LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE

by Jessica Rupe

Closing her apartment door behind her, Catherine kicked off her heels and breathed a sigh of relief. Another exhausting work week finished, and it had been crazy. Depositions, chasing witnesses, trying to get people to talk about what happened so justice could be done. While Catherine loved her job, she was always burned out by Friday.

Dropping her mail on the side table, she listened to her answering machine messages while heating up some water for making some of William’s herbal tea. Looking in her cabinet, she found a small bottle of honey and some lemon juice. When the kettle was boiling, she put the loose leaf herb blend in her tea ball, put it in the cup, added water, honey and lemon to her taste, and walked back into the living room. Clicking on the radio as she passed it, a romantic rock ballad was starting to play. Listening to the lyrics made her think of Vincent.

I find myself in a strange situation
And I don’t know how
What seemed to be an infatuation
Is so different now
I can’t get by if we’re not together
Ooh can’t you see
I want you now and forever
Close to me

I’m longing for the time
I’m longing for the day
Hoping that you will promise to be mine
And never go away

I don’t want to live without you
I don’t want to live without you
I could never live without you
Live without your love

I ask myself but there’s no explanation
For the way I feel
I know I’ve reached the right destination
And I know it’s real

I’m longing for the time
I’m longing for the day
When I’ll be giving you this heart of mine
Believe me when I say

I don’t want to live without you
I don’t want to live without you
I could never live without you
Live without your love

Now I don’t want to live without you
I don’t want to live without you
I could never be without you
Be without your love
I don’t want to live without you
Live without your love
You see I’m lost without your love

Meanwhile, Vincent had quietly landed on the balcony from the rooftop. Peeking through the doors, he saw Catherine walking towards her small couch after turning on the radio. As she sat down with her mug of tea, she leaned her head back to rest on the back of the couch. Vincent’s hearing being as sensitive as it was, he heard the lyrics to the song even with the balcony doors closed. It gave him an idea. Removing his boots quietly, he opened the doors and walked in without a sound. Coming up behind Catherine, he could tell she was extremely tired as she hadn’t even heard him come in and looked like she was about to fall asleep. He removed his gloves, reached out, and firmly yet gently began to massage her shoulders, slowly working the knots of tension out.

Catherine opened her eyes as soon as Vincent removed his hands from her shoulders. “Thank you. Hello to you, too. I have missed you.” A gentle smile and a kiss on top of her head was his response. Walking around to the side of the couch, he helped her up and embraced her in a hug, then began to slow dance with her to the song on the radio. As the song ended, Catherine sat back down. Vincent sat on the floor in front of the couch.

“I felt your exhaustion as you were coming home from work,” Vincent said. Picking up her foot, he began to massage it, hoping to ease her pain from wearing those heels all day. “What can I do to help?”

“You just being here is more than enough. I have this weekend off and no big plans. I just want to relax and not do anything. Is there anything happening Below right now?”

“No, surprisingly. Father says everything Below is ahead of schedule, no big construction or maintenance problems that need our immediate attention either. Would you like to come Below and stay this weekend?”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you. Give me about 10 minutes to change my clothes and pack my overnight bag, and I will meet you at the threshold. How does that sound?”

“I will be there.”

That weekend Below was exactly what Catherine needed. Peace and quiet time with Vincent, spending time at the Falls reading to each other, eating William’s hearty and delicious cooking (including a picnic lunch at the Falls), an afternoon concert in the music chamber under the Central Park amphitheatre, and learning how to make candles and soap with Rebecca in the chandlery. She also kept her ears open, listening for any opportunities to help anonymously at a later time. By the time the weekend was over, Catherine’s energy was back, and she was feeling much better and ready for the week ahead. Vincent walked Catherine back to the threshold under her building.

“I wish I didn’t have to leave.”

“I wish you didn’t have to go.”

As Catherine walked towards the ladder, she stopped, then turned back around and walked back to where Vincent stood. They passionately embraced each other in a hug, then Vincent bent low and kissed Catherine lovingly on her lips. Then Catherine ascended the ladder. As she closed the sub basement door and pushed the boxes back into place, she sent her love and thanks to Vincent through their bond before taking the elevator back up the 18 floors home.

___________________

“I Don’t Want To Live Without You” by Foreigner, written and composed by Mick Jones