A Manhasset, Long Island country club, Saturday, 11:45PM
Don, Theo, and Mr. Hamilton were walking to the clubhouse after shooting nine holes of golf. As usual, Don had out stroked his father-in-law while Theo had beat them both, this time by a higher than typical margin.
"I did work on my putting on the ship," he explained modestly.
"Yes, you mentioned that over dinner last night," Don recalled.
"Well, one thing you didn't mention, Don," Mr. Hamilton said soberly, "is what's happening with this Hollister animal. You've made sure he stays behind bars before the verdict, yes?" He was hoping that his son-in-law had pulled strings to ensure that Olivia's kidnapper would get the harshest legal treatment.
"Both our expert and his think he's too disturbed to be unsupervised," Don explained, "so he's not going anywhere."
"So if his people think he's crazy, then he'll go either to jail or to an institution," Theo said with some relief. "He'll be under lock and key."
"Yes." Don nodded. He decided not to give them the full sentencing details---it didn't seem necessary.
"That's the best news I've heard since the adoption was finalized," smiled Mr. Hamilton.
Not yet, Don thought, at least not to my satisfaction---I want Hollister's rights obliterated!
"By the way," Mr. Hamilton continued, "when we were talking on the way home yesterday Olivia mentioned that a boy named Kenny Broscoe---"
"Briscoe," Don corrected.
"Well, she said he 'helped a lot.' I shushed my wife at that point---didn't want to upset the girl---"
Obviously Mrs. Hamilton must have instigated the conversation. She never lets anything stop her from prying where she shouldn't! Don somehow managed to hide his annoyance.
"---but I really would like to know about that boy," Mr. Hamilton was finishing. "He sounds like a very bright fellow. Is his father fellow police officer?"
As the male contingent of the family continued their conversation, the distaff members were enjoying a morning of shopping. First, at a chic boutique they helped Nessie select accessories to go with the colorful dress she had purchased in Nassau. Then, at a vast hobby shop, Mrs. Hamilton purchased an electronic game that Olivia pointed out, plus several action figures for Kenny because "he deserves a proper reward, Marge!" Then they visited an upscale stationery store, where Nessie ordered a monogrammed letter opener for Theo's upcoming birthday. Also, over her daughter's objections, Mrs. Hamilton purchased pencils, pens, notebooks, a binder, a calculator, erasers, a pencil sharpener, loose leaf paper, and composition paper for Olivia's upcoming school year. Finally, they visited gourmet deli, where fresh bagels, slice breads, various spreads, lunch meats, smoked salmon, and cheeses were obtained.
"So did my ladies have a good time?" Don asked back at the house later, as his wife and daughter embraced him on the patio, while Theo and Mr. Hamilton rose to greet their spouses.
"It was the coolest!" Olivia exclaimed.
"Sounds like you conned your grandmother into buying you something again," he said slyly.
"Really, Don," said Mrs. Hamilton, somewhat indignantly, "Olivia doesn't have to manipulate me to do anything for her."
"And that's a good thing," he said, remembering his daughter's needs. He caressed her cheek, smiling lovingly down at her.
"Grandma gave me a Battlestar Gallactica game," Olivia informed him. "I'll show you after lunch."
"That's right, we have a meal to prepare," said Nessie, clapping her hands. "I'll start the tequila sunrises---and the lemonade."
"Can I do the cold cuts tray this time, Grandma?" Olivia turned to accompany Mrs. Hamilton into the house.
"Yes, but remember, dear," the older woman replied, "we don't 'do the cold cuts tray.' We prepare the cold cuts on an appropriate tray."
Don gave Marge a deep and prolonged parting kiss to subside his annoyance. If it weren't for how much she loves her…
10:15PM, the Hamilton's billiard room
"Darn it! You beat me again!" exclaimed Theo to his niece. "Your boyfriend's unc---" He quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
"Mo-om!" Olivia blushed. "You told Uncle Theo?!"
"Boyfriend?! What boyfriend?!" Mrs. Hamilton chimed in, frowning at Don and Marge, who were sitting on a nearby loveseat.
"Hold it!" Don raised his hands. When it was quiet, he turned to his wife and asked: "What's going on?"
Marge looked embarrassed. "A few days ago, when you were having your car inspected, Olivia and I had a girl talk, and she confided that Kenny Briscoe kissed her a few days ago. She kissed him back, but she felt a bit confused about it all. I told her that she didn't have do anything she didn't want to and advised her how to put the brakes on the…the relationship, such as it is---if that's what she wants to do. I mentioned this casually to Nessie when we were doing the lunch dishes while everyone was swimming."
"And I let it slip to Theo when we were getting ready to come back over this evening," Nessie said, moving to stand next to her husband. "Sorry, Olivia."
Still red-cheeked, Olivia replied softly: "That's all right."
"Well, it's not 'all right' to have a boyfriend at your age, young missy!" Mrs. Hamilton began.
"Now, dear," Mr. Hamilton reassured, "I'm sure that Don will handle the situation appropriately, now that he knows what's going on."
"Yes, I will," Don said, glad an opening to leave his mother-in-law's presence for the night. He stood up and said: "Come on, family. Let's say our good-nights and go upstairs for a little meeting before bed."
A few minutes later in the larger guest room, Don sat on the bed with his wife and daughter on either side of him.
"Now, Olivia," he said gently, "I'm not upset with you for kissing Kenny or for thinking about boys."
"You're not?" Olivia looked surprised and relieved.
"No." Don smiled and shook his head. "Those are normal things for a big girl like you. And I'm glad you talked to your mother about matters. However, I don't want you to think that you can't come to Daddy, too. I want to help you in as many ways that I can, and besides, I used to be a boy myself!"
Olivia laughed, but she understood that her father had some insights that he could share with her. "All right, Daddy. I won't hide anything from you."
"And as for you," Don said turning to Marge in mock anger, "why didn't you tell me about this?"
"Well, when you arrived home, you were rather ticked off about the rejection sticker and how much it was going to cost us," Marge replied shrugging. "And of course the next day we had to deal with pricing mechanics, dropping the car off, taking Olivia to the doctor, picking the car back up before the shop closed, losing the power…"
"All right, I get it," Don said with a wave of his hand. "I wasn't in the best mood that afternoon, and it has been a very busy couple of days." And things still haven't completely settled down, and they won't until Hollister is locked up for certain---with his parental rights terminated!
"I was planning to bring it some opportune time in the near future," Marge said, "especially with Olivia starting 7th grade in a few weeks."
"Ewww! Don't remind me," Olivia said, making a face.
"But you seemed happy with those new school supplies," laughed her mother.
"What school suppli---never mind, never mind," Don said, smiling and shaking his head. "Grandma means well, and we are saving money this way. And now it's time for you to get to bed, young lady. We have church and Sunday brunch tomorrow before we return home."
After Olivia had kissed them and retired to the guest room that her grandparents had decorated and furnished for her, Don and Marge prepared for their final night in Manhasset. First, they changed into their night clothes: a pair of royal blue pajama shorts for him and a matching short strap night dress for her. Then she massaged his back with baby oil, causing him to become almost drowsy. Finally, they slipped under the covers, and Marge turned out the bedside light.
"I love you, Mrs. Cragen."
"I love you too, Mr. Cragen."
"That's Lieutenant Cragen!"
Laughing, she sat up and swatted him with her pillow.
Disclaimer: Battlestar Gallactica is a registered trademark.