MY FUNNY VALENTINES
MY FUNNY VALENTINES
FATHER'S CHAMBER
Jacob sat thoughtfully, pen in hand, staring at the paper and trying to convey his private thoughts. Sighing, he ran his hand through his already disheveled hair and snorted softly. "Valentines Day . .hummf" he said to the silent rocky walls of his chamber. Sighing again, he dropped the shabby pen on his desk.
But in his heart he knew he really didn't feel that way. For Mary, earth mother of the tunnels, defender of all things small and frightened, was very special to him. Oh, they'd had their differences, he thought silently, with a wry smile. For gentle as she appeared, Jacob knew there was a will of steel tucked away when she fought for her children or an issue in which she believed!
And that, along with her sweet smile, gentle touch and an amazing pair of hazel eyes were the things he loved most about her. "Loved" he said aloud...yes, in many ways he did love Mary, though he rarely allowed her to see his feelings.
And so once again he took pen in hand to make yet another attempt at a Valentine to place in the scarlet envelope that lay so prominently on his desk!
VINCENTS CHAMBER
The silence in his chamber was broken only by the scratching of the ancient pen in Vincent's golden furred hand, which from time to time grew silent, punctuated by an occasional deep sigh, as he searched far the proper word. And though entries in his journal could ebb and flow like the tides, for some reason this special attempt to write a Valentine for Catherine was going very slowly.
The night before, as he had stared into the golden gloom of the night burning candle in his chamber, a dozen thoughts had come to mind, rushing pell mell thru his mind of this glorious creature he had wonderingly began to call his own.
But tonight, those thoughts he had almost gleefully hoarded, had fled, leaving him silent and frustrated. At last he leaned back in his shabby chair, allowing himself to give way to thoughts of her. Then suddenly he smiled, seized his pen again and began writing furiously, with an occasional glance the scarlet envelope that lay on his desk, waiting expectantly for its contents!
MOUSE'S CHAMBER
"See Jamie's Valentine, Arthur?" Mouse said to the slumbering raccoon that lay in a heap in the middle of his bed. Arthur stared at the colorfully lettered paper, through sleepy eyes, then slipped back into the marathon nap he had been taking.
"Too bad Arthur can't read" Mouse said proudly, as he reread his work of art for the tenth time. He had decided to ask for no help this year in his attempt to create an original Valentine for his friend and cohort. 'No love stuff for Jamie" he said to the comatose Arthur and all things considered, he had done pretty well!
He was especially pleased that he had managed to rhyme "spit" and "admit" in the text of his poem! Jamie would love it! Now all that was left was to allow the ink and glue to dry before he slipped his creation into the scarlet envelope that lay on the cluttered table beside his bead.
The envelope would be the perfect touch and he had been elated to find it along with several others in a dusty box in the storage chamber. Its bright color had not even faded, though the glue around the edges had dried out a bit.
His thoughts now turned. happily to the decorated Valentine box that even now sat proudly in state, in the dining chamber, where the community Valentine party would be held later this week. Painstakingly decorated in old red Christ-mas tissue and trimmed with bits of lace and ribbon from Mary's sewing basket, it had been growing fuller by the day, as members of the tunnel world had stealthily added to its contents, in hopes of keeping their contributions secret until Valentines Day.
At last he slipped the Valentine inside and placed it carefully on the table, after solemnly sealing it inside. He would deliver it tomorrow before anyone was up, but now a pile of shiny stones, collected some time ago, caught his eye and thoughts of the Valentine, now out of sight, was also out of mind!
Carefully Kipper carried the scarlet envelope that Father had handed him outside his chamber, with firm instructions to deliver it to the Valentine box, swiftly and without smudges from his slightly grubby fingers. He had also in-structed him to tell no one, which did not seem to be a problem as the passage-way was now totally empty.
But in the distance he could see the familiar massive form of Vincent, hurrying down the path. Heeding Father's warning, Kipper slipped the envelope beneath his clean but much patched sweater. "No one" he decided, might also mean Vincent and though he would trust Vincent with his life,' Fathers Valentine was another matter!
"Kipper" Vincent called out "You're out quite early this morning!" "Ah... breakfast" Kipper muttered... "William's making pancakes for breakfast!" It was the first thing that entered his mind. "Ah yes..." Vincent said with a smile. "William's pancakes.. .Kipper, I wonder if you would do me a favor since you're going that way?"
"Sure Vincent.. .anything for you". Handing him the scarlet envelope with Catherine's Valentine tucked safely inside, he said "Would you see that this goes into the Valentine box?" Kipper colored slightly, thinking of the duplicate one he carried beneath his sweater. Taking it carefully between his fingers he smiled brightly and said 'Sure Vincent.. .going that way anyhow."
Vincent ruffled his slightly shaggy hair and thanked him before continuing on his way down the rocky path. Once he was out of sight, Kipper withdrew the first envelope Father had given him, then returned both to their place under his sweater. It was turning into quite a morning for deliveries!
Just then, as he veered off the path toward the dining chamber, Mouse's eager voice called out. "Kipper.. .wait up!" Pausing for a moment, Kipper waited for Mouse's long strides to catch up, as he cautiously patted the front of his sweater.
"Kipper...do Mouse a favor" Mouse said breathlessly almost running into Kipper in his haste to stop. "Sure Mouse.. .what'd you want me to do?" "Have to go back to lower tunnels now! Forgot Vincent's best hammer. Promised him to return yesterday.. .sure glad Mouse didn't borrow from Father ! Kipper laughed and said "Father wouldn't loan you a hammer anyway Mouse.. .not after you dropped his favorite pocket knife in the abyss!"
Mouse grimaced slightly, still remembering kitchen duty for a month after the pocket knife incident. "Probably right, Kipper.. .besides" he said with a shrug, "Vincent has best tools!" Then slipping his hand inside his jacket, he pulled out a scarlet envelope. "Kipper put this in the Valentine box for Mouse?"
Kipper blanched slightly at the appearance of yet. a third scarlet envelope, then said "Sure Mouse.. .going that way anyhow" he said as he thought silently, "am I ever!" Holding the envelope he watched Mouse going at breakneck speed in the direction of the lower tunnels.
Then slipping it inside his sweater and laughing to himself as thoughts of Mouse searching the better part of the tunnels for Vincent's hammer, he began to cover the distance to the dining hall to complete his errand. With head down, searching for rocks for his rock collection he suddenly stumbled on an oversize pebble and fell face down into the path, barely managing to keep from scraping his hands and knees on the uneven walkway.
Limping slightly he dusted his already dusty clothing with the palm of his hand and realized with great dismay that all three precious envelopes had slipped from his sweater and what was even worse had become unsealed and were now empty, their contents scattered like bright rose petals oh the ground!
Glancing quickly around to be sure no one had seen his fall and the scattered Valentines, he grabbed each one from the ground and began to stuff them back into their envelopes. Then suddenly he had an idea to make Valentines Day more inter-esting.. .and completing his task with a wicked little grin he hurried off in the direction of the dining hail. All this thinking had made him hungry)
Valentines Day in the tunnels.. .celebrated not unlike the holiday above, arrived at last. Evidences of the special day could be found. most everywhere I Slightly crooked construction paper hearts, mounted by some unknown means hung outside most chamber entrances and chains of paper hearts festooned most chambers. Even Fathers chamber boasted a slightly tattered pudgy cupid, propped against a stack of books. It had appeared mysteriously and though Jacob had fussed a bit, he had not taken it down and had even straightened it!
There were heart shaped muffins and strawberry jam for breakfast and most everyone sported a bit of red on their clothing, even if it were only a bright piece of ribbon. And amid the breakfast chatter, couples and would-be couples sat a little closer and whispered secrets on this day for lovers.
Lunch would be cold cuts and shiny red apples donated by a gracious helper as the kitchen crew would be busy helping William prepare his special "Beef Bourguignon", the ingredients which had mysteriously appeared in big cardboard boxes from above. There were even huge cans of Bing cherries for cherry tarts!
At last it was the dinner hour and the long tables in the dining chamber, covered with white butcher paper, had been set with the tunnels finest! And though the cups and plates and glassware did not match, they could not have been lovelier in the glow of Rebecca's rose colored candles, tinted with her carefully hoarded supply of old red crayons!
Centerpieces of tissue paper carnations, constructed by the children, adorned each table in all their wobbly splendor. And for those brave enough to declare their love, some tables had even been set with small hand lettered placecards for "reserved seating"!
The community began arriving couples and groups, rapidly filling up the big room. Vincent had called for Catherine earlier and had chosen a corner table for the two of them that adjoined Father and Mary's table. While nearby, Mouse, Jamie and several other of their young friends gathered noisily, teasing one another and ignoring Fathers stern looks!
In their private corner, as dinner was at last being served, Vincent stared at the lovely vision sitting next to him, in her red velvet dress, with its softly curving neckline. The crystal he had given her shimmered in the candlelight against her glowing skin and a tiny pair of golden hearts that he had given her the year before, dangled from her ears. Even as he filled his eyes with her, she moved closer and he could feel the warmth of her body and inhale the scent of her perfume!
Tapping on his water glass, Father offered a blessing and then proposed a toast for lovers everywhere in honor of the occasion, giving Mary a tiny side glance as he did. Those sitting nearby were rewarded with her happy smile and rosy blush as Jacob sat down and inched his chair closer to hers! Love was definitely in the air.
At last, after dishes were cleared and profuse compliments made to William and his crew, the heavy Valentine box was carried to the front of the room. As Master of Ceremonies, Father would direct the delivery of all Valentines and he and Mary had already made certain that there were Valentines for everyone, especially the children.
The young ones, now practically beside themselves with excitement, re-ceived the first deliveries, along with bright pink boxes of Conversation Hearts, courtesy of Catherine's generosity. Then they became the runners for the many envelopes stashed away in the old fashioned Valentine box!
Three sets of eyes watched carefully for a certain scarlet envelope to be delivered.. .but soon it was apparent that there were similar ones. But as luck would have it, the three envelopes were delivered at almost the same time!
A puzzled Jamie, sitting next to a fidgeting Mouse spoke out loud "My hazel eyes warm your day?" Amid hoots of laughter, Mouse grabbed the Valen-tine from her at much the same time that Catherine read "You must admit I sure can spit?" Reacting much the same way that Mouse did, Vincent grabbed the card from Catherine's astonished fingers to read it himself. Meanwhile, Mary had neatly opened her scarlet envelope, blushed slightly at its contents and simply said "Oh my!"
From a not too far corner, Kipper watched the proceedings with great delight until a watchful Pascal realized that he must indeed be somewhat responsible for the confusion, now giving way to laughter at the nearby tables and grabbing him by the collar, deposited him firmly in front of Father, Vincent and Mouse, their stern expressions making him think that perhaps this might not have been such a good idea!
Sometime later, after the Valentines were re-delivered to their rightful owners and were greeted with warmth and delight and a contrite Kipper had been chastised, the evening began to draw to a close. Jacob and Mary decided to share a small bottle of port together and Mouse and Jamie and their friends, it was rumored, had challenged each other to a "spitting contest" near the abyss!
Catherine and Vincent retired to his chamber and now sat side by side on a couple of old floor cushions, drinking steaming cups of raspberry tea. "And are you sorry that you're missing out on the contest at the abyss, my love" Vincent said with a chuckle, as he moved a bit closer to his lady in red.
"I think I am exactly where I'd hoped to be on this special evening" she said teasingly as she edged closer to the warmth of his arms. "Well, almost" she said softly. Pulling her into his arms, before he covered her soft mouth with his, he said "And would this be the place you desired, my love?" "Oh yes, Vincent" she said in a husky tone as his lips met hers... "this would definitely be the place!"
Judy Loyd
© 1998 jogrant@wans.net
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