AN UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE

by JRo

 Catherine was curled up on her sofa, wrapped in a blanket with a mug in her hands.  She took one last sip and set it down, before grabbing a tissue as she sneezed, and then coughed for a few moments. Several tissues later, she decided to give up and go to bed. Just as she was about to get up, she heard a tapping on her balcony door.  She slid her feet into slippers and made her way out onto the balcony.

Vincent stepped forward, but Catherine put out a hand and shook her head.

He persisted and pulled her into a hug.  “Don’t worry Catherine. I have helped take care of many Below without becoming ill myself. A number of those Below, including Father, have been sick with the same symptoms as yours all week, so if I were to become ill, it would be from them and not you.”

He brushed the back of his hand across her forehead. She was still running a fever.

“How are you feeling?”

“Awful.”

Vincent sighed at the sound of her voice. She’d been a little hoarse yesterday, but today her voice was almost completely gone, and sounded painful. He stepped back.

“Catherine, get dressed and pack a few necessities. Come Below and stay with us.  Let us…me care for you.”

She shook her head, but he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Please, Catherine. I worry every minute that you’re here alone. William has plenty of soup and tea, and you can rest without being disturbed.”

She thought for a few moments before sighing. “Okay,” she managed to squeak out.

Vincent smiled. “Good. Do you need help packing?”

When she shook her head no, he told her he’d be waiting at the threshold.

After making his way Below, Vincent tapped a few messages on the pipes. He received replies saying that everything was being taken care of. Then he paced back and forth, waiting for Catherine for what seemed like forever.

Finally, he heard movement in her storage area, and she pushed open the access door. He caught her bags that she dropped down, then made sure she made it down the ladder safely. Geoffrey moved forward and picked up her bags before scampering off. That left Vincent’s arms free for Catherine as they began the trip towards the home tunnels.

* * *

“Okay, I’m finished.  You can stop your grumbling.” Peter stepped away from his patient and began to put his instruments away.

“Well, Jacob, I think you’ll live. Your lungs are clear and your fever has broken.  Your sinuses are still a bit tender, but that is expected. As for your voice, I’m afraid your cough has caused some inflammation. I think the best course of action is for you to keep resting, use this cough medicine that I’ve brought, and to refrain from all talking for the next seventy-two hours. I’ll be back on Sunday to check on you.”

“Now really…” Father croaked.

Peter closed his bag and turned to his friend. “Yes really, and your silence starts now.” He helped Father back into bed and pulled up the covers as a message came over the pipes.

“Sounds like Vincent was able to get Cathy to come Below. I was going to stop by to see her on my way home, so he saved me a trip. From what Vincent has told me, the two of you will be recuperating together for the next few days, so you better behave.  Now, get some sleep.”

Vincent and Catherine reached the home tunnels.  As they approached the guest chamber, Mary met them coming from another direction with a tray.

“Catherine, I was so sorry to hear that you’ve been ill. I’m glad you’ve agreed to come down for a few days.”

“Thank you Mary,” Catherine tried to say, but almost no sound came out.

“Oh you poor dear. Let’s get you dressed for bed. Peter is here and will want to take a look at you. Then we’ll get you fed and tucked in for the night. Vincent, can you please take this tea to Father?”

A short time later, Vincent walked into the guest chamber with a tray of soup and tea. “How is she?” he asked Peter.

Peter smiled. “I think she’s probably almost over the worst. She’ll bounce back over the next few days. However, I’m afraid I’ve given her the same order that I’ve given Jacob. I don’t want her to talk for the next three days.”

Vincent glanced over to Catherine, who looked both miserable and annoyed. “I’ll do my best to make sure she doesn’t.”

Peter chuckled. “Well then, you and Mary will both have your hands full. I’ve left some cough syrup with Jacob. I think Catherine should take it as well. Mary knows the correct dose.”

“Thank you, Peter,” Vincent said.

Peter kissed the top of Catherine’s head and then said goodnight. When he’d gone, Vincent pulled a chair next to Catherine and brought over her tea and soup. Once she’d eaten and taken her cough syrup, Vincent left to get a book while she finished preparing for bed.  Then, he tucked her in and read to her until she fell asleep.

By late afternoon the next day, Vincent’s classes were finished for the week. He had spent a few minutes between classes with Catherine and had lunch with her in the guest chamber. She was still running a low fever and spent much of the day reading or dozing. With an hour to go before dinner, Vincent stopped by again. He could feel that she had just awakened.

When he entered the chamber, she turned her head towards him. He sat down on the bed next to her. Her face was pale and covered in a faint sheen of sweat. He put his hand to her forehead and smiled.

“Your fever has broken. Are you feeling any better?”

She held up her hand with her thumb and forefinger a little apart. Vincent went to the dresser, poured water into the wash basin, and wet a cloth. He gently wiped her face and neck as he heard footsteps in the passageway.

“Catherine, it’s Mary.”

“Come in, Mary.”

Mary came in with a pitcher. “Oh, hello Vincent.  I’ve brought some fresh water.  How are you feeling, Catherine?”

“I believe her fever has broken.”

Vincent moved so that Mary could sit. She also felt Catherine’s forehead.

“I agree. I’m so glad. You’ll be feeling well again soon. Now, I think a nice bath and clean sheets are in order. Vincent, could you please gather some fresh linens for me?”

A little while later, Vincent brought a dinner tray to Catherine, who was sitting up, refreshed after her bath. Together they ate the vegetable stew William had prepared for dinner. Vincent was happy to see that Catherine had at least a small appetite this evening. While they ate, Vincent told her about the lessons he’d held with the children that day.

When they’d finished, Vincent left for a minute to return their tray to the kitchen.  He met up with Rebecca in the passageway.

“Hello, Vincent.  How is Catherine?”

“Her fever is broken and she is feeling a little better.”

“That’s good. I was on my way to give you a message. Father was hoping that you would visit with him this evening. I know you planned on spending it with Catherine, but I think he’s feeling a little lonely after being cooped up in bed all week. If you like, I could spend the evening with him instead.”

Vincent sighed. “Thank you, Rebecca. I’m afraid I’ve not spent any time with him at all today. If Catherine is feeling up to it, we will have tea with him. If not, can I send you a message on the pipes?”

“Of course.”

He returned to the guest chamber, where Catherine was looking in her bag.  “Is there something that you need, Catherine?”

She sat back down on her bed and reached for the pencil and paper. She wrote something quickly, and turned it around for him to read.

“You forgot to pack a book? Catherine, we have hundreds of books below.”

“I can pick something out for you, or,” he hesitated, “I can take you to the library to pick something out. Father has asked to see me. If you’re feeling up to it, you can read while I visit with him for a short time. If not, Rebecca has offered to keep him company this evening.”

Catherine picked up the pencil again. ‘It would be nice to stretch my legs.’

An hour later, Vincent was wishing he’d taken Rebecca up on her offer. Father was in a sour mood. They were playing chess, and Vincent had been trying to prolong the game rather than make Father even more irritable by beating him quickly. He wasn’t sure what was worse, listening to Father talk about whatever was bothering him, or sitting across the chessboard from him when he could only stew in silence.  The only saving grace was that Father had given up on using the paper and pencil.

Catherine was curled up on a loveseat, almost asleep. She had selected a book, but only read for a short time before putting it down. Vincent could sense that she was not feeling well again, so he finished the game.

“Checkmate.”

Father glared at him.

“Father, it was a good game. Now, if you’ll excuse me, you need your sleep, and I need to take Catherine back so that she can sleep as well. You both should feel better tomorrow.”

He kissed Father on the forehead, then gathered Catherine into his arms and took her back to the guest chamber. When she had prepared for bed, he came in to sit with her.

“I’m sorry, Catherine. I didn’t realize he would be in such a poor mood.”

She squeezed his hand in sympathy. Vincent smiled and pulled out the book they were reading. He didn’t even make it halfway through a chapter before she was asleep.

* * *

Catherine woke to a flurry of activity on the pipes but didn’t know enough to understand the messages. She made her way to the bathing chamber and washed up, then dressed. She was feeling better today. Her head had stopped spinning, her cough had eased, and her nose congestion was almost gone. She waited for a little while, then made her way to Vincent’s chamber, disappointed when he wasn’t there. When she stopped back out, she nearly ran into Rebecca.

“Catherine, I’m so glad I found you. It looks like you’re feeling a little better.”

Catherine nodded and opened her mouth to speak, but shut it again as she remembered Peter’s instructions.

Rebecca smiled. “I think I can guess what you were going to ask. Vincent is sorry that he couldn’t see you this morning. One of our helpers brought a large delivery of supplies. A group started moving them Below, but the wheel on a cart broke and somehow the cart hit a support beam. It dislodged and broke a pipe. Vincent is helping make the emergency repairs. I’m sure it won’t take long. In the meantime, I can bring breakfast to the guest chamber, or you can join me in the dining chamber.”

Catherine motioned towards the dining chamber. As it was Saturday, William had coffee, tea, toast, and muffins out so that everyone had the option to sleep in a little and eat late. After eating, Rebecca excused herself, and Catherine headed back to the guest chamber. She tried to read, but the book wasn’t holding her attention, so she decided to head to the library to pick out another.

As she expected, Father was sitting at his desk. He was looking better than the night before, but still seemed to be in an unpleasant mood. She nodded a greeting and he nodded in return. He went back to reading the paper as she headed to the bookshelves. She put the borrowed book back and then began scanning the shelves, trying to figure out what she might like to read, but nothing seemed appealing.

As she started on the next set of shelves, she heard Samantha greet Father and give him a message before joining her.

“Hi, Catherine. Rebecca said you might be here. Are you looking for a book?”

Catherine nodded.

“What kind of book are you looking for?”

Catherine turned her hands up and shrugged. Samantha asked a few questions that fortunately required only a yes or no response, then disappeared around the next aisle. She came back with a small stack.

“Ok, you wanted a story, but nothing serious and nothing too long. What about these? I know they’re kids books, but you might like them. I’ve read all of them and they’re really good.”

Catherine looked at the titles: Anne of the Island, Dancing Shoes, and a Nancy Drew mystery. She smiled and pulled a notebook out of her pocket.

‘Thank you, Samantha. I haven’t read books like these in a long time.’

Samantha beamed. “Oh good. If you like these, we have more of the Nancy Drews, and almost the whole Anne series, plus a few more by L.M. Montgomery. One of our helpers who moved to Pennsylvania sent us three boxes of books their daughters didn’t want anymore.”

A voice called out for Samantha from the entrance to the library. “Come on, Samantha. The others are waiting.”

Samantha handed Catherine the books and said a hasty goodbye to her and Father as she ran out of the chamber. Catherine smiled at her youthful exuberance. Books in hand, she made her way across the library. As she waved to Father, he peered over his paper to see which books she had selected.

Father gave a small smile, then signed and motioned to the chair across from him.  Catherine hesitated, but sat down as Father began writing on a pad of paper.

‘How are you feeling?’

Catherine pulled her notepad out again and replied. ‘A bit better. You?’

‘Better. How is your throat?’

‘Still sore. Yours?’

‘Mine too.’ Father paused, then wrote again. ‘I apologize for my behavior last night.’

‘Thank you, but I think Vincent needs the apology more than I do.’

At Father’s glance, Catherine raised an eyebrow at him. With a sigh, he nodded.  They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments, until Father picked up his pen again.

‘I know I’m not good company, but would you like to stay here to read until Vincent returns?’

Catherine had planned on going back to Vincent’s chamber, but she figured it wouldn’t hurt to strengthen her relationship with Father. She picked up her pen again.

‘Should I go get a fresh pot of tea?”

Several hours later, Vincent walked into the library.  Father was dozing at his desk and Catherine was asleep on the loveseat. He sat down at her side and gently brushed his hand across her forehead. She stirred slightly and slowly opened her eyes. When she saw him, she smiled.

“I’m sorry, Catherine. I didn’t mean to leave you alone this morning. Are you feeling better?”

She nodded and took hold of his hand.

“The pipes just sounded the lunch call. Would you like to join me?”

She nodded again and he helped her to stand. Taking her hand, he paused by Father’s desk to wake him, then headed to the dining chamber.

After lunch, they spend the afternoon at the Chamber of the Falls. Catherine was frustrated by her mandatory silence, but enjoyed her time with Vincent. He read to her for a while, then they just sat together watching the dancing water. At one point, she dozed off in his arms. When it was almost time for dinner, they slowly began the walk back.

Vincent led her to his chamber and brought dinner back so that they could eat in privacy. To ease Catherine’s discomfort, he too wrote what he wanted to say. They had a quiet dinner, and unlike the slightly uncomfortable silence she’d had with Father earlier, this silence was pleasant.

When they had finished, they gathered the dishes and walked them to the kitchen.  They ran into Rebecca, who invited them to the library.

“You should come for game night. We have lots of the usual games, but we’re also going to play charades and Pictionary, with an adaptation. There are so many residents who are still recovering and have little or no voice, we’re going to have to write everything.”

Vincent looked at Catherine. He could feel that she was torn, but also that she was excited at the prospect of fun. “Catherine, would you like to join in?”

She nodded with a smile. He took her hand and they headed to the library.

* * *

Sunday passed all too quickly. Catherine was feeling much better, and they took a walk, spending as much time as they could together before the inevitable time came for her to return back Above.

It was just after lunch that Peter came Below. He went to Father’s chamber first, and then to the guest chamber. Vincent paced in his own chamber while he waited for Peter to finish. He paused in his pacing when Mary came in with clean laundry.

“Hello, Vincent. Stop fretting. Peter has declared that Father is well enough to start talking again, on a limited basis. I’m sure that he will find Catherine to be doing well also.”

“Thank you Mary. I’m sure he will, too.”

“Then why the nervous pacing?”

Vincent stopped and put his hands out to his sides in a hopeless gesture. “I don’t want her to go, but I know that she must.”

“Yes, she must go today, but that doesn’t always have to be true. When you are ready to ask her to stay, she will.  I have no doubt about that.”

“But, Mary, I can’t ask her to give up her life to be with me.”

“My dear Vincent, she won’t be giving up her life. She will just be stepping away from one part of her life that doesn’t bring her joy. Then she will begin a new part of her life that will bring her, and you, great joy.”

With that, she took her basket and left the chamber. Vincent stood still as he thought about what she’d said. He hadn’t stood there for long before he heard Cathereine’s footsteps approach. She walked into his chamber and put her bags down, sensing that he had something on my mind.

“Vincent?”

Her voice was a little weak, but beautiful. He stepped towards her and pulled her into his arms.

“Oh, Vincent, I wish I could have talked with you all weekend. Writing my thoughts takes too long, and it isn’t the same as having a conversation.”

“Yes, but I’m glad that you came Below and that you are feeling better. I see that you’re packed to go back Above.”

She sighed and stepped back. “Yes. I wish I didn’t have to go. After missing almost a full week of work, I’m sure Joe will have a huge pile of work on my desk tomorrow morning.”

“Perhaps that will not always be the case. Perhaps someday you won’t have to go back.” The hope in his voice was unmistakable.

Catherine looked into his eyes, almost speechless with the implications of his words. “Perhaps that day isn’t too far in the future.”

Vincent took her hands. “Then I guess we will need to have a long discussion soon.”

She stepped closer and tipped her head up as he tipped his down. “A very long discussion, and very soon.”

She pulled his head down the last few inches and kissed his cheek before placing a quick kiss on his lips.

He looked into her eyes for a moment, then bent his head to return her kiss with one of her own.

“The sooner the better.”