Chapter 235 – Breakfast and Plans
"What is the plan for the day?" Frank asked.
"Nathan and I have to get some flat work done and a workout in." Doug said.
"The girls have a lesson with Marco at ten." Nathan said.
"They also owe me twenty minutes each on the piano." Trish said. "Girls, your new assignments for the week should be on your Ipads."
"Thank you." Maddie said. "We also will need to get a workout in."
"Lee, what about you?" Gran asked.
"I am planning to go over stuff for the show today and tomorrow." Lee said. "Also Jack asked me to make sure that everyone is registered for Schenectady, Cooperstown and Albany."
"Nathan, are you still planning on jumping?" Doug asked.
Nathan nodded.
"Good." Lee said. "I will make sure all three are registered for the shows. Trish, when I double checked, the girls will be able to jump at Schenectady. It is a schooling show. The best part, they should also be able to jump at Cooperstown."
"Girls?" Trish said.
"Please Mom." Maddie and Missy said together.
"Alright." Trish said. "As long as Margaret is fine with you staying."
"They are more than welcome." Gran said. "Besides, you will be back in the middle of August so it will be fine. They will all be able to go back to the city together."
"Why are you coming back in August, Mom?" Maddie asked.
"For Jack and Elizabeth's wedding." Trish said.
The girls squealed with delight.
"Girls." Gran said with a serious tone.
They both looked at her.
"You are being trusted with information." Gran said. "It is not to be shared or spoken about with anyone outside this house."
"Yes, ma'am." Maddie said.
"Yes, ma'am." Missy echoed.
"Good." Gran said. "Just so we are clear."
"Frank." Elizabeth said. "Maybe you and I could sit down and look at the motorhomes and what you want for the modular."
"That sounds good." Frank said.
As the group was finishing up, Jack wandered upstairs.
"Morning?" Jack said.
"Morning." Gran said.
"Thank you for letting me sleep." Jack said. "Also thanks to whoever covered me with a blanket."
"You are welcome." Frank said.
"Sit." Gran said. "I will get you some breakfast. Nathan, Doug and the girls need to go to practice."
"Lee, Elizabeth and Father Mark are on dishes." Gran said.
Elizabeth got up and went to give Jack a kiss before she started clearing the table. Doug, Nathan and the twins headed back to the stable. Once Lee and Elizabeth had the breakfast dishes cleaned up, minus what Jack was using, they both headed down to grab laptops and tablets.
Jack sat at the table eating his waffles and fruit. Gran and Trish were looking at him. Frank filled him in on how the horses were that morning.
"So." Frank said. "What happened last night?"
"I couldn't sleep." Jack said. "So I went and watched some TV. Where I finally fell asleep."
"Okay." Frank said. "You could have woke me if there was something that you needed to talk about."
"Nothing to talk about." Jack said. "I just couldn't sleep."
"Alright." Frank said, holding his hands up in surrender.
"No need for that tone, JP." Gran said. "Frank was just trying to let you know that he was there if you wanted to talk."
"Sorry." Jack mumbled, ducking his head.
"It is okay." Frank said. "Margaret, what is the plan for lunch and supper?"
"We will do sandwiches as usual for lunch this week, except Wednesday." Gran said. "Not sure about supper. We have plenty of ground hamburger so I could make meatloaf. I could do a beef roast or pork roast. We could do pizzas. Not sure yet."
"What are the plans for the rest of the week, food wise?" Frank asked.
"Wednesday we will do burgers and hotdogs on the grill for lunch." Gran said. "The evening will be very similar to last night. We may do pizzas if people want. I was thinking if we don't do the roast tonight, then I will do it tomorrow.
Friday morning, someone is going to have to run into town. We will need things at the farmers market and also to pick up an order from Primal. There might be some other things as well. It helped you went in on Saturday."
"No problem." Frank said. "Depending on how secure it is, I can run to town this week. I didn't have any problems on Saturday."
"Thank you, good to know." Gran said.
Jack finished his breakfast last, cleared his dishes and then started the dishwasher. He came back to the table, kissed his Grandmother and then went over to Elizabeth who had sat down at that point. He leaned down and gave her a kiss.
"I need to deal with horses." Jack said. "See you at lunch. We will sit down and talk about the wedding this afternoon."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
Jack turned toward the back door, but was stopped by Father Mark.
"Need something?" Jack asked.
"Two minutes of your time." Father Mark said.
Jack let out a small huff. Father Mark just pointed to the library. Jack relented because he knew he wasn't going to win. The two went to the library.
"So tonight for supper." Frank said. "Maybe pizza with fruit and veggies. Then the roast tomorrow."
"That would work." Gran said. "I might have you make a run into town tomorrow and get a few things. The fruit and veggies have been going faster than I had planned and there will be additional people here on Wednesday."
"I can do that." Frank said. "I told you I was here to help."
They were interrupted by a knock at the front door. Trish got up to go answer.
Father Mark and Jack got to the library. Father Mark shut the doors, turned and looked at Jack.
"So what really happened last night?" Father Mark asked.
"I told you I couldn't sleep." Jack said, annoyance in his voice.
"Why couldn't you sleep?" Father Mark pressed.
"Fine." Jack huffed.
"No need to get like that." Father Mark said. "After our conversations yesterday, I am concerned."
"First, I couldn't calm my body down." Jack said. "So I had planned to go take a cold shower in the gym. When I got there, I felt like an emotional wreck. I turned the a/c on, sat on the floor against the cool brick wall and cried until I was spent. Then I ran ten miles on the treadmill. Finally, I took that cold shower and collapsed on the couch. Are you happy?"
Jack crossed his arms and turned around. He felt the tears prick at his eyes again. He really didn't want to start crying again. It wasn't only eight in the morning.
Father Mark walked over and put his hand on Jack's shoulder.
"Please look at me." Father Mark asked.
Jack turned around. Father Mark opened his arms and Jack stepped into the embrace. Father Mark held him for a minute. He knew that Jack needed it, no matter how much he didn't think so. Father Mark knew that Jack was struggling with his emotions. He also knew that Jack was struggling because he previously pushed his emotions away and didn't deal with them. Father Mark was glad that at least attempting to deal with his emotions even if it caused him to struggle for a bit. Father Mark knew that it would get better, but Jack had to actually work through the emotions that he was feeling. It was another reason that Father Mark was glad that he was going to be around for most of the month to help Jack.
Trish opened the door and saw Peter and Andrew there.
"Come in." Trish said. "John said you were coming."
The three went back to the kitchen/dining room.
"Morning." Gran said. "Have you eaten?"
"Yes, ma'am." Andrew said. "But thank you. I will be in the office. Might need some coffee later."
"Just let us know." Gran said.
Andrew turned and went down the hall.
"Frank." Peter said. "Here is the paperwork for you. If you can, you can meet with the president of both banks tomorrow. They will have everything ready for you after ten tomorrow. As soon as you read and sign the paperwork, I will deal with the rest."
"I will get right on this." Frank said. "Can I just bring it to the office when I am done?"
"That would be great." Peter said.
He nodded to Gran and then headed to the office.
Father Mark let go of Jack and directed him to sit for a moment.
"I know that you are struggling right now." Father Mark said. "But it is a good thing that you are dealing with all the emotions that you have pushed away for years. It will get better and once you work through them, you will start to feel more even and not so much on a roller coaster. I am sorry that you are struggling, but continuing to push your feelings away is not the answer."
"How am I supposed to function?" Jack demanded. "I feel like I am spinning out of control. I am angry and want to punch something; then I feel like I am going to cry and can't stop. I cried for forty-five minutes last night and I didn't accomplish anything."
"But you did." Father Mark said. "I told you before, crying is a release of pent up emotions. Sometimes, that is all we can do. As I have said before, crying is not a bad thing. Also, I am glad that you didn't punch anything. If you want to hit something, we can go to the boxing bag hanging in the gym. You still have wraps and gloves? If not we can get some."
"That might not be a bad thing." Jack said. "I know the running helped, but I am feeling it in my legs a bit today. I do, however, need to ride, no matter how I feel."
"Are you sure?" Father Mark asked. "I don't know if running on Midnight is a good idea."
"I am not going to ask an employee to do something I won't do myself." Jack said. "I won't run him at full speed and he will be the only one, but we need to get him used to being on the rail. He needs to learn that the rail is not something to fear. I came up with a plan and sent the idea to Manny last night. He texted back this morning that they would set it up as soon as Dr Matthews clears him."
"Fine." Father Mark said. "But I am going over there with you."
"Fine." Jack said. "I said you could. I hope that you understand that I need to do this."
"I get your need to do this." Father Mark said. "But if I feel you are unsafe, I will put an end to it. You forget that I have my jockey license as well."
"Yes, Sir." Jack said. "Now, can I go check my horses and get some flat work in? I also want to introduce the girls to Bubbles and Squeak before Marco comes over to work with them. I know that they are going to start in the round pens with a join up, but I don't want that the first time that they are introduced to the horses."
"That is fine." Father Mark said. "I might come down and watch the girls join up, if we haven't gone over to the track."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I have a feeling the girls might draw a bit of a crowd. We haven't had a join up in a bit."
"I am sure." Father Mark said. "Are you still thinking of the other for Opal?"
"I think so." Jack said. "He is going to need some more work and if she starts lessons this fall, it would be just about right."
"Don't push her." Father Mark said. "I know she asked, but you need to talk to her mother and explain things to her. She is young and I don't think she understands the amount of work that will be required."
"I know." Jack said. "But I think it will help that it sounds like Becky wants to take some additional riding lessons as well."
"That would be good." Father Mark said. "I was always amazed neither of the older Avery kids chose to jump."
They sat there for a moment.
"Are you feeling a little better?" Father Mark asked.
"Yes." Jack said.
"Good." Father Mark said. "Then I will let you go. I need to talk to Gran about something, but then I will be down."
Jack took a deep breath, then stood up. Father Mark followed him to the door. They left the library. Jack nodded to those at the table as he went by. Father Mark stopped at the table for a moment.