The next two days were full of laughter and banter and wonder for the Eisen clan as they discovered the joys of spelunking. They all learned to know and love Catherine and their quiet, new brother and they soon realized his senses were much keener and more developed than their own. It also became apparent that while the five were sensitive to each other through long relationship, Vincent actually began to read the other’s emotions, as they grew closer. He came to appreciate their personalities and intelligence. Catherine developed friendships with Linda and Bonny, had great fun bantering with David, discussing serious issues with Steven, or provoking or charming the more irascible Jared. Each night they shared chores as they camped, and conversation ran high around the campfire.
On the third day, as they neared the first outpost, the Eisen family spoke in low, serious tones as each wondered what their reception would be amongst the people in this underground world. Vincent had told them how accepting the community was, how supportive. Yet they had their misgivings regarding the impact of five more of their kind being thrust upon such a secluded and carefully balanced world. It would also be the first outside contact any of them had ever had besides Catherine and Vincent.
Vincent instructed the group to wait as he and Catherine went further and spoke to the sentry on duty. Vincent called out softly to say that he and Catherine were returning. Sam, one of their older, more reclusive members stepped forward to greet them. Vincent explained that he wanted Sam to send a message on the pipes to say only that he and Catherine were on their way home, nothing more. He had a surprise he was bringing Father and didn’t want it spoiled. Sam understood and sent the message. Then Vincent called the others, introducing his surprise to a speechless Sam. As they proceeded down the tunnel, Vincent reminded Sam to keep his secret.
They continued on their way, his family becoming more and more intrigued by the endless maze of tunnels and chambers. Vincent began instructing them in the basic safety measures taught to all newcomers Below, how to chalk the walls and count the passages to find their way, to always carry candles and matches, the basic codes on the master pipes, and how to tell distance from the echoes. Catherine assured them that she too felt overwhelmed at first, but was getting the knack of finding her way around.
Vincent proudly introduced his new family to every patrol, sentry and tunnel dweller they came across in their daily errands. He asked each one not to send any messages on the pipes until he presented them to Father. He need not have worried, since they followed the procession to Father’s chamber, until there was quite a crowd that arrived at the patriarch’s den. They all wanted to see the expression on Father’s face and to hear Vincent’s story.
Vincent and Catherine went in first, grinning broadly at their secret. Father looked up in welcome.
“Vincent, Catherine, welcome home!” he scrambled to his feet as fast as he could manage, embracing them warmly and kissing them both. “You both look wonderful, and we’ve all missed you, especially little Jacob.”
“It’s good to be home, Father,” Catherine gave him a hug.
“So, tell me, how was your journey? Pleasant? No problems?” Father inquired.
“Father,” Vincent began, hesitating while shooting Catherine a mischievous look, “our journey was not uneventful.
Father’s brow creased in concern.
“We were not in any danger,” Vincent assured him, “but we found something, that we brought back with us, and which I hope you will accept.”
“What is it, Vincent? Tell me!” Father was feeling a little less worried now. It would be al right.
“Well, it is not so much a matter of what, rather of whom.”
Father’s face lit in alarm. “Whom?” he stuttered.
Vincent beckoned to the doorway, and Steven immediately stepped into the chamber, determined to make a positive impression. The others followed him, with David bringing up the rear and the crowd of tunnel folk on his heels.
Vincent smiled tenderly at Father’s expression of surprise and disbelief. “Father, what I found on our journey is my family, and an explanation of how I came to be.”
Putting his arm around his father’s shoulders for support and strength, he introduced his new family.
“These are my brothers and sisters. This is Steven, whose courage and diplomacy I believe you will grow to appreciate.”
Father extended a shaking hand, as the dark-haired Steven boldly stepped forward and gave the patriarch a hearty handshake.
“How do you do, sir? I hope my family and I will be allowed to join this wonderful community Vincent has told us so much about.”
Vincent then introduced Jared, who took a swipe at tidying his chestnut brown hair. “Jared is both analytical and practical and I believe he will be a great asset to our world.”
Jared stepped up and grabbed the older man’s hand in a firm grip. “We will not be a burden to you sir, I promise.”
The women came forward together for courage and Vincent presented them, “Father, these two ladies are the most wonderful cooks, but I believe their intelligence and sensitivity are their greatest gifts. This is Linda and this is Bonny.”
Father was so bewildered he was speechless, but seeing the beseeching expression on Bonny’s face and the worried look on Linda’s he managed to say weakly, “I’m sure we can work things out?” It wasn’t much of a welcome he chided himself.
“Everything Vincent has told us about you is true,” Linda ventured. “You are kind and generous.”
Father blustered, and Bonny pleaded, “You will let us stay, won’t you? We have nowhere else to go.”
David brushed past his timid sisters, “Of course he’ll let us stay! Hi! I’m David. You have created a wonderful world here, sir,” he was pumping Father’s hand enthusiastically, his blond curls bouncing. “I know I’m going to love it here.”
Vincent chuckled, repeating the introduction, “This is David,” as if that summed him up, and it did.
Father looked helplessly at Vincent, then at the crowd of incredulous tunnel folk, and at each of the intelligent, peaceful strangers who looked like his son, and had to hear their story.
“Well then, on behalf of the community, Welcome! We’re happy to have you come stay.” He questioned his own intelligence and sanity as his leg’s gave way and he sank slowly back into his recently vacated chair.
General pandemonium broke out with handshakes, backslapping and questions. Some of the bolder individuals came forward to get to know the newcomers. Some were curious, others more cautious. Having heard that Catherine and Vincent had returned, Mary came upon this scene with an unhappy baby Jacob. His screaming drew the collective attention of the crowded chamber. Vincent relieved Mary of his distraught son and soothed him. Catherine joined him, cooing at the child who was now squealing with delight at the return of his parents.
“Thank you for caring for him, Mary, he looks wonderful!” Catherine exclaimed.
“Oh, it was no bother. We’ve all enjoyed caring for him,” Mary replied to their gratitude.
Then Vincent had to show Jacob to his new family who had gathered around them. “This is our son, Jacob, a living legacy of our love.”
David spoke up, “Hey, I am an uncle and I didn’t even know it.”
They all laughed, acknowledging another new relationship, then admired and exclaimed over him.
Father watched how Vincent interacted with his new family. He could see how happy he was, almost a changed man, like the carefree boy that he once was. Vincent looked less burdened, less careworn, and Father was glad. His eyes fell then on Catherine. She was the key to the change that was coming to their community for the good. She had brought a new spirit of love and unity, a new life to their world, as well as new ideas and interests. The unfeigned, open, giving love of this social beauty from the world Above, for his beast-like son, and for all of them here Below, had enriched all their lives.
Mary, hospitable and practical as always, found places for the newcomers to sleep for the night in the hospital chamber. Later, more permanent arrangements could be made. When things calmed down a bit, and his family had moved their belongings down to their temporary quarters, Vincent took Catherine and Jacob to their chamber to settle in and rest awhile before dinner.
Outside the entrance, Catherine paused anxiously, her hand on his chest. “Wait, Vincent. I know you gave your approval for me to make changes, but I may have overdone it. If you don’t like it, we can always rearrange it again.”
He held her close, comforting her fears. “Catherine, I know that you did your best in a very short period of time,” he said lovingly. “And what you did was done with all the beauty of your love. I’m sure I will love our new home, because it is part of you.”
He ducked his head to enter the chamber, drawing
her in with him, his arm around her waist. He stood just inside,
studying the effect she had created. Vincent saw how she had visually
divided the room in two with the bookcase, creating living and sleeping
areas. He noticed all her creative touches, the draping over the
bed, cushions on his old trunk, the artificial plants, everything.
Catherine’s glance swept the chamber with a critical
eye, but could find no fault. Anxiously, she asked with baited breath.
“What do you think, Vincent?”
He turned an appreciative eye towards her and answered sincerely, “I feel that I’ve come home for the first time. Catherine, you have a wonderful sense of balance; it is both beautiful and practical. This room was made for loving and living.”
“You really do like it?” Catherine was relieved, and lay Jacob in his cradle to play. “Mary helped me plan it, and Jamie, Mouse and the children put it into action.”
Enveloping her in his arms, he vowed, “I love how you have made a home for us. Thank you,” he said simply. “I know we will be very happy here,” he said and kissed her, until their happiness and love filled the chamber and their world.
*****
Word spread quickly on the pipes, radiating out from Pascal’s central pipe chamber, about the exciting news of Vincent’s new family. Everyone was invited to come meet them and hear their story. That evening, when dinner had been consumed, and all the community gathered from the far reaches of the tunnels, the Eisen clan repeated the story told to Vincent and Catherine.
Father exclaimed, “Mark and Nancy Eisen? I knew them! We were great friends in medical school. I was the best man at their wedding. During the darkest days of my life, they were part of the few who supported me. We lost touch when I came Below, of course. Isn’t it a small world?”
With their intelligence, wit and charm, the new family soon won the trust and friendship of the community. They now had a new, exciting life to lead, rather than just an existence. They could belong to something larger than themselves, contribute their knowledge and skills to improve living conditions Below, and be safe and protected and offer the same to the community.
The Eisen clan quickly adapted to the new routine, and as they assimilated, began developing interests apart from each other for the first time. David struck up a great friendship with Mouse, who was missing his former closeness with Vincent, and helped structure the wayward inventor. Together, they came up with some marvelous inventions to improve life Below. Steven was drawn to Cullen, the carpenter, and built many things needed Below while allowing Cullen more time to carve to his heart’s content. Jared had them build much-needed bookshelves for Father’s ever growing collection of books and maps. As soon as they were in place, Jared categorized and cataloged Father’s chamber, until there was actually room to sit down. He and Father spent hours discussing and debating many subjects over the chessboard. Linda delighted to help in the sewing of clothes and designing new fashions for those Below. It was she who had always sewn the clothes for their family, and now she could help others with her natural talents. Bonny and Mary became fast friends. Bonny was only too happy to help ease Mary’s burden of teaching and caring for the many tunnel children. She was also skilled at nursing, so they had much in common. Now there was more time for Mary to visit the Helpers and care for those like Narcissa, whose eyesight was getting worse each year.
Vincent was thrilled to see his family fit in so quickly, tactfully and helpfully. The all worked very had, and life Below was much improved due to their presence. He and Catherine were able to spend much of their day together with baby Jacob in their revitalized chamber, or patrolling the tunnels, or reading to the children, which were some of Vincent’s duties in the community. They had never been so happy, and each day was an exciting adventure in the journey of their love.
Once life had settled into a more normal routine, Catherine and Vincent would often spend the evenings after supper was over, reading Jacob to sleep in their chamber. On one such evening, Vincent was enjoying listening as Catherine read a child’s story about what made a home, a home.
“It doesn’t matter at all, if my home’s big or small, If it’s brown or yellow or white; It doesn’t matter at all if it’s narrow or tall, Or if it is pretty or bright,” Catherine read softly, smiling down at Jacob. “It doesn’t matter at all if my home’s on a hill, Or down by the deep blue sea--, As long as it’s filled with people I love, and people who also love me.”*
At this point, Jacob was serenely sleeping. Vincent noticed Catherine’s thoughtful look as she turned her gaze toward him.
“What are you thinking Catherine?”
“My life here is so different from what it used to be.”
Vincent asked softly, “Are you missing your old life?”
“No, Vincent!” she quickly assured him. “I was just thinking how busy, hectic and dangerous my life had gotten to be. I should never have put you, and myself, into those situations.”
“Your strength and courage were able to help many
people do right, Catherine. And you are still helping others.”
“Yes, and now my life, here with all of you, is
so much better! Vincent, these last few weeks with you have been
happier than all the years before them.”
“You know I feel the same way, Catherine.”
“Living here, with you, having a home and a family, fulfill me in ways I never knew existed before.” Catherine struggled to explain. “My days here are full of family and friends I care about, and yet they’re so peaceful and happy.”
Vincent smiled lovingly at her. “Catherine, you are even more beautiful now than before. The love you give…all of us…radiates your warmth and beauty. What you have given me…” he said choking on emotion, “is too precious for words.”
“You are a wonderful father, and husband, Vincent,” Catherine soothed. “If motherhood and marriage agree with me, much more could be said about you. Somehow, you seem stronger, and yet kinder and gentler than before. I love you so much.”
“Our life together is a joyous new beginning for both of us, Catherine. I have never felt so…much a man. That other part of me seems to fade away more every day. Mere words cannot tell you how much you mean to me.”
Catherine looked into his azure blue eyes for a long, breathless moment and was lost in the love she saw there. Finally, she tore herself away long enough to tuck Jacob into his cradle for the night. Turning back to Vincent, she caught hold of his massive hands, and pouring all her heart into the words, spoke softly, passionately, “Then, show me Vincent,” and saw the fire in his eyes as he rose to comply.
*****
One day a message came from Peter that he now had control of Catherine’s legacy. She sent him instructions that included a list she had been secretly preparing of needed materials and tools in various areas of the world Below. Using the Helpers Above to purchase the items and channel them Below several problem areas improved quickly. Catherine did not forget to tell Peter that he was to aid the Helpers in any improvements needed in their own lives.
Some surprising items began arriving below: generators, a television set, VCR, projector, screen, movies, and a stereo system. Also, necessary items like sewing machines, pieces of furniture and supplies came down as well. Anything that was really needed found its way down through Peter and the Helpers.
When questioned about the audio/visual equipment in Father’s chamber one day, Catherine smiled up at Vincent. “I love you so much, Vincent, I want to give you the world. I know you and the others can’t go Above in safety, so I brought the world down to you in the only way I could. You can see everything this way.”
Father commented, “It’s a very generous thing to do, Catherine, but there are always books.”
She smiled at the older man. She had anticipated his objections and was ready to overcome them. “A picture is worth a thousand words, Father,” she teased. “Think of how educational this will be for the children. There are many teaching tapes. We can all travel around the world; see great plays and other artistic performances. We could have a community entertainment night. The benefits are endless.”
He cogitated the possibilities and left it at that.
Vincent was visibly moved, “Catherine, your love is a constant wonder! It surmounts every obstacle, solves every problem and touches everyone.”
“My life is motivated by my love for you. Everything I have done, Vincent, is due to you. If your act of kindness in saving me in the park that night had not occurred, non of this would be possible.”
Vincent shook his head thoughtfully. To think that one selfless act could produce such ever-widening circles of love and goodness! “Catherine, in risking everything then, I now possess all that some seek for their whole lives and never find.”
“Love?” She was drawn to him like a magnet! She could never seem to get enough of his love or feel equal to expressing her own to him. The more they gave of themselves, the more they were able to give.
He felt her open heart overflow with love for him. The depth of it never failed to amaze him, that he should be the recipient of her love and the cause of it! His own heart filled with love for her, which needed expression unequal to words. He gathered her willingly into his arms, covering her eager lips with his, as if he would never let her go. As she responded, they were joined in a spiritual bond that connected them beyond the physical realm, beyond place and time, beyond separation or death, but for eternity.
…. And they lived happily ever after under N. Y.
C.!
Note: Catherine was reading A Little Golden Book called My Home by Renee Bartkowski that I read to my kids when they were little. It is no longer in print, and I was unable to locate the Publisher, Western Publishing Co., Inc.