READ IN THE BATHTUB DAY

READING IS GOOD, FATHER SAID SO

by JoAnn Baca

“I don’t think I’ve ever done that before!”

Catherine couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a long soak in a hot bath, much less time to read while relaxing in one. But hearing Edie relate that in just a few days it would be Read in the Bathtub Day tickled her.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never stayed in the tub until you were all prune-y?” Edie eyed her like she was an alien.

“Never,” affirmed her friend. “When would I have had time? I was in school my whole life until I started working at Dad’s law firm, and long hours of study became long hours of overtime.”

Edie rolled her eyes. “You worked overtime when you were at the law firm?”

Her frank disbelief was not unexpected. Everyone thought that she had a cushy job with her father’s firm, but there were only the occasional few hours off to shop or get her nails done, and she always made the time up. Too many eyes were watching to abuse her position. Of course, everyone knew when she arrived late or took an extra hour at lunch…but few were around when she finally left in the evenings. Besides, the timeclock didn’t lie, which is what the partners checked religiously where junior associates were concerned. And the partners were the only ones whose opinions mattered.

Since coming to the DA’s Office, free time had become an even rarer occurrence. She brought home casework every night, dove into it on weekends, and still barely kept up with her workload. A long bath with a book in hand sounded divine…but totally self-indulgent. And the only “self-indulgence” she treated herself to these days was spending a few precious hours a week with Vincent.

* * *

Vincent chuckled when she related her conversation with Edie. “I admit to not having heard of that observance either.”

“Right? Who thinks these things up?” She smiled and shook her head.

“Are you tempted to celebrate on the day?” 

“Hardly. It sounds like something only ladies of leisure a hundred years ago could manage. You know, someone with servants available to keep the water heated and to bring you a tray to put the book on to avoid getting it wet…and maybe a thick pillow to support your head.”

“Quite a procedure.”

“Undoubtedly!” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “But most importantly, it would take precious time away from spending that hour with you, and there is nothing in this world I would compromise my time with you for.” She straightened and looked him in the eye. “Nothing.”

His shy smile was visible only for a moment before he dipped his head, allowing his long mane to hide his expression.  

* * *

The invitation to come Below was unexpected, especially as it wasn’t accompanied by a reason – not “for dinner” or “because the children desire your presence at a concert” or any other explanation. But that didn’t matter. Catherine would accept and spend the time happily doing whatever Vincent had in mind. Being with him was reason enough to go Below.

She was met at her threshold by Rebecca, an unusual guide, especially one smiling as coyly as the Tunnel resident was. “Vincent asked me to come for you. He’ll explain later.”

Nodding, she replied, “It gives us a chance to chat.” She linked her arm through Rebecca’s and the two shared news as they walked to the Hub…and then, oddly, well past the Hub. She was about to question her friend when the latter said, “All will be revealed soon enough” and gave her a push toward a chamber with which Catherine was unfamiliar.

Stumbling a step in surprise, Catherine turned, only to find that Rebecca had slipped away.

Curiosity propelled her through the entrance, but she was brought up short by burbling sounds. Steam was wafting lazily through the small chamber, partially obscuring its contents. As she moved forward cautiously, she came upon a huge claw-footed tub sitting under a tiny waterfall, as if someone had positioned a bathtub to fill with the heated flow, then spill into a stream that disappeared into crevasses in the rocks on either side.

“Welcome, Catherine.”

She would recognize that voice anywhere – both the soothing rumble and the way it pronounced her name, as if caressing it with gentle fingers.

But where was he?

The voice was all there was. No figure materialized from the steam. But as the voice issued instructions, she followed them, a bemused expression on her face.

“There is a chair beside the tub for your clothes. If you wish to remain covered while soaking, you could exchange your garments for the cotton gown on the chair. However, you will not be disturbed should you wish to dispense with any clothing.”

Catherine was happy to follow the latter guidance. She stripped, all the while gazing around to discover Vincent’s hiding place. She couldn’t see one.

Stepping into the water was a delight – a warm bath scented with a bouquet of rosemary that was tied to the unused spout of the tub. The water flowing into the tub passed over it, releasing its aroma.

“Rosemary promotes relaxation, which is what is wished for you. Relax, Catherine, and enjoy a long soak.”

The pillow attached to the back of the tub was perfectly positioned for her to lie back and relax as she had been instructed, while the water stayed at a constant temperature, the flow continuing unabated from the rocks above her. Smiling, Catherine closed her eyes and let the warmth work on her, soothing her and easing the stresses of the day away.

The unseen Vincent’s voice advised her, “You will find a copy of Great Expectations on a table beside you, if you wish to read.”

She did not, in fact, wish to read. What she truly wished was for Vincent to join her in this unexpected place and read to her…or something. If only he would…or something.

Bravely, she took a chance. “Thank you for this! It’s perfect! But if you joined me, we could celebrate Read in the Bathtub Day together, Vincent. Wouldn’t that be delightful?”

There was no response. Well, she hadn’t really expected one. She would accept this romantic gesture gratefully, for the thoughtful, crazy, wonderful gift it was, and be content.

With her eyes closed, she didn’t see anyone enter the chamber, nor did she hear footfalls. In fact, she didn’t know she wasn’t alone until someone stepped into the tub.

It couldn’t be…could it?!

There was a sloshing sound as water was abruptly displaced by that someone sitting down.

She discreetly opened one eyelid to ensure she hadn’t fallen asleep, only to be dreaming that Vincent was with her.

How amazing to find that she was happily, thrillingly awake!

At the moment, his unclad chest and well-muscled arms were in full view as he leaned over to grasp the novel he had left for her, bringing it close and opening it to a favorite passage.

As the water flowed and the scent of rosemary permeated the air, Catherine lay back and listened to the most beautiful voice she knew read to her until she went all prune-y, as Edie would say…and until the book fell from Vincent’s hands and he occupied them in another way.

* * *

“So…Edie…I did it.” Catherine smiled like the cat that caught the canary.

“Did what, exactly? Something I would do?”

She shrugged. “I suspect you would, at that! But I had never done this particular thing before, and you said you had.”

Edie frowned. “I don’t get it. What?”

“I got all prune-y!”

Laughing in surprise, Edie replied, “Congratulations! And what did you read?”

Catherine raised her eyebrows, wiggling them. “Well, it was more like…braille.”