Beyond the Veil of Tomorrow – Chapter 5

Setting up a meeting with Oats was no longer as easy as it had been. His elevation to the top post gave him bigger office space, more staff to manage his day-to-day and less spontaneous events in a rigidly organized schedule. Rather than work through a hierarchy, Cathy used her private line to call Oats and give him an honest heads-up about her plans.

'I do want to see you as well and congratulate you on your new position, but I also want to meet your replacement', she said quite frankly.

'Jealous or protecting your husband from a man-eater, and I don't mean that in a romantic way.'

Cathy laughed loudly. The thought of such an event didn't even cross her mind. 'I know my husband and what he is feeling is… '. Cathy chose not to elaborate.

Oats who had a great understanding of his former secretary, said nothing in response. He gave her a time instead. 'If she is tied up at that time, I will let you know.'

Pleased by the arrangement, Cathy got on with her day trying not to imagine what this woman, firmly set in her husband's nightmares, exuded in such an extraordinary way. And yet, her history, based on the information found online suggested major trauma not once but twice! As a child who suffered greatly, Cathy understood the traumas of childhood and how the memories could linger and impact day-to-day life. Her issues had been mitigated gently by the warmth and love of her husband and his amazing family but based on her search, Porsha Mansfeld may have been rehabilitated from her first trauma only to suffer a similar loss. Internalizing all that pain, fear and sorrow was bound to make its way out of her at some point. The position, she held, was endless and stressful. Keeping control was a daily task that would sap the energy of even the strongest.

Resolving to keep away one-sided thoughts until their meeting, Cathy firmly closed her mind to any more speculation and packed up her things to head over to the theatre where rehearsals were well underway again.

…

Hélène was always charmed by the people who came to help put together the show of her dreams. Some days it felt like a dream come true; others it was a nightmare. The problem of legal liabilities would always encroach on her performance expectations and yet, it was her ultimate goal to ensure that everyone was safe, comfortable beyond the stage of nervousness and ready to perform at their best. Hélène always had empathy for her student performers but in this case, she was working with some adults holding various forms of talent and energy. There were not a lot of main character roles needed but the four cast members who would carry the story needed to be able to sing and perform in a range of emotions.

Kardin had been pegged to play AN, Howard's father. The orchestra leader, Bryan Duguid suggested someone for the role of Desiree, Howard's mother. Extras were picked from a huge lineup of young talent but in all of that something didn't feel right. The arrival of her granddaughter helped to settle her mind.

'Mèmé, you know that you are telling a story in two different countries with wives who are really quite diverse in age. While AN may always seem old because of his white hair, perhaps the role of Desiree needs to be a more mature-looking woman, whereas Rivkah is always going to be young.'

'I thought that with makeup up we wouldn't really need to do that. I don't want to lose Kardin's voice for a minute but if I could find someone who could play a youthful but responsible Rivkah, we could divide up the role in a way that makes sense. Let me talk with Phillipe and see if he has any suggestions. It is a great observation, Cathy. Thank you.'

A warm hug added to the praise. Cathy was pleased she could add some support in different ways even if it was only to encourage her grandmother to envision other possibilities. Pleased with her meeting she left the theatre to head back to the Women's centre giving Holly a chance to go home and tend to her family's needs.

Breathing deeply, she worked to free her mind of all she had read about the unfortunate and newly installed Assistant District Attorney. She had no wish to develop a series of preconceived ideas of how she might self-present based on her research or Jacob's words. Sometimes it was just as important to live in the present moment as it was to try and meld past, present and future together. That sense of change which she felt so many times in recent months was beginning to reassert itself. Cathy preferred to steer clear of any more delving and get on with the jobs at hand. With a little bit of internal scolding, she settled into another busy afternoon at the center, giving the troubled women as much support as possible.

…

Getting personal time off shouldn't be such a hassle! In fact, by Thursday, Cathy had worked herself up into a state, wondering why she was bothering. Her husband's love was steadfast and no matter how aggrieved he was by an unsupportive boss; he still had the respect and admiration of his co-workers. Nonetheless, plans had been made. As she kissed her husband goodbye the smile of encouragement was stuck like glue to her features.

'Remember you have to get out by two. I can make up some story about us meeting later or whatever comes to mind, although I doubt, she'll ask.'

'You can always stop at Oats. He will understand.'

'I know, but her life intrigues me. I thought mine was challenging but hers seems utterly scary. Anyway, I am going to try and NOT think about it.'

Jacob looked deep into his wife's beautiful eyes and sighed. It was another moment in which he knew, that he would love her until he drew his last breath.

He left for work with a lighter step and few thoughts beyond the love he shared with his wife.

In the meantime, Cathy organized herself, ran over the morning routine and her plans to meet her former boss at 2:00 pm sharp. Within an hour she had Aislyn dressed and ready to enjoy her day at home with her grandmother and Sue who both had some exciting plans.

Cathy chose to walk despite the chill. She spent much of the time remembering her early days, working at the same office, with the same man who used to be her boss and the same office where she met her husband. The evolution of all those memories brought a huge smile to her face. In part, she allowed herself to feel the memories, pleased that they greatly outweighed the deep hurts and stresses of her early life.

Cathy made a quick stop at the theatre to check in with her grandmother. Hélène had lots of help and support, but she was taking on a huge commitment and needed the support of local New Yorkers to both manage the massive details of organizing the event and preparing the performers to do their best. Bryan Deguid was happily in charge of music but the actors performing, and their musical demands were left to Hélène who did not hesitate to cut and clean when performances did not meet her rigid standards. Cathy only stayed long enough to give her grandmother a break, answer a few questions, make a note of something needing research before continuing on to her destination.

…

Kurt Ootes couldn't have been more charming. His new secretary greeted Cathy with a lovely smile. She had hardly announced the arrival before Oats was at the door to his office, a huge welcoming grin on his face. After a warm hug, he turned to his secretary.

'Brenda, let me introduce you to my …. Goddaughter Cathy.'

She leaned in and shook hands longing to say that she used to have that job but the introduction as goddaughter seemed to preclude the past 'boss and worker' dynamic. In fact, after having given her away on her wedding day, Cathy truly felt as if Oats was indeed the father who had been there for her when her real father could not. They exchanged a few more polite words with Brenda before Oates drew her into his spacious office and invited her to sit.

'Jacob is still here. He is having some trouble getting away so we can talk and catch up for a bit. He will text you when the coast is clear.'

Cathy laughed at the absurdity of what now felt like a conspiracy. Nonetheless, Oats spent about ten minutes mostly inquiring about Catherine, for whom he had great admiration and a bit of a crush, before smiling at the most recent photos of Aislyn. When Jacob's text came through, Oates raised his eyebrows in that funny way of asking without talking. Cathy nodded, and took a deep breath prepared to meet the woman who had such a solitary impact on her husband.

…..

After the unexpected early visit from her granddaughter, Hélène spent a long time considering Cathy's suggestion about getting a younger person to play Rivkah. The important role that she played in the life of Reiba and Howard was worth leaving in the hands of someone who could display the kind of vulnerability and courage of a young woman who gave up everything in her quest to fulfill the destiny of the clan. Asher's unknown baby would go on to father Reiba, leaving Howard to be birthed halfway around the world with a different mother. Although the brothers would never know each other, Howard and his brother's daughter Reiba, would be reunited through a very strange twist of fate. Since Asher and Rivkah's love was the beginning of the story, the parts had to be filled by those who could engender pity from a skeptical audience, even as they admired their courage.

Hélène perused the list of her main players while envisioning the fascinating story. Her focus had been on the music. As long as someone could sing the part, how they looked didn't matter so much. In her pause, she looked in detail at the actress chosen to play Desiree.

Rather than push her brain to go beyond its already depleted resources, she called Phillipe hoping to get his sense of the road ahead. Phillipe hesitated at her concerns. The main issue had been hovering on the periphery of his own vision, but he felt tentative and yet hopeful in suggesting to his long-time friend that perhaps the part of Rivkah could be doable with Valery as the performer. He heard Helen's deep intake of breath. Obviously, it was something that she had not considered and yet, it would be a dream come true for her granddaughter who initially wanted to make a debut on the Broadway stage.

'I thought that with makeup we wouldn't really need to do much, but I forget that AN is actually a young man also. I don't want to lose Kardin's voice for a minute. He has a young face and can play AN in both parts, aging rapidly, due to his endless grief. Rivkah will always be a young woman. But Desiree is actually about 15 years older than her husband. The two women also have to have a similar look. So, a younger Rivkah and an older Desiree, with similar features makes sense.' Hélène was seeing and thinking at the same time. Slowing her breath to contain some rising excitement she burst out with a slew of questions.

'Is she ready, do you think? Would she be able to pull off a decent Russian accent while singing?'

The questions went on and on until Phillipe called a halt. 'You forget that my husband is Russian. Best coach I can think of.'

Hélène responded with a bit of condescension! 'You are not the only one. My husband also speaks Russian and is half Russian by blood.'

Phillipe laughed out loud. For a moment, they were both taken back in time to their university years when they were always in competition. 'Are you thinking what I am thinking?'

'I am and nothing has changed. You are always one step, well maybe a half step, ahead of me. It feels good to laugh. Can you tutor her Phillipe?'

Unsurprisingly, his answer was a simple 'she's ready'.

What a change, Hélène thought, remembering her granddaughter of the past. She was a hyperactive worrier, overdoing everything in a poor attempt to hide her grief at the early loss of her father and a burgeoning gay sexuality. Working and living with Phillipe and Vlad in California enabled her to create and develop her natural inherited skills under the professional eye of a master musician and a former policeman who taught the value of discipline in all aspects of life.

With a lighter heart, Hélène resumed the immediate tasks ahead.

…

Cathy tried hard to keep her curious mind under control. Who Porsha Mansfeld was in this life compared to past lives was yet to be discovered. Cathy put on her Social Worker's face, patience itself and one that she often used when interviewing women at the Centre. Oats suggested taking the stairs on the side of the building that would take them through the large room where the ADAs sat to do their prep work. Jacob's office was on the other side of the room, across from the office of the Director. To her surprise, there were still many staff who remembered Cathy from her time at the office. Everyone was polite, after all she was accompanied by the bureau chief, but Oats was not John Civco and his smiling face let everyone know his mood was upbeat.

After a few stops and kind words, mostly about Aislyn, they made their way towards Jacob's office. Before they could try and figure out how to approach Porcha's office, the door opened to reveal the secretary waiting. Clearly, she had been prewarned of the arrival of the boss with a guest.

'I heard you were in the office Mr. Ootes. Did you want to see Ms. Mansfeld? She is available for a few moments.'

Kurt smiled in response. News travels fast. He still wasn't used to being the top guy in the office. The secretary, who had barely started her new job, smiled tentatively.

'Thank you. I was actually looking for Jacob. This is his wife, Cathy.'

'Nice to meet you. Your husband is a great guy if you don't mind me sayin'.

I don't mind at all. To be honest, I think he is a great guy too!'

The sound of laughter seemed to penetrate the walls. The inner door opened suddenly and there, perfectly framed, stood a tall striking woman. In a heartbeat, Cathy was struck by the power and energy simmering below the surface. At 5'9 in her fancy shoes, Cathy was still a half head smaller than the magnificent woman who came forward.

'Come in please Mr. Ootes and…..Ms.….'

'Cathy Wells'

'Yes, of course. You are the wife of Jacob.'

The smile was frozen on her face. Like Jacob, Cathy did not extend a hand. Manual energy transfer was not a skill that Cathy had cultivated but her knowledge, garnered from the internet search brought forth a slew of mental pictures tumbling over each other fighting for first place in the line.

Sitting in the office, facing a woman whose life history was mesmerizing, Cathy realized how seldom she had come to the office to visit or to meet Jacob. Oats was a friend who now came to the house and generally, Jacob did not socialize with his colleagues. Once his job was done, he was off to the tunnels to attend to his family below or to work on his interest in Naturopathy. It was all a balance to the intense work at the DA's office. But, within minutes of sitting in the modernized office, Cathy was struck by the huge difference between the previous male-dominated heads versus a female boss. No matter how much Cathy's curiosity raged within, she appreciated the honour of seeing a woman in the chair.

'Congratulations on your new role here. I am so happy to see a woman progressing in this male-dominated world.'

'Thank you.'

'Years ago, Cathy used to be my personal assistant. She left me to start her own business.'

'Oh, and what's that?'

'My sister and I run a woman's shelter.'

'She makes it sound quite simple, but it is an enterprise that not only takes in battered and abused women, but they also have a program where women can learn and develop skills for future use.'

At first, Cathy wanted to give Oats a look but instead watched her hostess intently, seeing a play of emotions across her face. Cathy wondered how this woman could talk, eat, and put on make-up. Hardly a muscle moved in her face.

'Quite an enterprise! It isn't easy to get funding for such a project.' Only her beautifully shaped lips moved with the words.

'It's privately funded by the community in which we live. My sister and I used our experiences to create an environment in which women could feel both safe and comfortable.'

'Your experiences?'

The tilt of the head was almost amusing. Cathy didn't want to share her history at that moment. Clearly, as young women, Ms. Mansfeld would wonder what experiences the two sisters could have that would enable them to understand life on the street. Cathy pondered what a good response would be.

'It's quite a long story and I don't want to take any more of your time. I know how busy this office can be and no doubt my husband is looking for me as well. However, if you are interested in a visit to our center or more information, I would be happy to meet with you again or take you on a tour of the facility.'

Clearly, Ms. Mansfeld was not used to being sidetracked. The impenetrable glare would have frozen a lesser soul. Cathy, however, was immune from suggestive stares. With a smile, she rose from her seat, giving Oats a clear signal that she was ready to go. We all have secrets, Cathy thought. I will share mine when you are ready to share yours. With those words implicit in her smile, she took Oat's hand and exited the room offering a wave to the still-curious secretary.

'Did you get everything you wanted for today?'

'I did! And more in fact. Jacob is buzzing me so I gotta go. Thank you.'

Cathy wrapped arms around her former boss and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Long after she disappeared behind the elevator doors, Oats remained standing in the corridor wondering what on earth he had just witnessed. Beyond seeing two women have an extremely short conversation he couldn't see what was said or done that would make a difference.