Times Are A Changing Chpt6
Jason, Aaron, Josh and Jeremy had arranged a so-called business meeting breakfast after the previous day's excitement and insanity. Jason, Aaron, Josh, and Jeremy were discussing the fact that the girls didn't get home until 1AM. Kathleen reported that poor Maggie's skin was similar to a prune after scrubbing her down so many times. They tried to clean the clothes but while the smell was greatly diminished, the repugnant odor remained slightly, and Maggie did not want any risk it could contaminate her other clothes, so they were burned. Jason grimaced as he said "I was planning on advising everyone last night until all hell broke loose. A stagecoach is due tomorrow around noon and our beloved somewhat troublesome Uncle Duncan is arriving for the wedding on Saturday. He is bringing a friend from Portland who claims to have known us and would love to be at the wedding. He said it is a surprise." Jeremy rolled his eyes and prayed "Hopefully, whoever will keep him out of trouble. Is this serious, could there be another wedding looming?" Jason shook his head" I don't believe so, it sounds like an acquaintance who thought coming to the wedding would be fun." Aaron couldn't help himself "Has your uncle ever shown up and things gone smoothly? I wouldn't be surprise if his partner help turn things upside down. I would telegraph him the wrong date. For all you know this could be Miss Peak." The three Bolts put down their utensils and all agreed that they had lost their appetite. Jason admitted that a while back he had paid someone in San Francisco to keep track of Valerie and Emma. He wasn't surprised when both of them were found to be criminally unstable. Their family has a problem with mental illness, his person had actually heard that it was believed that Emma's mother had burnt the house in Seattle down and she constantly was under a nurse's care until her death. Last thing he heard that Emma had been hospitalized due to her increasing erratic behavior, supposedly Emma being hospitalized triggered Valerie into her own regression into insanity just last week and now both of them are once again together in a looney bin for the well to do." Josh appeared to have a chill go through his body "That was too close a call." Jason sighed "You think it was too close a call for you. She shot at me with intent to kill. I am always going to have someone watching them because now we have families to protect. I wouldn't take Kathleen to San Francisco if I thought they were strolling around still. When Kathleen said she bought the property from Valerie, I wasn't able to sleep for weeks."
Jeremy was anxious to get to work. They were beginning the foundations today on the four homes. Jeremy mentioned that the Greeks were anxious to work and quick learners. Jeremy calmly said" Jason, we need to smoke the peace pipe with the Telly. If this building business takes off the way it appears it may, we will need workers. You know Kathleen and Lottie are talking about a partnership which involves expanding the saloon and adding a floor and building a larger fancier dining establishment. We need workers and I was thinking we could help finance some Greeks to come to the Seattle for an agreement that they work for us for 2 years. I know Telly wants to fix things and from what I have seen, you may be in-laws some days." Jason shot his younger brother a look which would have silenced anyone but one of his brothers. Jeremy continued "You don't scare me; I know that you have to work on holding that anger in you. It is not natural for you to hold a grudge." Jason replied, "I would be just as upset if it was you or Josh that was laying there with a knife in them and bleeding out." Jeremy reached over to his brother's arm and said "Neither Josh, Johnathan, nor me think otherwise but we need you to resume your friendship with Telly. I believe that he has learnt his lesson. Let's move on big brother. I would like to arrange a visit to see Telly and please may he come to your wedding?" Jason looked around the table as everyone smiled at him "I see that you have all discussed this prior. We can go talk to Telly, but you know that he is very similar to Uncle Duncan, constant insanity." Jeremy and Josh rose from the table to go to their jobs leaving Jason and Aaron for their part of the meeting. Aaron apologized to Jeremy "I have to admit that once again, I had my doubts about you running this job but importing help is a great idea. I am proud of you little brother." Jeremy leaned over Aaron "You get away with calling me little brother this one time." They all laughed as the two brothers left.
"Okay, Aaron, what do you wish to discuss with me?" asked Jason. "Well, I have a bit of an awkward request of you, Jason. It really is a request from your sister, but she is trying to make me believe it is about me. First, I admit that I would like to attend the meeting in San Francisco with the contractors, Canon. This meeting is a huge step for our joint businesses if we expand to building houses with bathrooms or modern conveniences. We could be hitting this market before almost anyone else in Oregon and Washington." Jason sat back and stared at Aaron for about a minute "Do you and Jemma want to come on our honeymoon? I think we have a friendship of sorts, but I don't want my brothers or my sister tagging along on my honeymoon." Aaron squirmed in his seat as he felt this was an outrageous request he was making "The only place we have contact would be on the ship, we would stay with my sister. If you and Kathleen decided that you wished to do some sightseeing or have a meal with us it would be totally your choice. I would see you at the meeting only." Jason wondered "Why didn't you bring this up earlier? I would feel the same way about the meeting if roles were reversed so I totally understand. I probably would have just hidden on the ship and surprised you in San Fran." Aaron struggled with whether to inform Jason that his sister was the true instigator of the trip. Jason got up and leaned over Aaron's chair "Is Jemma pushing this request?" Aaron nodded yes. Jason ran his hands through his hair and return to his seat. "Aaron, losing our parents at early ages has left scars on all of us. Jeremy stuttered, Josh may suffer a bit of lack of trust, and Jemma worried about everyone leaving her. It was difficult going on business trips because she wanted to come. What Josh and I realized that her anxiety occurred when she knew in advance and then dwell on the fact that I might not return. So, we kept my trips secret until I was gone and for some reason, she handled it fine. She probably doesn't realize herself. Actually, I would appreciate you at the meeting so come. I can guarantee that she will find a reason to join us and that is okay. She turned out pretty wonderful in spite of me being her major role model" Jason looked at his watch and realized the women were coming for lunch to discuss wedding plans plus Marina was meeting with Kathleen about the growing relationship between Cassie and Johnathan. "Aaron, I think we want to escape before we are being asked what colors the flowers should be. "
As Jason opened the door, he was met by Kathleen, Maggie, Candy, Jemma, Cassie and Johnathan. "I can't imagine being greeted by a more beautiful group of women." Kathleen turned to her friends and advised them "These two will be running with their tails between their legs when they know we are talking about our wedding." Jason bent over and kissed his fiancé on her forehead "I love you and look forward to you being my bride Saturday." Kathleen put her hand on his cheek and peered into his blue eyes "I love you more." Aaron tapped Jason's shoulder to indicate it was time to get to work. Marina was at the entrance of the saloon so both men took this opportunity to slip through the door.
"Ladies, Marina and I need a moment with our children" advised Kathleen. Marina, Johnathan and Cassie sat at a table with Kathleen. Kathleen addressed Cassie "You will be going home with your mother after trying on the dress which Ann has for you at the dorm. He no longer needs a nurse. I have, however, been observing a maturing of your relationship about which I have alerted your mother. Marina and I do not wish to forbid the two of you from seeing each other but you will be sorry if you don't control yourselves. Johnathan wants to be doctor and Cassie, a nurse. You can kiss those dreams goodbye if you don't exercise self-control." Kathleen looked back at Marina who started "Sandra and Harry Hyland are expecting a baby very shortly. Cassie and Johnathan when she goes into labor, the two of you will be assisting them for the next month. You will take turns staying with them 24 hours a day to see how much fun having a baby really is and how it might interfere in your plans. You will get up when they awaken in the middle of the night, you will change their diapers, you will do whatever it takes. Babies are the result of sex and we want you to know exactly what that means. You can't go to college. This is not for debate. If you wish to argue then we will handle the entire situation to your fathers." A look of despair was on the faces of Johnathan and Cassie but however harsh they felt this resolution was, they knew their fathers' plan would be worse. Marina, Cassie, and Johnathan headed for the dorm but not before Johnathan turned and scowled at his mother.
Kathleen joined her friends "I am buying lunch and after which all of you need to try on your beautiful dresses. Essie and Anne will be fitting them at the dorm. I am having a professional taking tintype of everyone at the wedding. I can't believe that I am finally going to be Mrs. Jason Bolt. Lottie ,please join us as you are my matron of honor."