Playmates

Story and Illustrations by Vickey Brickle--Macky 1992

 

 

The two lovers sat hidden under the protecting foliage and
shade of the grove of trees on the hillside overlooking the
drainage tunnel. From there they could watch not only the park
but the beginning sunset as well. It was their special place, a
safe place away from prying eyes. What made it safe was that only
a few feet away from where they sat lay the new hidden entrance
to his world. Their new sanctuary had been discovered by chance
by Mouse. It was his gift to them--a place where Vincent could
come out in the daylight and enjoy the beauties of the upper
world. Beauties that he had long believed to be forbidden to his
eyes because of the danger of daylight exposure. It was a gift
beyond measure as had been the whole incredible afternoon.

Catherine had laughed when he had brought her through the
new tunnel and out the hidden door to this place for she had
immediately recognized where she was.

"Vincent, I used to play here when I was young. This was my
hideaway from the world--and from Daddy on occasion. No one
could find me here. . . and now it is our place--how wonderful!"

He looked at his beloved both pleased and amazed, a slight
smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he too looked around
and remembered this place in different times.

"I used to play here too--but only at night. It's only been
recently that Mouse discovered the hidden way to this place. When
I was young I had to come up from the central tunnel and go
across the park to get here."

Catherine looked a little startled, and began to look at him
more closely with a raised eyebrow and arms folded across her
chest. She shook her head, telling herself it was too fantastic
too wild a possibility. . . that . . . .

Vincent too was puzzled at her behavior, "What is it
Catherine ? What troubles you so?" He asked solictly.

"You played here as a child too?" She asked mysteriously.

"Yes, both before and after Devon left, when I was around
ten to maybe fifteen. Why?" Vincent asked still puzzled as he
tried to understand the tide of feelings pouring from her through
their bond.

She nodded mysteriously, smiling broadly at his answer and
his continued bewilderment. "You wouldn't be the one who left
the blanket under the bush by the hollow tree?" She asked trying to
pin him down.

It finally dawned on him what she was getting at and he
looked at her with wide eyes, not believing, but wanting to. It
was with great difficulty and awe in his voice that he replied to
her, "Yes. . . and you're the one who left the notes??"

"She grinned and nodded, wonder and happiness in her eyes,
radiating her whole being as she glazed back at him. "And you
answered me and wrote me poems and stories. I still have them. It
was you, Vincent, all those years ago-- I can't believe it!"

"Catherine, how can this be? You--me--as children??"
Vincent questioned wonderingly, still stunned, "But the notes
they were signed 'April'," he inquired puzzled as he took her
hand and led her to a spot where they could sit down.

Catherine laughed, and grinned up at him. "My secret identity.
I was only ten and I thought it was really neat to have a real
secret friend, I made up a name so if it was one of my
schoolmates they wouldn't know and tease me at school. Then you
signed yours, if I recall, 'The Prince'."

"Well--," Vincent stammered somewhat embarrassed, "it seemed to

be the right thing to do. We were both make-believing," he reminded her with a
slight chuckle to his voice.

"Yes, we were." Catherine agreed, smiling happily with
remembered memories of that time. Then a frown crossed her face,
and she asked, "Then the notes stopped for a while--why?"

Vincent sighed deeply, and looked away across the park
trying to repress the feelings starting to rise from within him.
"Devon left. He disappeared into the world Above, but we didn't
know it. I thought him dead or worse. I could not write because
my heart had died. I could no longer pretend. It was a deep
sorrow that I could not recover from for a long time."

"I know. I felt that something was wrong even then, but I
kept writing hoping that you would reach out to me, talk to me
again, and you did after many long months." Catherine said,
reaching out and brushing his hair from his face so she could see
his face and expressions.

"Yes, I did, and you understood, in a way that no one could
understand me down Below."

"And you understood me too, Vincent. You helped me through
the pain of losing my mother. Helped me through the darkness,
like you helped me through the loss of my dad as well." Catherine
said gently, a touch of sadness crossing her features, but then
she smiled again and hugged his strong arm. "You were wonderful
then, and you are wonderful now, my Prince."

He smiled too as he looked down into her happy face, his
sapphire blue eyes clear and bright with dancing lights of hidden
merriment and contentment.

"You know I used to dream of you?" Catherine said shyly,
almost embarrassed to say it.

"You dreamed of me?" He asked incredulous, wondering if she
would ever cease to surprise him.

She nodded smiling, "Oh, I didn't know what you looked
liked, not really. But that wasn't from lack of trying. I spent
several nights camped out here hoping that I'd be able to met the
mysterious signer of notes. Once I came close to seeing you but
it was dark and you turned and left before I got a really good
look at you. What I did see made me think I was having a dream."

"I remember. That was you sleeping in the bushes? You really
scared me. I thought for sure I was caught and I could imagine all

kinds of dire consequences if Father ever found out. So you did
see me?" Vincent asked smiling.

"Just a little. You reminded me of Puss and Boots from the
fairy tale dressed in your cape and your strange clothes. But I
also knew you had to be the note writer who called himself "the
Prince," because it fit."

They sat down upon the blanket he had brought, getting
comfortable by leaning back against the large tree that provided
the shade for this hidden grove. Yes, there were many memories
here, for both of them, Vincent now recognized. Fate had been
working its mysterious hand even then.

"I did not frighten you?" he asked.

She had to think about it, "No, not really. At first I
thought you we some drunk or even Daddy finding out I wasn't
staying over at a girlfriend's, coming to drag me home. I only
saw a glimpse of you as your hood slid back while you were
leaving your latest note. You were too much fairy tale to be
real." She explained, then added, "I sometimes even wonder now if
you're really real."

He almost laughed but didn't, "I am as real as you want me
to be," Vincent said taking her hand in his. "But I am glad I did
not scare you. You never said in your notes that you had seen
me." he inquired curiously.

"I thought it was you but I wasn't sure and I didn't want
you think I had been spying. I was afraid you'd stop coming if I
told you I saw you."

"I almost did, because you scared me. But I couldn't keep
away, our friendship was too important to both of us then.
Neither one of us had anyone we could really reach out to except
each other. You were my world even then, Catherine, but you
didn't know it. I worshipped you from afar and made up stories
and dreams in my head where you were with me sharing the wonders
of Below." Vincent confessed, his shaggy mane of hair hiding his
features somewhat so she could see his embarrassment.

"I know, you left me some of those stories along with your
notes. But they weren't all stories, were they? You were just
putting you and me in your world and then making up adventures for
us. I loved hearing about Father, and the others, you going to see
Narcissa, visiting the Chamber of the Winds, Winterfest, and the
waterfall. No wonder so much of your world seemed vaguely
familiar to me because I had visited it through your stories."
Catherine said with wonder in her voice.

"Yes," he admitted, "I wrote about my world, knowing that
you would think they were only stories because such places and
people could not exist."

"Boy, was I wrong." she laughed. "Your stories were so
vivid, so real, that I could see everything through your eyes.
It's a shame that you couldn't do something with them like get
them published as fairy tales for children." Catherine suggested
suddenly struck with an inspiration.

"Catherine, they were only stories meant to amuse you. I
hardly think that my childish writings would be worth publishing.
And then Father would have a fit if he knew that anyone wrote
about our world." Vincent said seriously, looking at her in
disbelief.

"Who says he has to know. Besides it would be fun, it would be
something we could both work on. And after we are done I could
call Jenny Erikson and she if she could help us get it
published. I do have some connections," she laughed getting more
and more enthusiastic.

He looked at her dubiously, not believing that she was
really serious. "You are really serious, aren't you?" he asked.

"Yes, I am. I told you I still have all your letters and
stories at home. It's just a matter of going over them, editing
and putting them all together. I'd even contribute a typewriter
or a portable computer and printer to help us, one that would run
on batteries or on electricity." Catherine cheerfully went on.
Vincent's eyebrows arched up, he was totally dazzled by it
all. Computer? Printer? He did all his writing on paper by hand.
He knew Catherine had a computer at her apartment, but he had
never been near it or any of the other modern electronic devices of
her world that she used so easily. What she was suggesting was
having these devices below so he could use them to write his
stories. Mouse was the only electronic user below, except for the
occasional stereo or radio in the upper chambers. He couldn't
even begin to guess at Father's reaction to these devices.

But he thought he'd better say something before she got
completely carried away, "Catherine, I thank you for your
generosity. But I hardly think the tunnels is a proper place for a
computer. Think about what Father's reaction might be." he
suggested, gently.

She looked puzzled for a moment then realization of how a
computer would drastically alter the old world balance Below
dawned on her. "Oh!" she said, "It had not occurred to me how
much that a computer could change your lives. Just like Father
didn't like the idea of me bringing a TV or VCR down for the
children. He'd probably object to a typewriter too?" she asked.

"No doubt. Our world is a throwback to the past. Father does
not want us to be dependent on the things from Above, because
then there would be no differences between the two worlds. That
is why you like Below because it doesn't have all the modern
distractions of phones, computers and TV's. We like our quiet so
we can think and dream." his voice was sad with regret that it
had to be so, but there was also pride as well because they could
live separate and apart.

Catherine nodded in understanding and sighed. "The quiet
that you have is rare here. And maybe that's why I liked your
stories as a child because you lived a more simpler and
rewarding life than I did. You had to find ways to amuse yourself
rather than letting yourself be amused by the devices of my
world. So many children just exist, they do not dream, or create,
or know how to play without the aid of a mechanical device. Some
don't even interact with others because they have lost the knack of

it. Reading is becoming a lost art for them because they'd
rather watch TV or play video games. No, I will not be the serpent
that temps Eve into taking a bite of the apple." Catherine
replied, seeing that Vincent understood the analogy.

"That is wise, but there is a solution if you are still
serious about my writing children's stories," Vincent began to
suggest, getting her curiosity up.

"Which is?" she asked, intrigued.

"I write them on paper and you put them into your computer
at home. And we could edit them there as well." He suggested.
"You mean I'd actually get you into my apartment, instead of
your lurking about on my balcony?" she smiled, delighted at his
suggestion.

He smiled back, his eyes lit up with mischief, "Possibly,
we'll see," he teased, enjoying hearing the music of her laugh.

"So when do you want to start?" Catherine asked, feeling
bubbly and alive with the prospect of their new project.

"Tomorrow night. That way you can find the stories and we
can begin to go over them together. We can meet Above or Below in
my chambers, and possibly have dinner?" he asked, surprising her.

"Okay, . . .," she answered slowly, thinking. "Let's make it
Above and we'll have Chinese."

"Agreed," he said, enjoying every moment of this. It had
also occurred to him that this was one way they could spend more
time together, possibly undisturbed from the pressures of both
their worlds.

And listening to Catherine tell of the children of Above, it
had made him sad that they had so little to challenge their
imaginations. He knew how his stories delighted the tunnel
children, so the same might hold true for the topsiders. He hoped
Father would be pleased by what he was going to do. He also
thought that if such a book were successful this would be a way
to help bring money in for things the community needed. There was
so little he could ordinarily do to help. The whole thing made
him feel very good inside.

Catherine watched the interplay of emotions across his face
as he thought about all the possibilities that this book could
mean to everyone. She didn't know what he was thinking but his
happiness was too apparent which made her happy too. She grasped
his furred hand and felt very close to him at this moment
realizing what a big challenge they were taking on. Because they
were become an us, slowly but surely. No longer were they two
separate people living separate lives except for living quarters,
still, and her work. With luck even those things would change,
could change.

Even now she tried not to regret her decision to return Above
after her father's death. Vincent had accepted her going so
calmly, but she knew he had been saddened by her going. She had
not be really ready then, even though she had thought for a
moment she had been. They had been through so much together, and
she felt there was more to come, both good and bad.

Life was a journey with paths taken or not that enriched us as
Vincent had said to her not too long ago. They were truly on a
journey now that had its true beginnings when they were young. It
had been interrupted for a while but they had found each other
again and now it was back on track going in directions they had
never thought possible.

She loved this man beside her more than she had ever loved
anyone in her life. Without him there was nothing. She knew and
felt this in the very depths of her soul. One day they would get
past the barriers they had erected and would be together as they
could only dream about.

Catherine sighed as she looked off into the distance barely
seeing the gorgeous sunset before her.

Vincent looked up surprised, puzzled by her sigh. "What
troubles you," he asked.

"Nothing," she answered unwilling to let me know her
thoughts, but he already did through their bond.

"Are you sure?" he asked carefully, knowing he would not
really get an answer.

She leaned back and rested her head against his chest, she
felt his arm go round to encircle her and draw her closer. At
least he is getting over some of his shyness, she thought to
herself.

"I'm sure. I'm happy that you want to write the stories and
we can do something together. Do you ever regret my not staying
Below?" she asked, feeling him stiffen a little.

It took him long moments to answer her as he too looked off
into the distance not seeing the sunset as well. Finally he
answered, being truthful with her, "Yes. When you were Below it
gave me so much joy and happiness. There was pain but there was
also hope for a future together. My world still feels very empty
without you in it. But I accept your decision. I will not put
chains on you to hold you." He answered his voice low as he tried
to keep his sorrow back.

She moved her head to look up at him at his confession. She
had not fully realized how he felt until now. "Why did you not
tell me that you wanted me to stay, I would have gladly if I had
only known." she said carefully.

"I know, that is why I did not. I feel I have no right to bind

you in anyway from what you must do for you. Asking you to stay
would have been selfish of me." he confessed, believing it to be
so.

"You are never selfish, Vincent. You never think of
yourself. It's always what you can do for others or what is best
for them. Just once do something for yourself, please." she
asked, touching his face gently with her hands getting him to
look at her.

"And what is it that I should do for myself?" he asked in
return.
"Quit hiding your feeling from me. Tell me what you are
feeling when you are feeling them." she asked, seeing pain cloud
his eyes, knowing that this was hard for him to accept or do with
her. "I really didn't want to return Vincent, I kept waiting for
you to tell me to stay, to really live in your world --with you.
But you never did, and instead you told me that my destiny was to
be a woman of both worlds. I gave up hoping and made myself
return." Catherine confessed, watching his eyes widen with
surprise and confusion.

"You thought I didn't want you, so you left?" The
astonishment clear in his voice.

"Yes. I was torn between going and staying. I wanted
desperately to stay, to be with you, but you told me to return, so
I did." she replied hoping that her words were sinking in.

"I misunderstood you, and so I was trying to make it easy
for you to return. The entire walk back I wanted to stop you and
bring you back." Vincent confessed, his mind in a whirl.

"Why didn't you?"

"I was afraid. You were so determined and seemed happy to
return. My asking you to stay would have been wrong." he relayed,
seeing himself again walk beside her and feeling the pain of
their parting again.

"No, it wouldn't have, " she protested, "letting me go was
the wrong. We make each other suffer so much because we don't
talk as we are doing now. I would gladly give up everything to be
with you, don't you know that by now, Vincent?" she asked
searching his beautiful face for clues to what he was feeling.

"I do know that you would, but still it troubles me that you
would have to sacrifice so much. That is why I let you go." he
answered feeling her pain.

"You don't have to. We can find more ways to be together, to
even live together, if you want that. I do, and not in separate
rooms or beds." Catherine confessed, feeling and seeing his shock.

"Catherine!" he exclaimed, not sure how to respond. He had
had many similar thoughts about her, but he had kept them to
himself, not even daring to dream of her wanting him that way,
though he had suspected it was so. In his mind being and living
together would only be a continuation of what they now shared
with its limited touches and hugs. He had not dared hope for
more.

She looked at him both surprised and amused, "You really
hadn't thought about what our being together always really meant to

me, did you? Did you think I meant us staying as we are and not
allowing us to get physically close?" she asked, sizing up the
situation.

"I was not sure. I suppose that is what you meant. I still
find it hard to conceive of you wanting me as if I were an ordinary
man or your wanting to make love to me as a man." Vincent said
carefully, his embarrassment plain.

It was her turn to look shocked, "And you have never had
such thoughts about me? Making love to me? Please tell me,
Vincent," she asked wanting to know if she had been mistaken
about how he really saw them as a couple.

"Catherine," he began to speak and couldn't tell her how he
really felt.

She made him look at her, and his pain and fear was plain,
but she pursued because she had to know his answer. "Vincent, you
have to tell me. I need to know how you really feel--please," she
begged gently.

"Catherine, I love you," he began slowly, "and I have always
wanted you from the first moment I saw you. But I could only
dream and hope that you might care for me. It was beyond my
wildest hopes when I discovered that you did care and that you
desired me. At first it was enough to be near you, close to you.
Your touching me, and wanting my touch made my heart soar, and I
began to hope for more, but only in my dreams. It has only been
in recent months that I have pushed the boundaries I had set for
us. In my dreams we are together in every way. I have not allowed
myself to dream so in a long time, not since Lisa. There are many
possibilities of our joining in these dreams, some good, some bad.
I am not sure how it would be if we were to join." He confessed,
his pain was very acute and evident.

"I know, I have had similar dreams. It is even possible that
we somehow share them when we sleep. I believe in our love, and I
know the man that you are. It would be as we want it to be in the
best of our dreams, I'm sure of that." she said willing him to
believe it also. "But it is nice to know that you do think of me
as a woman and that you have physical needs too. I had begun to
wonder." Catherine added with a smile.

"Probably too much, when you are close like this." Vincent
confessed shyly. His eyes losing some of their fear now that so
much was out in the open.

"I did not think my being close had any effect on you." she
teased.
He laughed, and smiled down at her, his eyes sparkling as he
replied, "if you only knew how many times I had to leave you
because of the effects you were having on me. The waterfall is a
good substitute for cold showers."

"My water bill has been quite high recently." she added
with a smile. "Why is it so hard for us to talk like this?
We finally understand how each other really feels. Now what are we
going to do about it?" she asked, wondering what their next
moves were going to be.

He sighed, and held her more closely to him. "Make changes
and adjustments," he offered hopefully. "I can think of one way we
can start."

"Which is?" she asked curious to what he had in mind.

"Something I have wanted to do for quite a while," he smiled
down at her, his eyes shining.

"What?" she asked, noting that he was bending his face
towards hers, and not daring to believe what she was thinking.

"This," he murmured as he gently kissed her lips. Then he
drew back to see her reaction.
Her eyes were closed and she was in the position he had left
her in with her lips still waiting for his. If he had not been
holding her then she would have fallen over so relaxed was she.
Her eyelashes fluttered open after she felt him move back. She
looked up at him puzzled.

"Why did you stop?" she asked.

"I wanted to see your reaction." he replied, as he felt her
move to a more comfortable position in his arms. "And, I was not
displeased."

She arched a eyebrow, then thought better of the retort she
was going to say and said instead, "I'm glad. I know you don't
have much experience, so just trust your instincts and let your
heart guide you."

"I will, Catherine. Do you want to stay here or walk? It
seems that night is beginning to fall." He said becoming aware of
the deepening colors of the sky.

"Maybe walk. But what I'd really like is to get some dinner.
It's been ages since I've eaten." Catherine commented, noting
that her stomach was empty and almost growling.

"I was thinking that food would be necessary sometime soon,
and that William would have dinner ready about now. Would you
care to join me for dinner?" he asked, inviting her to come
Below.
"I'd love to. He's better than any of the chiefs I know at
some of the fancy restaurants." Catherine replied, remembering
other dinners fondly.

"I'll have to tell him that," Vincent said getting up, and
then helping her to her feet.

They stood there for a moment holding hands, savoring the
experience and remembering the days events and the changes now
being wrought into their relationship. They had come so far is
such a short time making discovery and discovery about
themselves and each other. Once they had been only playmates
now they were bonded and becoming lifemates. Still holding hands
they walked to the hidden entrance to the grove and went Below
to join the community at dinner and tell of most of the new
discoveries and plans made today. And later that night the two
continued their discussion and began to make other discoveries.

END

 

 

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