![treasured friends treasured friends](https://cdn.quotesgram.com/small/60/97/1915277260-312032.gif)
The contents of these boxes are the memories of my childhood.
![treasured friends treasured friends](http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0003/657/MI0003657034.jpg)
Vincent was still facing her, and before he could turn to leave, Catherine grabbed the bottom of his cloak. These ornaments were part of her story, and more than anyone in the world, she wanted to share that story with Vincent. In a split second, Catherine changed her mind about being alone. He felt slightly hurt and feeling like an intruder, Vincent stood to leave. Vincent watched as all this played out, not just in Catherine’s expressions, but in her body language as well. Hurting Vincent was the last thing she wanted to do, but for once, she had to put her emotional well being first. She was grateful to Vincent for coming to check on her, but going through these boxes was something she had planned on doing by herself. I know we were going to meet later this evening but I felt your sadness, and wanted to see if I could do anything to help.”Ĭatherine now had mixed emotions. Vincent didn’t want to cause Catherine any more anguish and answered softly, “I just arrived. Wiping the tears from her eyes, and trying to regain her composure, Catherine cleared her throat and asked Vincent, “How long have you been standing there?” One look at Catherine’s face, confirmed what Vincent had been feeling through the bond. Vincent said her name so softly it was inaudible, and when he crossed the room and touched her gently on the arm, Catherine fell back, startled. Vincent was more worried about Catherine’s mental state than about entering her apartment, so he slid back the door slowly, as his eyes adjusted to the light, careful not to startle Catherine.Ĭatherine had been clutching the Santa to her chest for so long that she didn’t see Vincent’s shadow or hear him enter the apartment. She was holding something in her hand, tears streaming down her cheeks, and sobs racking her body. He stood silently on the balcony, watching her through the glass doors. It was earlier than they had planned, but the sadness she felt, was too intense for him to wait any longer.Ĭatherine had just opened the first box when Vincent arrived. Unable to concentrate on his book, Vincent decided to pay Catherine a visit. The smiles and the laughter didn’t seem as natural as they normally did. She had a smile on her face, and made time for each and every child, but she didn’t seem quite herself. The children’s choir had performed Friday night, and Catherine had been there, as she was for every event that involved the children. In the Tunnels under New York City, Vincent could feel an indescribable sadness in Catherine.
Treasured friends windows#
She plugged in the Christmas lights that adorned her windows and doors, hoping that would help, but it didn’t. Perhaps, some brightness would chase back the fears. She crossed over to the tables and turned on the lamps. Catherine had been staring at the boxes for so long she didn’t notice the time, or the darkness. The sun had set, and the shadows of a winter’s evening now filled the apartment. That thought made her smile now why couldn’t the boxes from her childhood have the same effect. From the youngest, to the oldest, she knew that each had been made from the heart. Since she had been part of the Tunnel community, her tree contained not just her items, but all the ornaments made for her by the Tunnel children. She even had one from that fateful journey to Disneyland, a Sleeping Beauty Castle. Some were specific to the area, others were just tchotchkes, things that had caught her eye, or made her smile when she was far from home. She had collected ornaments from everywhere she visited. Thankfully, Christmas Day was on a Monday, so no matter what the outcome, she would at least have tomorrow to recover, before heading back to work on Tuesday.Ĭatherine Chandler had traveled the world. She knew the moment that the first flap was unfolded, the memories would come flooding back, and she didn’t know if she would be able to handle the emotions that went along with those memories. Catherine was a realist in her head, she knew they were innocuous, just plain ordinary boxes. She had tried moving them to different areas of her apartment, hoping that the moment would come when she wouldn’t be able to withstand the excitement anymore, and race to unpack them, just as she did when she was a child. They had been in Catherine’s apartment since Thanksgiving. These were the last of the boxes from her father’s house. Every time she tried to open the boxes filled with all the decorations, she couldn’t get her hands to cooperate. Never, in all her adult life, had she waited so long to put up her tree. It was Christmas Eve, and Catherine still had not put up her Christmas tree. Maybe that sentiment was true for most people, but not for Catherine Chandler. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Those words kept running through her head.