THE LONGEST WEEK A WFOL Prelude
Part 1
Father was fit to be tied. His breath purposeful, he tried to compose himself. Breathe in; breathe out. He hadn’t been this upset in quite a while. Perhaps he was getting too old for this sort of thing. Maybe it was time to give more serious thought to Vincent taking over the reins.
Winter had started with a vengeance, which meant the children didn’t get Uptop as often or as long as they wished. Their excess energy ended up being applied to mischief Below, at least, that’s how it seemed to Father. The adults were peculiarly not helpful either, seemingly “cooped up” as Cullen called, it and wanting ... well, wanting something that Below didn’t seem to have.
Winterfest was looming and all Father could see was disaster: unruly children, over-imbibing adults, a true bacchanal. Father shook his head.
At that moment, Zach, Lewis, Geoffrey, and a few other boys caromed into Father’s study, all speaking at once. Yelling might be the more accurate description, given how Father’s ears were ringing.
“Quiet!!” Father boomed. All children froze as if statues.
Surveying the scene, Father’s last nerve erupted.
“That’s it! Winterfest is cancelled!”
And with that pronouncement, he strode out of his chamber as rapidly as his old hip would permit.
Part 2
Samantha blew into Vincent’s chamber like the North wind, shuddering to a stop just shy of landing on Vincent’s foot. He puts his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
“Samantha, what makes you forget to announce yourself before entering someone’s chamber?”
Only then does Samantha see Catherine sitting at Vincent’s table. She briefly hangs her head in mute apology and then launches into her point for being there.
“Father has banned Winterfest! Vincent, you gotta do something! We can’t not have Winterfest! It isn’t fair. We all look forward to seeing the helpers, and the music, and the food, and the fun, and, and, well, and everything!” She finished on an impassioned note.
“Cancelled Winterfest?” Catherine couldn’t believe what she heard.
“Yes! I’m not making this up. He really did.”
Vincent looked at Catherine and raised his shoulders slightly as if to say, “I don’t know what’s going on either!” Clearly, he needed to calm and reassure Samantha.
“I’m sure Father didn’t mean it, Samantha. Something must have happened, and he lost his patience.” Just then, Lewis rambled in, to see if Vincent could fix it. Vincent could fix anything.
“Where’d he lose it?” Lewis asked.
Vincent looked at Lewis. “What, Lewis?”
“His pay-shunts,” the boy repeated.
Vincent smiled. “I’m not sure, but maybe we can help him find it again.”
Catherine immediately warmed up to the idea. “Yes, and I would like to help. Samantha, I think we need to mount a game of ‘Look for the Patience.’ ”
Samantha looked at Catherine like she sometimes looked at Mary, as being much too old to understand, and therefore, must be humored. “You can’t find pat…”
Catherine interrupted her by holding her finger to her lips. “Yes, you can. And all the children can help. Your job is to round them all up and we will meet in the dining room in say, 30 minutes.”
Vincent nodded. “Lewis, you help Samantha round up the other children, will you do that?” Given a duty by Vincent, one is bound to carry it out. Lewis nodded in earnest.
Samantha and Lewis left with a purpose. Catherine looked at Vincent. “I’ll go hide something for the children to find, and ride herd on the hunt. You gather the council and go see Father.”
With a long look between them to make up for their shortened time together, they each left to their task.
Part 3
Catherine nearly ran back to her apartment only to stand in the middle, spinning about, looking for something that would be a worthwhile prize and stand in for Father’s patience. She blew up her bangs in frustration. Surely there must be something here that would be suitable! she thought.
She spied boxes of brownie mix on her dining table. She had bought them figuring sooner or later she’d bake them and take them down to the children. Why not! The finder of the brownie mix would get to make them with her! That takes patience, mixing the batter, waiting for them to bake. That would do as a stand in for Father’s. She grabbed the boxes, and hurried back down.
She met Vincent not far from her basement entrance. She explained her plan, and he agreed, it was a good substitute. He even said that the finders of the boxes had to bring Father a brownie from their baking efforts. She sent Vincent off to hide the boxes on his way to the council meeting, but not before bestowing a sweet kiss for his help. She continued on to meet with the gathered children.
She met the group in the dining room just a minute late. “Gather round, gather round.” The chattering finally ceased and eager faces looked up at her awaiting their instructions.
“There are two portions of Father’s patience to find. He has such a lot of patience, he couldn’t leave it in just one spot.” The children nodded, ordinarily, Father was most patient. Here is a clue to help you search:
“Little though I may be, I’m not so small when you are done with me. Stir me up and you may find Patience is a reward most kind.”
Younger children were paired with older ones, and the rest ran off playing for themselves. The room was cleared in mere seconds. Catherine grinned. But then she sobered up, and decided to check on the meeting to see what would send Father into such a state that Winterfest would be cancelled. She figured she had about 20 minutes to find out before someone found a prize.
Part 4
Catherine walked in on a cacophony in Father’s chamber. Mary looked distraught as she argued for the Helpers; Pascal reminded everyone he had already sent out many messages about Winterfest on the pipes; William’s face was red as he nearly exploded over all the preparation he had done going for naught; others complained about projects they were completing for Winterfest, and wanting to be able to share them with others. No one was happy. Least of all, Vincent. He saw the slump in Father’s back. This was more than Winterfest.
“Quiet!” Father could still bellow when needed.
“You all came here for answers. So here they are. We, as a community, have not earned Winterfest in my estimation.” He looked over the crowd, one by one. “The children have been extraordinarily unruly; and even you adults have been bickering and restless.”
He slowly made his way across the room to stand near Vincent. Vincent wondered if Father felt the need for Vincent’s protection.
“The way things are,Winterfest would be nothing but squabbles and keeping people and children apart from one another.” He huh-rumpfed. “This is not what Winterfest is about.” Again, he looked at all assembled. “Until we remember that fact, and demonstrate it, Winterfest will be cancelled.”
“Father, don’t you think your point has been made?” Vincent asked quietly. “The children came to me most upset. I think they will be on better behavior.”
Catherine chimed in, one eye on her watch. “Yes, Father, right now, in fact, to keep up their spirits and organize their energy, they are on a treasure hunt.” She hesitated, wondering if she should say it, deciding to go all in. “They are looking for your patience, the patience you lost with them earlier today. They commented it was most unlike you, and it frightened them. So we created the treasure hunt. And they will have a sweet apology to make to you when it’s over.”
Several adults thought it sounded like a good idea. They admitted the hijinks from the children were getting out of hand.
“What about we adults?” Vincent asked. “What might we do to demonstrate to Father that this past week was an aberration, not to be continued?”
Heads dropped in embarrassed silence. There were several strange looks between people that Catherine noticed. Something was afoot, she was sure of it! Taking a peek at Vincent, she saw his slight headshake at Pascal. Pascal finally broke it. “Father, forgive us. We have been so busy with winter repairs; we let it get to us. We know better. We can do better. Please, let Winterfest continue.”
William muttered, “What about all that cooking I already did? I put a lot of work into Winterfest. It’s my time to shine, dammit!” He saw all eyes on him, some sternly glaring at him, and quickly added, “But I can see where I might have been short-tempered with folks seein’ as how busy I was, and I apologize.”
Catherine looked at her watch and sighed. She wished to witness the result, but needed to get back to the treasure hunt. With a fond, yet pointed look to Vincent, she left.
Part 5
Just as she rounded the corner to the dining room, Catherine spied a group of children running back.
“We found it! We found it!” Lewis ran up to Catherine holding the box of brownie mix above his head like a trophy. “Now Father gets his pay-shunts back and we get Winterfest!”
“Well, I can’t promise you’ll get Winterfest back, but I do think this will help.” Lewis looked so crestfallen. She cupped his chin and raised his face. “Lewis, when Father learns you helped bake brownies for him, I’m sure he’ll see how much you children care and put Winterfest back on.”
“Let’s see who finds the other treasure.”
Soon, Samantha runs up, grinning ear-to-ear, “Here’s the treasure!”
Catherine took the second box of brownies from her as the other children straggled in from their hunt.
“Okay, guys. We aren’t done yet. We have to show how much patience we have to encourage Father’s patience to come back. We have to make the brownies!” Children jumped up and down and clapped and yelled at the thought of baking, baking with Catherine, and brownies!
“Lewis and Samantha are our head cooks since they found the treasure. They will decide what the helpers will do, which are all the rest of you.”
Off to the kitchen they went.
**
One by one the Council members and guests left Father’s chamber. Only Vincent remained. Father wearily collapsed into his chair. He looked up at Vincent. “So, you think I’ve been too harsh cancelling Winterfest.”
“I think you are tired. And, you had a point. You made it. Now it is time to go on with Winterfest.” Vincent had walked over and stood behind Father, massaging his shoulders as he spoke. “Or, it will be time once the children come to apologize and bring their gift.”
“I shudder to think,” Father rolled his head to Vincent’s ministrations. It felt so good.
“Perhaps you should rest until they come,” Vincent withdrew his hands from Father’s shoulders. “I’ll go check on their progress.”
As he left, he saw Father rise and wander off in the direction of his bed.
Part 6
Catherine had batter in her hair, a bit on one cheek, but her smile showed anyone it didn’t matter. Cooking with the children was the best thing she could do. She smiled, thinking, That’s because we cook on the same level!
Vincent stood watching from the entry. His heart warmed just seeing how happy Catherine was, and how happy the children were. She’s a natural mother, he thought.
“Vincent! Come in. We are almost finished. We are waiting for the brownies to cool so we may cut them and arrange a plate for Father” (and in a fake aside) “and one for us!”
“Waiting for the brownies to cool takes patience, I bet.” Vincent commented, looking at all the cooks.
“We had to wait to find the mix, too!” Geoffrey pointed out.
“I was in charge.” Lewis emphasized with his thumb pointed back toward himself.
“I was, too.” Samantha pointed out. “We each found one of the boxes.” She explained to Vincent.
“And what will you say to Father when you give him the brownies?” Vincent asked the group, hands behind his back, leaning forward a bit to impress the importance of the thought.
Small voices sang out with suggestions. Catherine molded their thoughts into a coherent statement and they practiced until they could say it and mean it. By then, the brownies had cooled, and Catherine guided Lewis’s hand as he cut the pan into sections. Samantha was old enough to do hers on her own. Zach brought over a plate, Katie brought over a napkin to put on the plate, and in no time, brownies from each pan were layered on the plate. The leftovers were gobbled down by the children, including Catherine and Vincent.
“Go wash up and meet us in the tunnel junction before Father’s chamber in 10 minutes.” Vincent sent them scooting.
“Ten minutes?” Catherine asked with a raised eyebrow. “Washing up hands and faces barely takes 5 minutes with these kids.”
“I know.” Vincent said slyly. “But licking the batter off your face will take longer.” He proceeded to demonstrate, and somehow, it seemed she managed to get batter on her mouth. He kissed her thoroughly, to make sure he got it all.
Catherine had melted into his arms like the chocolate in the brownies.
“We must go, Catherine.”
“Must we?”
He turned her around and pushed her lightly forward. He grabbed the tray of brownies. As they walked toward the junction, Catherine remembered her question for Vincent.
“Okay, buster, what’s up with all the looks in Father’s chamber earlier? I smell something afoot!”
He stopped, looked around, and satisfied they were alone, faced Catherine.
“Everyone, all of the adults, wanted to do something special for Father at this year’s Winterfest. He’s worked so hard, and he’s getting older. We’ve all taken his guidance, his expertise for granted. So everyone is burning their candle at both ends to get their projects done. I’m afraid that tempers frayed. We can’t admit why or spoil the surprise.”
“What is it you are doing for Father?”
Vincent smiled. “We wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise, now, would we?”
With that, Vincent started off and they met the children.
The procession went forward. At the chamber entrance, Vincent called out to Father. A muffled sleepy response said come in, and they all entered. The children started chattering almost immediately before Catherine held up her hand, and all silenced.
“Father, the children have a presentation to make to you,”
Samantha stepped forward, taking the plate from Vincent. She and Lewis walked over to Father and handed him the plate.
“Father, it took a lot of patience today to find the brownies and bake them. It’s hard to wait, and we all love Winterfest so much, well, anyway, we promise to do better and not create a problem for you.”
“Yeah, we found your pay-shunts, Father. Now you don’t have to be so grumpy.” Lewis smiled proudly.
Catherine buried her face into her hand. That was not part of the practiced apology.
Suddenly, Father exploded in laughter. Perplexed faces all around watched as he laughed and laughed, finally getting himself under control.
“That nap, Vincent, helped wonders! And Catherine, thank you for giving me the quiet to get a nap. And children,” he whirled around to look at them, “hand me one of those brownies. I do need my patience back.”
He bit down and fussed over how good it was. He took bite after bite until it was all gone. One by one, he licked his fingers.
“Well?” Lewis asked.
“Excellent brownie,” Father admitted.
“Not that,” Lewis clarified. “What about Winderfest?”
“Yes. What about Winterfest?” Father looked down at Lewis. “I believe everyone has apologized. You children even baked brownies for me.” Father tousled Lewis’s hair. He stopped abruptly.
“I do believe Winterfest is back on!”
Catherine and Vincent looked at each other, each relieved to be able to go on one of their favorite dates. A cheer let out by the children, and the adults positioned discretely just out of sight beyond the entrance.
Vincent called out to the children. “Okay everyone. Let’s get busy. There is a lot left to do!”
Part 7
The morning of Winterfest dawned bright Above. Catherine hurried to get Below to help with last minute preparations. Joe tried to waylay those plans calling with some last minute research, but she rightly suggested that interns were excellent at that and hung up before he could disagree.
She was intrigued with the gift for Father that the community was creating. Vincent stayed tight-lipped about it, despite her most beguiling ways. Father would be pleased, more so inwardly while outwardly showing his leadership face.
Catherine felt Vincent’s worry about Father. The lines in his face were deeper etched. His movements, at times, seemed slower and more painful. He was aging, as they all were. But he was the stable foundation of the community. What would happen if he were to step down?
Her dress hung on Vincent’s wardrobe. It was a deep green velvet, with lace trim across the bodice. She could hardly wait to wear it for Vincent. He had commented he was getting a new vest from Mary to wear. She looked forward to the unveiling!
True to their word, everyone had shaped up and worked hard. When the Great Hall doors opened, the candles lit, the opening words spoken, everyone had a chance to look around and the decorations were somehow extra special this year.
Vincent and Catherine had almost been late as they admired one another’s finery. Vincent’s eyes became deeper blue as he took in the sight of his beloved in the dark green velvet. When she came out to reveal her dress, she saw that Vincent not only had a new vest, but a new shirt as well. The vest was a deep maroon with a small lapel around the edges, as if it were a coat. His shirt was a crisp white round collared one, with a cravat at his throat. They stood admiring each other for moments that threatened their timely arrival to the fest.
When the music started, Vincent asked her to dance. He held her close, especially on the slow waltzes. So close that Father came by to remind him he was a role model to the young. “Then they shall learn how to dance with their loves,” was his only reply. Catherine just smiled and melted further into those strong arms.
At last, Pascal called for everyone’s attention. The fact that Pascal was still in attendance did not escape Catherine’s notice. He usually came and went with such deftness, many missed that he was there at all.
“Everyone! Everyone! Gather around please.” Pascal waved his sticks as he spoke. They seemed such a natural extension of his hand. “We, that is, all of us, wanted to do something special for someone we sometimes take for granted. We wanted him to know how much we admire, respect, and love him. So we all contributed in our way to make this gift.” He turned, “Jamie, will you wheel it in?”
Vincent took Catherine’s hand in his own for support. This would not be easy.
Jamie wheeled a cloth covered cart to the middle of the room.
“Father, would you come closer, please?” Pascal revealed the recipient.
“Wha ... what’s going on?” Father was clearly surprised. He made his way to the center near the cart.
Pascal nodded, and a group of children advanced. They spoke in unison a piece about how Father’s wisdom in forming the community was so critical to its success. How important stories of the past were to understanding who and what they were, and how the children loved to hear the stories.
Pascal nodded again, and a group of teenagers stepped forward. Again, in unison, they spoke of a need to have a recorded history, both to honor the past and to learn from it. That was why the community had pooled their talents to create what would be called The Book of History.
With that, they pulled back the cloth. It revealed an intricately carved box (Cullen’s fine work), which opened to reveal a book. The box, with a few manipulations, became a reading stand for the book.
The book was covered in leather, etched with the title and date and intricate whirls along the edges as if a frame. Inside were many sections, including “The Early Days” about the discovery of the tunnels and early survival, “The Pioneers” about the people in those early days, “Our Governing Principles” which told of what the principles were and how or why they were chosen, “The Tunnels” which were maps of various times, showing the growth of their physical community, and last, “The People,” which held drawings of all the residents through the years (Elizabeth’s contributions along with her art class), and short bios on each. The pages were bound with the cover in leather strips, so that more pages could be added in the future.
Father slowly shook his head as he reverently touched the cover, and turned the pages. Tears began to run down his cheek.
“After I was so short with all of you, you did this for me?”
“We all love you, Father, and wanted you to know that.” Vincent said. “What you have done for us, for all of us,” he gestured across the room, “cannot simply be measured. But we wanted no one to forget.”
Catherine watched, tears running down her cheeks, as Father suddenly looked like an old man. His shoulders, stooped, leaning on his walking stick, looking the age he was which was far older than most men kept working. She looked at Vincent, and understood what all of this meant. It was permission for Father to pass the leadership, if that is what he wished.
“Are you ready?” she whispered.
Vincent smiled wanly. With a slight shrug of his shoulders, he whispered back, “Only time will tell.”
Part 8
The rest of the evening was a blur. Vincent and Catherine danced. They spent some time admiring the tapestries, a little tradition they had at Winterfest.
Vincent played checkers with some of the children, losing most but knowing how much the children enjoyed bettering him at the game. He also spent time with the teenagers, learning a new “modern” dance, to their amusement (and Catherine’s). He saw more than they suspected, learning who was interested in whom, and a few he might wish to have a little talk with sometime after Winterfest.
He always had a dance with Mary, and it was always to the same song, “My Wild Irish Rose.” He didn’t know why, but that song meant something to her, and Vincent would let her mind drift as they danced, feeling her enjoyment with the memories that visited. They would dance another dance where each would ask how the other really was, what was going well in their life, and what they wished was easier. Even though it was only once a year, Winterfest kept them grounded in each other’s life.
He made the rounds of all the new babies and their mothers, congratulating the fathers. Catherine felt an undercurrent of emotion during this visit that she had yet to identify. Nor had they talked about it.
As she watched Vincent make his rounds, it occurred to her how much like Father he was, as Father did the same – making sure to spend time with everyone in attendance.
It’s going to be soon, she thought. A tiny frisson of fear rippled along her back as she wondered what might happen to their relationship when Vincent took the helm from Father. She knew how time consuming the job was. They barely had enough time together as it was. Stop being selfish, Catherine admonished herself. The community needs him.
Father interrupted her reverie. Nodding toward Vincent, “He’s ready, don’t you think?” He looked at Catherine. She wasn’t sure what to say. The need was taken from her when Father spoke again. “What about you, Catherine? Are you ready?”
“Me?”
“I’m not so dotty in my old age to realize this effects you both. And I know how much Vincent loves and depends on you.”
“I don’t know Father.” She pulled her thoughts together. “Unlike Vincent, I haven’t grown up with the idea of taking over. I couldn’t even do it for my Father.” She looked him squarely in the eyes. “Are you sure this is what Vincent wants? Does he have a choice?”
Father smiled. This slightly confused Catherine who was expecting him to be defensive.
“I can see my son picked well. Yes, he has a choice.” He glanced over to where Vincent had been and saw that he was walking toward them. As Vincent drew near, Father suggested the three of them withdraw from the party into a small quiet chamber used for storage.
“Vincent, Catherine,” as he took a hand of each in his. “You both know that the time has come for me to relinquish the reins here Below. Vincent, you are my first choice. You know best what is needed, you are perhaps the heart of our community. But I know that heart is strengthened by Catherine’s love. So if you want the job, I must insist that you and Catherine be married.”
Two gasps rent the air, as Vincent and Catherine looked at each other and back at Father.
“Father, are you sure? This is something I felt you always disapproved of for me.”
“Yes, well, I’ve changed my mind.” Looking at their doubtful faces, he added, “It’s an old man’s prerogative!” Still seeing their shocked faces, he continued. “It’s clear to everyone how deep your love is for one another and how you bring out the best in each other. Vincent, I’m sorry I held you back. Forgive me?” Still no response. “Besides, you must set a good example to the other residents.”
That brought Catherine back to awareness. “Father, Vincent hasn’t even asked me,” Catherine pointed out.
“Well, my boy? Get to it!” Father cocked an eyebrow in his direction as he joined their two hands together and stepped back to allow a modicum of privacy.
The two stood blinking at each other. Catherine felt as if an episode of the Twilight Zone was being filmed. Vincent ran the gamut of emotions in rapid succession. Finally, he took a deep breath.
“Catherine, will you marry me? Be my partner, my center, my heart, and my better half?”
Eyes suddenly brimming with tears, she pledged, “I will.”
Father came between them, putting an arm around each in a hug. He started forward. Catherine would have liked a kiss to seal the proposal, but with the speed of things, she had to hand it to Father that she was now an engaged woman!
Vincent suddenly stopped and turned to Father. “Are you sure you want to do this? Leading the community has been your life.”
Father let go of Catherine and addressed Vincent’s concern. “Tonight, I got a gift that touched me deeply. It was not the book – no, not as lovely as it is, and as cherished as it will be. The gift the community gave me was their blessing to lay down this burden, and enjoy what life I have left. And I intend to do just that. You make that possible, Vincent. Not that others couldn’t have done it. But you are the one others most respect. I have no doubt this community will be offering sanctuary for many years to come.”
“Now, let’s go make the announcement of your engagement and my retirement.” He took their hands and started off. Smiling broadly, Father stopped momentarily to wink, “Bet they remember this Winterfest for some time to come!”
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