Chapter 44
Catherine laughed at her friend's perplexed look. She ticked her answers off on her fingers, "You weren't a burglar, and you aren't a he! Plus, I'm not naked, I said I was getting dressed, and the door wasn't open, only unlocked."
Jenny shook her head as she watched Cathy slide into her shoes, and grab a light jacket. "I'm ready now," she informed her friend.
Having been told that the tunnels were on the cool side Jenny had also dressed a bit warmer than the weather Above called for. She told Cathy to lead on and the two were on their way to the basement.
Vincent met them at the bottom of the ladder leading from her basement doorway. He greeted them and they headed to the dining hall.
It was fun to watch Jenny as the three of them made their way down the passages. Her eyes flitted every where, but that wasn't the amusing part. What made it so funny was all there was to see were the dirt floors, and stone walls lit occasionally by a torch mounted on them. Jenny, however, seemed to find it endlessly fascinating.
The passageways were oddly empty, granted Catherine hadn't been there very many times, but she could never remember them being completely empty like they were today. Vincent sensed her confusion, but he knew that the community didn't get many new visitors so they would all be waiting to meet them in the dining hall.
It was as if every one in the room had been waiting for their arrival. As the three entered all eyes focused on them. Vincent himself had never been comfortable being the center of attention after Father had drilled it into his head that his differences were not something to be happy about. So he had always found ways to assist the community while still remaining in the background. For example, he would direct plays rather than act in them.
Now here he stood between two women who were of interest to everyone in the room and it was cleared they were looking to him to introduce them. Taking a breath, he cleared his throat and the room instantly fell quiet. He began by indicating Catherine, "I know some of you met Catherine Chandler when she was here recovering, and I believe everyone is aware that she is our benefactor for the new school readers and large quantity of yarn we received." Then turning slightly he went on, "This is Jenny Aaronson, she is a long time friend of Catherine's. She is a book publisher and would like to become a Helper by donating any extra books that they have."
A round of applause greeted his words and as some people started towards them for personal introductions. Vincent held up his hands and asked, "Will every one please let these ladies fill their plates and get settled before you come to say hello?"
The few that were approaching fell back with smiles and Vincent guided Catherine and Jenny to the food line.
As Catherine filled her plate she took a moment to tell William how good the stew smelled and thanked him for such a nice meal. He looked her right in the eye, winked and said, "No, thank you."
Vincent caught this comment and suppressed a smile at Catherine's start of surprise. He had told only William who was responsible for the meat delivery and that very large teddy bear of a man had almost broke down in tears when he thought of how amazing the gift would be for the entire community. He had wanted Vincent to convey his special thanks to Catherine, but Vincent told William he could do it himself the next time she came to visit the tunnels.
When they reached the end of the food line, Vincent guided the two ladies over to the table where Father and Mary were already sitting.
Father, proper gentleman that he was, stood as the three arrived and offered his hand to Jenny as Vincent introduced him, "Jenny this is Father. He is the leader of our community and the man that raised me."
"Ms. Aaronson it is good to meet you," Father said.
"A pleasure to meet you too Sir." She wondered at Vincent's odd wording of the introduction and why he hadn't told her his father's name. Mentally shrugging it off, she looked at Mary and asked, "Is this your lovely wife?"
To be continued….