Catherine scowled at the brief in front of her. The first drafthad been prepared by a recent addition to the staff, fresh out of lawschool and with an extremely high opinion of himself. The opinion wasnot shared at that moment by Catherine. Devin had done ten timesbetter than this mess, and without benefit of such minor details asan official legal education.
Catherine sighed. Making even a polyester purse out of this sow'sear would take up most of the afternoon. She didn't needthis--November was depressing enough all by itself. Samhain was pastand Thanksgiving was over a week away. Vincent had been away fordays; the heavy rains threatened to flood the lower Tunnels and allhands that could be spared were dealing with the problem.
"Cathy?"
Catherine looked up to see the face of salvation. "Jenny! Am Iglad to see you! Please tell me you want to go to lunch and rescue mefrom this mess."
"Can you? I'm sorry to pop in without warning like this; I knowit's hard for you to get away. I just took a chance."
"Jenny--something's wrong, isn't it? Are you all right? Is theresomething I can do?"
"I'm fine, Cathy, honestly. But I do need to talk to you aboutsomething. It's important."
"Jenny, getting me out of this place right now is your good deedfor the week. I can't face this pitiful excuse for a brief on anempty stomach. Let's go."
Catherine was surprised at Jenny's choice of restaurant. KnowingJenny's budget was much more limited than her own, Catherine wasalways careful to pick inexpensive places when it was her turn tochoose. Jenny always insisted on going Dutch, frustrating Catherine'sschemes to take her to places like this. Quiet spaciousness of thissort didn't come cheap.
"I supposed you're wondering why we came to a place like this."
Catherine started. "After all these years, I should be used tothat intuition of yours," she smiled, "but it still startles me whenyou say just what I'm thinking."
Jenny jabbed at her salad as if she were more interested inpunishing it than eating it. "I wanted to make sure we couldn't beoverheard. What I need to talk to you about is confidential." Jennygave Catherine a pleading look. "I hate to even ask you, Cathy. Yourlife has been complicated enough lately without me dumping somethingelse on you. But I couldn't think of anyone else who could help. It'sbecause of what you told me lastsummer--remember?" Catherine tensed.She remembered only too well ...
The heat and humidity of late August turned New York intosomething it would take a Dante to describe. Catherine Chandler,however, was cool and comfortable. The Tunnels were wonderfullypleasant, even better than an air-conditioned apartment on theeighteenth floor. Besides, darkness came too late in the summer; shecouldn't bear to wait that long to see Vincent. The sound of thewaterfall in the background only reinforced the aura of coolness andpeace. So different from Above, where a hot and surly citizenry madeNew York more unappealing than usual.
"Catherine?" Vincent broke into her somnolent reverie. "You seemvery content at present ... but I detected some concern in youearlier. Is there anything I can do?"
Catherine sighed. "It's no big thing, Vincent, really. I just didsomething impulsively I may come to regret, that's all."
"Tell me," he encouraged.
Catherine shifted around to face him. "It was after you told meyou'd be away for a few days doing inspections. I was talking toJenny on the phone, and she sounded so ... hot. Her place is a lotless fancy and a lot less cool than mine. Before I knew it, I'dinvited her to come with me to the Connecticut house for the weekend.It's so nice there, and I almost never go there anymore. I reallyshould sell it, now that Dad ... "
At the sudden catch in her voice, Vincent put his arm aroundCatherine's shoulders and pulled her close. "That was a very generousimpulse on your part. Why should you regret it?"
Catherine lifted her head from Vincent's shoulder. "Because itmeans I'll be trapped for two whole days with a person who's sointuitive she would have burned as a witch a few hundred years ago. Aperson who's known I have someone special in my life ever since thenight you saved me from drowning." Catherine shook her head. "Ifprevarication and evasiveness were Olympic events I'd have two goldmedals, I've gotten that good. But what can I do with someone whosees behind words? Those dreams Jenny had about me being in danger--Iwonder what else she dreams about me that she hasn't told me? Itmakes me nervous."
"Keeping our secret places a great burden on you," Vincent saidunhappily. "You are so alone in this ..."
"It's worth it, Vincent," Catherine replied emphatically. "It's nomore than any Helper has to do, after all. At least I have Peternow."
"I'm sure it will be all right, Catherine. From what you have toldme, Jenny is a true friend to you. Surely you have nothing to fearfrom her."
Catherine was congratulating herself at how well the weekend wasgoing, after all. Jenny seemed delighted to escape the city, and theyhad spent the whole day swimming in the lake, eating things thatweren't good for them, and generally behaving like they were back incollege. Now they sat contentedly on the porch, working on monsterglasses of iced tea.
"So, Cath, when are you gonna tell me about this special guyyou're keeping under wraps? What's the big secret?"
Catherine had become adept at fielding verbal missiles like thatwithout flinching. Perhaps, if she hadn't had a mouthful of iced teaat the time, she would have been able to turn away Jenny's questionswith the same adroit and meaningless phrases she had used with somany others. Perhaps.
"Cathy, are you OK?" Jenny pounded her on the back as she chokeddramatically. "Gosh, I'm sorry, Cath, I didn't think it was that biga deal. What's going on, anyway?"
Gradually getting her breath back, Catherine began to capitulate.Clearly, keeping Jenny in the dark was only making things worse.Surely she could tell her something ...
"Is this the same guy that made you hightail it out of NancyTucker's in the middle of the night? Has it really been going on forover a year?" Jenny ran a hand through her hair, agitated.
"I'm not just being nosy, Cathy, honestly--I care about you. AndI've been having these dreams about you ..."
Oh, God. "What dreams?" Catherine asked warily.
"Actually," Jenny admitted sheepishly, "I've been having reallyweird dreams about you ever since you disappeared that time. I eventhought of calling your dad then, but I was afraid they'd put me inthe loony bin. Damn! I wish my dreams were more ... literal. Likelast spring--it wasn't much help dreaming about flowers, and youchoking. It would have been a lot more useful if I could've dreamedthat weirdo's name and address."
"Jenny--your dreams really did help. They made me take the wholething very seriously, and Joe too. It means a lot to me that you carethat much. I'll never forget what you did for me then."
"Well, I'm still glad I didn't call your dad when you disappearedand tell him I thought you'd been taken to Egypt."
"What?" Whatever Catherine expected to hear, it wasn't that. "Whydid you think I was in Egypt?""Because I dreamed you were in anunderground room with an Egyptian god."
"An Egyptian god?"
"Well, he looked like a man with a lion's head ... isn't theresome Egyptian god like that? I thought maybe all that stone I sawmeant you were in a pyramid." Jenny sounded increasingly embarassed."Dumb, right? Unless ... I don't suppose you were in Egypt?"
"No," Catherine admitted. Oh, Jenny, she thought. Ifonly you knew how literal your dreams can be, after all.
Jenny sighed. "I didn't think so. I figured I must have beentotally off base when I kept dreaming about you in that placeafterward, when I knew for sure you were in New York, not in Egypt.Rats. Totally useless symbolism again. Batting zilch."
Catherine took a deep breath. "Jenny, I haven't told anyone aboutthis because I've made promises to people who depend on me to keeptheir secret. I'll tell you what I can, but I can't give youspecifics."
"Cathy ..." Jenny's voice turned very serious. "My mother wouldn'thave gotten out of Germany if there hadn't been people willing tohelp and willing to keep secrets. You don't have to tell me anythingif you don't want to."
Catherine reached across to take her friend's hand. "I do want to,Jenny. You're my best friend, you deserve to know something ..."Catherine smiled briefly. "Even if it's just to keep you fromimagining something worse."
Leaning back in her chair, Catherine organized her wordscarefully. "When I was attacked and dumped in the park, I was foundby a man whose father is a doctor. This man was afraid I'd die if Ididn't get help immediately, so he took me home, and the two of themtook care of me."
"But, Cathy ..." Jenny sounded confused. "Why did you disappearfor ten days? Why didn't these people notify the police right away?"
"The two people that saved me are part of a larger community whoall take care of each other. Most of them slipped through the cracksof our whole system of justice and social services. They've donenothing wrong; they're very careful about who they accept into theircommunity. It's just that ... well, the letter of the law and thespirit of it aren't necessarily the same thing, are they?"
"My people know that only too well," Jenny replied seriously. "So... I guess they were taking a big risk inhelping you, withoutknowing if you'd keep their secret. That says something prettyimportant about them right there."
Catherine was overcome with gratitude at her friend's quickunderstanding. "They've given a refuge to so many deserving people,Jenny--especially children." Catherine's love for those who hadbecome her family shone in her words. "They've made somethingwonderful, something that works. If the authorities found out aboutthem, they'd be crushed by a well-meaning bureaucracy that would ruineverything."
Jenny was quiet for a minute, digesting Catherine's revelations."OK, I understand so far--but how does Mr. Right fit into this?That's what he is, isn't he?"
"If I said no, you wouldn't believe it for a minute, would you?"
"Nope. You might as well wear a sign."
"His name is Vincent." It was the verbal equivalent of a caress,and not lost on Jenny. "He's the one who found me in the park. Formonths afterward, he stayed away and I didn't know how to find him.He finally came back to see how I was, and I was determined Iwouldn't let him disappear from my life again. He didn't just save mylife, Jenny, he gave me the courage to live it like it should belived."
"So, was this love at first sight?" Jenny asked.
"Not exactly," Catherine said ruefully, remembering. "I caredabout him from the beginning, but it took awhile to for me to realizeI was in love with him ... or maybe to admit it."
"Cathy, there's more to it than that. Why is this guy such amystery? You're not the kind of person that would be ashamed ofsomebody because they were from the wrong side of the tracks insteadof a Yuppie clone. Nobody knows that better than I do."
Catherine looked out over the water for a long moment. This wasthe hardest part to explain. "You're right, there's more to it thanthat. For one thing, Vincent has no legal existence, and he's saferthat way. He was a foundling, raised in that community since he wasan infant. His liberty, if not his safety would be in jeopardyoutside it. You see, he looks ... different."
"Different? You mean, different enough so that he'd be acuriosity? Like the Elephant Man or something?"
Catherine could not keep the bitterness out of her voice."Different enough so that some people would be frightened enough orcruel enough to hurt him. Different enough so that the ones whodidn't want to kill him would treat him like a freak or anexperiment. Jenny, he's the most loving, sensitive man I've everknown. I'd die before I'd let that happen to him!"
As Catherine's voice broke, Jenny closed the gap between them,holding her friend as she cried tears of anger and pain mixed withrelief. When the storm subsided, Jenny spoke again, still huggingCatherine tightly.
"Cathy, I can't believe you've been keeping all this in for solong! I swear I won't say a word of this to anybody, and you don'thave to tell me another thing. Just remember you're not alone, OK?Talk to me when you need to, even if you can only talk in riddles.Promise?"
Catherine could only nod, not trusting herself to speak.Promise.
"Cathy?"
"Sorry, Jenny. I was remembering Connecticut. Vividly. Tell mewhat's wrong."
Jenny frowned as she continued to attack her salad. "There's thiswoman who works at the publishing house as a secretary. She's got aterrible problem that made me think ofwhat you said about the law,and people falling between the cracks."
"What happened? Tell me, Jenny."
"It's her ex-husband. He has visitation rights with the kids ...Cathy, she has evidence that he's sexually abusing them during thosevisits. God, they're only eight and ten years old." "Oh, Jenny ... Iwish I could say your friend is paranoid, but it's all too possible.What kind of evidence does she have?""She took the kids to one ofthose low-cost mental health clinics when they started acting strangewhenever they came back from visits with their father. There's adoctor there who found medical evidence of abuse, and a shrink whoagrees."
"Why hasn't she gone to the police?" Catherine asked. "That soundslike pretty good evidence."
"Because," Jenny replied bitterly, "the ex in question is a cop. Amodel citizen. Besides, she's from Chile originally. To her, policeweren't people who helped you, they were the ones who 'disappeared'you. She thought things were supposed to be different in thiscountry, but her ex hasn't exactly done anything to give her a goodopinion of New York's Finest."
"Damn," Catherine exclaimed emphatically. "What about taking it tocourt?""She has. Her court date is in two weeks--with one JudgeBradley Worthington."
"Oh, my God." Catherine put her head in her hands. "Not'Worthless' Worthington."
"Yeah. What do you know about him?" Jenny shook her head. "Hecan't be as bad as I've heard, can he?"
"He's worse!" Catherine replied, distress evident in her voice."He distrusts expert witnesses, and he thinks all women arehysterical liars. I've seen him dismiss cases against child abusersthat I would have staked my life were airtight. Your friend is rightto be concerned. People have been trying to get him kicked off thebench for years. We may eventually succeed, but not soon enough tohelp."
"Well, Rosa--that's my friend's name--has heard those stories too.She loves those kids too much to risk losing this case. She's alsoheard about women who've sent their kids into hiding rather than turnthem over to abusive fathers, and gone to jail because they won't saywhere they are. Or women who've just taken the kids and run away withthem. I know she'll do it, Cathy. It took a lot of convincing to gether to wait until I talked to you."
"Jenny--what do you want me to do?"
"What I don't want you to do is get yourself in trouble. I knowyou're an officer of the court, and what Rosa intends to do isn'tlegal--even though it's right."
"Don't worry about ..."
"Not another word, Cathy. I don't want you to risk any trouble atwork over this. I'm not talking to you because you're in the DA'soffice. I know this is a lot to ask, Cathy, but ... do you thinkVincent's people would be willing to help? I don't want you involvedany more, but if you could just ask them to meet me or something,maybe they could give us a place to start at least, a contact ..."
Moved by the desperation in Jenny's tone, Catherine made herdecision. "I'll do what I can, Jenny. I can't give you anyguarantees; they usually take a long time to decide to take someonein. But there are ... precedents for this, in cases of emergency. Letme talk to them; I'm sure they can help somehow."
"Oh, Cathy, I can't tell you what this would mean to Rosa! Believeme, she's a great person who deserves a lot better life than she'shad."
"Jenny, I'll help, but on one condition." Catherine told hersternly.
"What? Anything," Jenny agreed fervently.
"Please," Catherine begged, "eat that salad while you can stillrecognize it."
"Catherine, your friend's story has touched us, but you ask agreat deal--we would risk much, taking this unknown woman on faith.Can you be sure her story is true?"
"Father, I know I'm asking a lot; I'm grateful that the Councilwas willing to meet with me on such short notice and listen to me.You know that for for almost six months I've been working mainly withchild and spouse abuse cases." Catherine looked him directly in theeye.
Father nodded, a look of understanding passing between them. Heknew, and he knew why Catherine had chosen to remove herself from thedangers of investigation into the safer, if more painful environs ofthe courtroom and law library. She would not put herself in danger,because that put Vincent in danger. This past Spring Vincent had beenforced to resort to violence too often. The anguish of that, fueledby Vincent's self-doubts and Paracelsus' madness, had almostdestroyed the man Catherine loved above all. Never again would sherisk getting into situations that would trigger Vincent's protectiverage. The consequences were too painful, too dangerous.
"I know something about the people involved," Catherine continued."I know that judge only too well, and I know the reputation of theclinic. I know this sort of thing happens all too often. And I knowJenny. I believe Rosa's version of events, and I trust Jenny'sjudgment of people."
"Catherine ..." Rebecca regarded Catherine speculatively. "Perhapsit would help us if you told us something about this friend of yours.How long have you known her?"
"It's a long story, but if you're willing ..." A murmur of assentmoved around the table, and she continued."Jenny and I became friendsour freshman year in college. She was a scholarship student atRadcliffe, and a lot of my fellow students wouldn't have anything todo with her. Not only was she Jewish, she wasn't rich. Her parentsrun a deli in Brooklyn, and not the upscale kind, either. Not acroissant in sight, but bagels to die for."
As Catherine looked around the table, she decided William was inher camp already. Anyone who preferred bagels tocroissants elicitedhis undying respect.
"Actually, Jenny comes from a long line of scholars and poets onher mother's side. Jenny's mother Leah barely escaped the Holocaust.Her parents saw it coming, and got her out of Germany when she was anadolescent. It was a near thing, at that ... if plenty of people, Jewand Gentile alike, hadn't been willing to keep secrets at the risktheir lives, Leah never would have made it."
Catherine steeled herself to continue. "The rest of her familywasn't so lucky. Not a single one of Jenny's relatives left inGermany survived the camps. Not one."
"Dear God," Mary whispered. "The poor child."
Catherine felt Vincent's hand take hers, and clung to itgratefully. "Leah eventually made it to New York, and met Jenny'sfather after the war. They're good people, hard-working and generous,even though they don't have much themselves. They remind me a lot ofmany of our Helpers."
"I can see why your friend was sympathetic, Catherine," Fathersaid gently. "How much do you trust her judgment?"
Catherine searched for the right words. "Jenny's not easy to fool,Father. She has a degree of intuition that almost scares mesometimes; she judges people more by what's inside than what'soutside."
Father swept his glance around the table. "Does anyone havefurther questions? No? Catherine, is there anything more you'd liketo say?"
"Only that Jenny's life, and her mother's, have taught her someimportant things. She knows that evil is real, and how important itis for good people to help each other. She knows that people's livescan depend on keeping secrets."
Although the rain had stopped, the general bleakness of the daydid little for Catherine's spirits as she squinted against a coldwind, looking for the cafe where she had agreed to meet Jenny andRosa. When she finally found it, she was grateful for its warmth andquiet. The two women she had come to meet were tucked away in a dimand inconspicuous corner. Jenny seemed nervous performing theintroductions, but Catherine felt an immediate liking for the small,soft-spoken woman her old friend had championed so forcefully.Nevertheless, Catherine felt her responsibility to the Tunnelcommunity keenly, and had to judge Rosa for herself before finallybringing her Below. The Council's support only made Catherine moredetermined to make sure this was the right thing for both sides.
"Rosa," Catherine asked seriously, "how much has Jenny told youabout the place you'll be going to?"
"Only that it is a safe place, un refugio with good people.She said they take care of los ninos. This is a very goodthing. My babies must be safe." Rosa's voice was soft, but when shespoke of her children it became edged with steely determination.
"I worry ..."
"What do you worry about, Rosa?" Catherine asked.
"This place is in New York, no?" At Catherine's nod, shecontinued. "My husband is good at finding people. His friends inla policia know him, but not me so well. They will believe himthat I am crazy, that he wants Maria and Teresa because he lovesthem." Tears of grief and anger filled her dark eyes.
"Many will help him look. New York is big, but how can I hide mychildren from such a one?"
Impulsively, Catherine took Rosa's hand. "Believe me, no one willfind any of you in this place," Catherine assured her. "But I wantyou to understand, none of you can leave there, at least for quiteawhile; we can't risk having any of you spotted on the streets. Youand your children might find it a very confining life. I want to makesure you realize what you're getting into."
Rosa faced Catherine with conviction. "I have read about women whohave gone to jail because they have hidden their children and willnot tell where. I would have done that if Jenny had not told me ofyou. The place you take me to is better than that, no? And I willhave my babies with me."
Catherine nodded, satisfied. "You certainly will. These peopledon't have much in the way of possessions, and they work hard. But inthe things that count, they're the richest people I know."
Rosa shook her head. "When Jenny first tells me of this place, Ithink it seems una fabula, you know, a story for children; afairy tale. But I know Jenny, and she tells me it is true, and shetrusts you." For the first time she smiled, transforming her wholeface. "Now I see you, and I believe too. You are as good as Jennysays."
"So, Cathy," Jenny interjected, "what's the next step? I want tobe sure nobody knows you're involved. How can we arrange this withoutmaking it too obvious? So far Rosa's husband hasn't doneanything--he's probably too complacent, knowing about that judge. ButI don't think Rosa should push her luck."
Rosa agreed. "I am afraid to wait long. I do not trust him."
Catherine leaned forward and became very businesslike. "A few daysto prepare shouldn't be a risk. If you have things you want tobring--favorite books or toys for the children, clothes, as long asthey're not too fancy--mail them to this address. It's a roominghouse run by one of our Helpers, she'll see you get them. When you'reready to leave, it will look less suspicious if you're not carryinganything."
Catherine turned to Jenny. "Do you usually encounter Rosa often atwork? Will it look normal if you go talk to her?"
Jenny nodded. "Rosa does a lot of my typing; I'm always giving herstuff to do and apologizing 'cause it's late."
Rosa smiled fondly. "No one will wonder at that."
"Good," Catherine approved. "In a few days, some innocuousdelivery boy will bring you a package, Jenny, like you get all thetime at work. It will contain a note that will just be signed'Father'. The note will tell you where to go. After you've memorizedthe location, flush the note and tell Rosa as soon as you can do sowithout looking like there's any connection."
Jenny nodded enthusiastically. "I like it. That shouldn't look atall unusual, and your messenger will never be seen talking to Rosadirectly."
"Exactly." Catherine continued. "Rosa, you said you and thechildren often go shopping in the evening, or out to a fast foodplace. We'll make sure you're in a part of town that makes it looklike another one of those everyday expeditions. If your ex-husbanddoes try to track you down, nobody will be able to say you didanything out of the ordinary--except vanish into thin air."
"I suppose," Jenny admitted disconsolately, "I wouldn't be a goodidea for me to come along for moral support?"
"I'm sorry, Jenny," Catherine answered sadly. "It would be betterif you aren't seen with Rosa, so her husband won't come around askingquestions."
"And the fewer people that know about the place Rosa's going, thebetter, right?"
"Right." Catherine sighed. "You don't know how much I wish--well,never mind. Rosa, I'm sure I'll see you again, but not until afteryou and your children are safe." Catherine rose from the table."Jenny--you're the best. I'll let you know how it all comes out, Ipromise."
Late the next afternoon, Catherine was congratulating herself atthe unusual pace at which the contents of her "in" basket wereshrinking when the phone rang. Her mind half on the call and half onthe work in front of her, she became alert immediately when sherealized it was Jenny--an agitated and frightened Jenny.
"What's wrong?"
"Cathy, I'm calling from a pay phone. Rosa and her kids are withme. Her husband went to the kids' school and tried to sweet-talk theprincipal into letting him take the kids out; gave some cock-and-bullstory about Rosa being in the hospital. Fortunately, that school'shad too much much experience with divorced parents and custody fightsto fall for it. He pretended it was no big deal and left withoutthem, but Rosa's terrified he's going to try a snatch. After schoolthe kids came to tell Rosa at work. They're afraid to go home in casehe's waiting there."
"Damn!" Catherine came to a quick decision. "Where are you? Okay,I'm going to give you the address of a little grocery store. Gothere, ask for Michael Ng and tell him I sent you. He'll know what todo. I'll meet you as soon as I can. I think we've just run out oftime."
Catherine left the cab a few blocks away and made her way by acircuitous route to the Vietnamese market tucked inconspicuouslyamong a block full of similar establishments. She doubted there wasany way she could have been followed, but caution had become secondnature to her. She greeted Michael casually and they chatted for afew minutes. When it became clear that she had no unwanted company,one of the Ng children escorted her to the basement.
"Cathy!" Jenny cried. "I've never been so glad to see you."
"I am so sorry, Catherine, to put you to this trouble ..." Rosabegan, but Catherine interrupted her. "Rosa, don't be silly,"Catherine answered. "Everything will be all right, we've just movedthe timetable up a little."
She crouched down to greet the two wide-eyed little girls whoclung to Rosa's hands. "Well, today you're going to have a pretty bigadventure. You're going somewhere different from anywhere you've everbeen. You'll be safe there, I promise. There'll be lots of otherchildren to play with, and all sorts of fascinating and magicalthings. Are you ready?"
Both children nodded, their faces very serious. Fear began to bereplaced by curiosity at this strange but intriguing prospect.
Catherine turned to Jenny. "Don't look so woebegone. If you'vecome this far, it won't hurt for you to see Rosa's welcomingcommittee. Come on."
Mary Ng helped Catherine move the boxes which concealed theentrance to the Tunnels. After her charges were safely through,Catherine hugged the girl. "Thank your father for helping us outonsuch short notice. And thank you."
"No problem. I'll collect when I need references for law school."She winked at Catherine, and moved the boxes back.
Leaving her friends to stare to their heart's content, Catherinefound a rock and tapped out a long message on the pipes. Listening tothe reply, Catherine smiled to herself as she watched them. It wouldbe difficult to say who looked more wide-eyed, Jenny or theeight-year-old Teresa. After a back-andforth exchange that lastedseveral minutes, Catherine returned her full attention to them.
"It'll be a little while; the welcoming committee wasn't expectingyou for a while yet, but they'll be here soon."
Catherine smiled at the children to ease their residual fear."Would you like me to tell you about some of the things you'll get tosee here?" The children nodded. "Well, there's this beautifulwaterfall ..."
Not long after, they became aware of the sound of footstepsapproaching. Catherine realized that Father was in the lead, butcouldn't tell at first who accompanied him. As they came closer, sherecognized Lena and Julio. That young man had cured Lena's lingeringinfatuation with Vincent in the best way possible, and the happiestfor all concerned. The young couple didn't know it yet, but Williamwas already planning menus for their wedding feast.
Father smiled as Catherine introduced him to each of her chargesin turn. She was a little worried about his reaction to Jenny'spresence, and sighed inwardly with relief when he greeted her with asmuch warmth as the others.
Beginning to relax at this reception, Rosa's face lit up atJulio's greeting. "¡Bienvenido! Rosa, a usted y vuestrasniñas. Yo se tendran ustedes felicidad con nosotros."Switching to English, he introduced Lena.
"Hello," Lena said, all smiles. "I came here less than a year ago,myself, and it's been the best year in my whole life. I'll help youget settled, and don't be afraid to ask me anything you want, OK?"
As Catherine began to bid Rosa goodbye, Father interrupted her."Catherine--I am sure you would like to see your friends settled in,wouldn't you? Can you spare the time now?"
Catherine was in a quandary. "I could, but I want to make sureJenny gets home all right."
Father turned to the silent Jenny, who was trying to blend intothe stone wall without missing anything that went on. "I am extendingthe invitation to you as well, Jenny." Jenny smiled in delightedsurprise. Catherine stared in astonishment.
Taking Catherine's hand, Father spoke seriously."Catherine, yourfriend has impressed all of us with her willingness to help another.Besides, it's about time you had someone else on your side of theriver." Chuckling at Catherine's bemused look, Father offered her hisarm. "I'll explain later," he promised as the expedition began tomove off toward the Hub.
Many Tunnel residents had drifted to Father's study to greet thenew arrivals. Rosa was concerned that the sudden change in theircarefully-laid plans caused them to arrive with only the clothes ontheir backs. The other clothes and few treasured possessions they hadhoped to bring were at this moment half-packed in Rosa's apartment.Mouse eagerly volunteered to liberate them, but Jamie distracted himand adroitly led him away before he could discover where Rosa hadlived.
Mary assured the three of them that many had come Below with evenless, and William began to quiz them about their favorite foods. Acontingent of children arrived to look over Maria and Teresa, tryingnot too seem too obvious about it. When their charges began to look alittle overwhelmed by it all, Lena and Julio firmly extricated thesmall family from its well-wishers and led them off to their chambersto settle in.
As the crowd began to dissipate, Father nodded sagely as Jenny andCatherine sank gratefully into the chairs he indicated. "It seems thenew residents you have brought us will fit in nicely," Father saidwith satisfaction. "Assuming they can survive this initial burst ofattention and curiosity. I am glad we were able to help. The childrenwill be safe here, and with love and time, the girls will heal, Ipromise you."
"I never even thought of that," Jenny admitted. "I never thoughtbeyond getting them somewhere safe."
Catherine patted Jenny's arm with reassurance. "There are plentyof people here who are very good at dealing with children who'vesuffered what Maria and Teresa have. Many of the children here werevictims of abuse of one kind or another; Father and the others havehad all too much experience with this sort of thing. They'll do morefor them than anyplace Above could."
"Lena will be invaluable," Father added. "She is rather new hereherself and remembers how overwhelming it can seem at first. She alsoalso suffered similar abuse as a child, and can reassure Rosa's girlsit is not the end of the world."
Jenny found it hard to concentrate on what was being said; she wasstill numb from the reality of this amazing place that Catherine hadkept secret for so long. It wasn't anything like she expected. Shehad been thinking in terms of some little urban commune, and insteadshe'd been taken to a whole other world. It reminded her of the booksshe had read as a child-Pellucidar, or fairy hills--when she emergedfrom here, would she find that years had passed Above?
She was so distracted she barely noticed the low-voicedconversation the man they called Father was having with Cathy, butrealized it must have been pretty important when she saw the look onher friend's face. Mostly astonished happiness, Jenny decided, butalso ... uncertainty? fear?
"Poor Jenny--this has been a bit much for you without warninghasn't it?" Catherine sounded unaccountably nervous.
"Do you think you could stand one more surprise tonight?"
Pulling herself together, Jenny focused her attention onCatherine. "I come of pretty tough stock, remember. I can take it.Are you going to show me the unicorn stables, or Gollum, or what?"Catherine smiled in spite of herself. "Close. Father tells me Vincentwants to meet you."
Jenny was delighted. For the first time she realized that Cathy'smystery man hadn't been in evidence. She was dying to meet theparagon at last, and find out what was so special about him. The lookon Cathy's face, and the tone of her voice, on the rare occasionswhen she mentioned Vincent caused Jenny to marvel. In all the yearsshe'd known Catherine Chandler, Jenny had never seen her act that wayabout anyone. Not even close.
Literally jumping out of her chair at the prospect, Jenny watchedas Catherine and Father traded an unreadable look, and the older mansqueezed her friend's hand as Catherine rose from her chair.
"I just realized friend Vincent wasn't one of the greeters," Jennyoffered. "Is he far away?"
"No, his chamber's right next door. He usually stays away when newresidents arrive. Vincent can be ... intimidating to some people; hewants them to have a chance to get used to the place before they meethim."
"Cathy ..." Jenny was uncertain, for a moment how to continue."Why are you so nervous? You've already told me Vincent is different,although you've been pretty vague about just how. Do you really thinkI'm going to embarass you--not to mention myself--by staring ormaking some stupid remark?"
Catherine stopped and turned to Jenny. "I'm sorry, Jenny," sheapologized. "It's just that you're my best friend, and Vincent is..."
"Yeah, I know what Vincent is," Jenny teased.
"I guess this meeting is very important to me," Catherineadmitted. "Let's go before you burst with curiosity."
At first the room they entered seemed empty to Jenny. The onlyillumination came from candles on a table in the center of thechamber. When Catherine turned unerringly to face a shadowed corner,Jenny realized someone was there a split-second before she heard themost indescribable voice ...
"Welcome, Jenny. I am glad to meet someone so important toCatherine."
Jenny remembered Catherine telling her that she had heardVincent's voice for days before she had ever seen him. No wonder shefell for him, Jenny thought as she replied. "I could say the samething about you."
She watched Catherine walk over to the shadowy figure and put herarms around him. As he returned the embrace Jenny had an impressionof size and controlled power, but was unable to see his featuresclearly. Golden hair caught the candlelight as he bent to kiss thetop of Catherine's head but his face remained in shadow.
Jenny decided some encouragement was needed. "I want to thank youfor what you've done for my friend Rosa and her kids. You've got afantastic place down here. I'm honored that you trusted me enough tolet me see it, and to meet you."
"Indeed," the voice replied, "it is I who must thank you. I amgrateful for your concern when that disturbed man was stalkingCatherine. Your support meant a great deal to her at that time ...and to me as well. Catherine's happiness means everything to me."
"Well," Jenny said brightly, "I guess we have something in commonright there. Cathy's been a good friend to me for a long time. I'mglad to see her so happy. It would be an honor to shake the hand ofthe man who's done that for her."
For a moment, it was so quiet that Jenny was sure Vincent andCatherine must be holding their breaths. Then he stepped forward intothe light.
Jenny's eyes widened as she automatically extended her hand. Shefound her self grinning delightedly from ear to ear, to the apparentsurprise of Vincent and Catherine. Probably not a common reaction ...but her words caused Catherine to smile as well.
"At last, Cathy--a really accurate dream!"
Laughing in combined relief and delight, the two women explainedJenny's cryptic remark to Vincent as he moved around the chamber,turning on lights and inviting them to sit. He smiled over Jenny'saccount of her "Egypt" fiasco.
"Actually," he pointed out diplomatically, "the lion-headedEgyptian deity is Sekmeht--a goddess."
"You know," Jenny told Vincent, "when Cathy told me you looked ...different, I never put two and two together. I just assumed that lionbusiness was symbolic, since Cathy kept telling me how brave andnoble and heroic you are--"
"Jenny!" Catherine exclaimed, mortified. "I never ..." "Well, notin so many words, exactly," Jenny admitted. "But your attitude waspretty clear, Chandler."
Giving Catherine a chance to compose herself, Jenny addressedVincent. "I'm curious. What made you decide to meet me, and to showme all this, after ... what, two and a half years?"
Vincent looked at Catherine before he began. "Keeping our secretis so important it becomes second nature to us; so automatic we putit first without thinking."
Jenny noted that although Vincent was ostensibly answering herquestion, his eyes never left Catherine where she sat beside him onthe bed. He took her hand as he continued. "My Father was not happywith me when I took the risk of bringing Catherine here for the firsttime. I never doubted, but it took him a long time to trust her. Hewas once betrayed by someone he loved, someone from a backgroundsimilar to Catherine's. I believe it colored his attitude towardher."
Vincent turned at last to face Jenny. "We became so accustomed toCatherine's silence about us we never considered whether it wasreally necessary for her to be so alone in her knowledge. Do you knowof our Helpers?"
Jenny nodded. "Cathy's told me a little bit. I know they exist; Iknow she's one."
"Many Helpers know of us," Vincent continued, "and they know ofme. Many have met me, and have become quite used to me. I don't knowwhy it took us so long to realize Catherine had people close to herwho could be trusted as much as we trust our Helpers."
Jenny watched Vincent as he turned toward Catherine again. "Iregret we did not reach this conclusion earlier, so Catherine couldhave told her father." Shaking her head wordlessly,Catherine strokedVincent's cheek, looking pained at his distress.
"Well," Jenny declared, "you can trust me to keep your secret aswell of any of your Helpers. As a matter of fact, I hope you'll letme help you in other ways besides giving Cathy someone to talk toabout how terrific you are. It looks like you read a lot of books,for instance, and I work for a publishing house. I get free books allthe time; I'd love to have somebody to give them to who'd reallyappreciate them."
Vincent brightened considerably at this prospect, and began to askJenny about books her firm had published. From there, theconversation wandered back and forth for hours. Jenny noticed thatCatherine said little. Curled up next to Vincent, she looked happierthan Jenny had ever seen her. Watching the love of her life and herbest friend getting along like they'd known each other for years,Catherine had the look of someone who'd unwrapped an unexpectedpresent to discover it was something she'd always wanted.
Eventually Vincent and Jenny realized that Catherine was beginningto fall asleep, and reluctantly decided it was time for the littleparty to break up. Catherine insisted that Jenny stay with her thatnight rather than going to her own apartment so late. After biddingfarewell to Father and promising to return soon to check on Rosa, thetwo friends allowed Vincent to escort them to the entrance belowCatherine's building. Pretending to be fascinated by the accessladder--it didn't really take much pretending--Jenny gave Catherineand Vincent the chance for a more intimate goodbye.
After Jenny was tucked up in Catherine's bed with a borrowednightgown, she discovered her previously exhausted friend was nowrestless and unable to sleep.
"Cathy, I just realized I shouldn't have let you be so nice to me;I should have gone home. I'm sure you'd rather spend the night downthere with Vincent ... or does he usually stay with you up here?"
"Jenny he doesn't ... we don't ... I mean, we've never ...
For a moment, Jenny was so astonished at the disappearance of thearticulate Catherine Chandler she didn't know what tothink. Then thelight dawned.
"Cathy, do you mean to tell me you and Vincent haven't ... afterall this time ... I don't get it, I could have sworn--when the two ofyou are together, you can practically see it in the air."
Haltingly, Catherine began to explain. As she told Jenny about herearly doubts, and Vincent's fears, the words began tumbling out.Jenny learned of Lisa, and Vincent's struggle with the dark powerwithin him; the constant vigilance required to maintain the dynamicbalance that was Vincent.
"Jenny, I believe with all my heart he's wrong to fear that kindof love between us. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago I told himmy theory that what he sees as a problem is really the solution."
"What do you mean?" Jenny asked.
"The only way he allows himself to express his passion is killingfor me instead of loving me. And I let him do it. I was even afraid Ilet myself get into dangerous situations unconsciously to make ithappen, just so we'd have some way of expressing that passion, even adestructuve one."
"What did Vincent think about that?"
"I think it stunned him. He never looked at things in that waybefore. He's been very thoughtful ever since." The pain and longingin Catherine's voice touched Jenny deeply.
Lying beside Catherine in the dark, Jenny wondered what to say.She had been positive that Catherine and the no-longermysteriousVincent were lovers, because that's the way it had been in her dreamslately. If only she could be sure ...
"Cathy?"
"What?" Catherine's voice sounded infinitely weary. The emotionalbacklash of this amazing day must be catching up with her at last.
"Don't give up. I've got a feeling it'll work out."
"A feeling, have you." Jenny could hear the smile in Catherine'svoice for a moment, before it became serious. "Jenny--no matter whathappens--it means more than I can say to be able to talk to you aboutthis. I never realized until tonight how much I needed it, and missedit."
Jenny waited so long to reply she wasn't sure if Catherine wasstill awake. She only knew how glad she was to receive the gifts ofknowledge and trust she had been given tonight. And she knew that shewas privileged to share something magical. Life from now on wouldnever be the same. Feeling sleep about to claim her, Jenny turned towhisper very softly into Catherine's ear.
"Think nothing of it, Cath. That's what friends are for."
"That's What Friends Are For" © 1990 by Edith L. Crowe
Comments & questions to ecrowe1228@aol.com
First published in Tunnels 2 (1990), edited by BarbaraStorey
About the Author: Edith Crowe is an academic librarian who hasbeen involved in various fandoms (starting with Star Trek)since 1972. Beauty and the Beast, however, is the one she'smost emotional about and the first (and so far only) one to inspireher to write fiction. She had seven "continuing classic" storiespublished in the late 80s and early 90s, in zines now out of print.New stories include the rather racy "My Furry Valentine" in the AKingdom by the Sea conzine and several in issues of Sanctuary.