A/N – I figured as busy as I seem to be I'd publish this now and a second in a few days over the long holiday weekend. I think I'll publish the updated Pegasus Christmas Story as a one shot and then just incorporate back into the story when I hit that part in the next few chapters. Hope you enjoy this installment, have a great year end regardless of what holidays you celebrate or don't and stay safe.
Chapter 89
Amy walked into the kitchen following the smell of coffee and found Trish going through files. She was dressed in her hospital blues with her special nurse utility belt attachments, forceps, scissors, flashlight, tape and the rest, her stethoscope tucked away in her smock pocket . Her hair was back in a tight French braid, her make-up professional. There was a duffle bag by the kitchen entrance.
Amy on the other hand was in low waist sweats, sneakers and a tank top. She had a towel over her neck draped on her shoulders and the sheen of sweat slowly drying on her body.
Trish looked up and smiled as Amy poured herself coffee and grabbed a bottle of water and then another.
"That Ty is an animal."
Amy laughed as she opened the first water and sat down. "I just ran 5 miles. You waiting for Pat ?"
"No, I'll walk."
"With that sack ?"
"It's a duffel bag and yes it's just 5 blocks Amy."
"Almost 6 New York City avenue blocks Trish."
"You just ran 5 miles, it's way less than that, why would you do that anyway ?"
"I'm about to eat my way through 4 days of stress."
"That's true, good coffee by the way and the bagels are well, fresh New York bagels, guess that says it all."
Trish checked her phone when it beeped and finished her coffee. "That was Shoshana, gotta go Amy."
"We'll see you at 10:00 Trish. Let me know if there are any changes in the arrival schedules for the Thibaults and the Engels."
"Try and relax today Amy."
"I'll try Trish, you're not in all day right ?
"Both families should be in and out by 2:00 for their prelims. I'll leave everything else to the on call staff. I'm on at 5:00 AM tomorrow for the surgical run throughs and the check ins."
"Tell them I'll see them all tomorrow."
"I will sweetie, I'm off."
"Good morning Patricia, heading out already ?"
"Early morning stuff Betty, go through the suites and catch up with my crew."
Betty found Amy finishing her coffee, two empty bottles of water alongside her. "Kids ?"
"Not up yet, late night with the show and all."
They had gone to the newest Disney Broadway extravaganza, Simba's Pride and stopped for a snack after. Jackson faded in the limo to the house and Ty carried him up to bed.
"Ty ?"
"He stirred and turned over."
"And you, sleep Ok ?"
"Come on Betty let's not start, I slept on and off."
"Did you eat ?"
"Hydrated and had coffee, I'm heading to the shower. I'll have a bite when I'm dressed, you staying here ?"
"Yes, I have to talk with Lisa about schedules, I'll be here for the kids. How are you dressing ?"
"Jumper, tights probably, it's a museum day."
"I'll mention dresses to the girls, it'll be nice."
Amy smiled; no matter how many years Betty lived at the ranch, to her a proper family outing had girls in dresses and boys out of jeans. Recently she'd agreed that dress jeans were Ok. Amy would mention dressing up a level to Ty who seemed to have become more Ok with the notion in his 30's than he was in his 20's. She had as well and now enjoyed getting on a dress every now and then. Secretly Amy felt that a dress was officially her way of not being at work.
On her way to the stairs up to her room she met Jackson on his way up from his and took her hug and good morning kisses right there in the large hallway before he headed off, chore free, for breakfast. The house itself was not designed ideally for Amy's tastes or at least now with Ty it was weird for her.
In all, the brownstone itself had 5 stories which included what was called a half basement which was half underground so it still had windows though not really full. The first level and the basement made up one duplex apartment that they leased by the year with discounts offered for multi year leases. The current residents a middle aged same sex married couple, both attorneys, were in the second year of a five year lease. For a ridiculous $9200 a month plus utilities they got both levels, the small rear courtyard and one of the three parking spots they maintained at the garage across the street. The tenants considered it a steal.
The other three levels and the roof was the family's space. It leased in six month intervals for $260,000 or $500,000 per year. The last resident was the Adjutant General of the Belgian Mission to the UN. The main entrance to the home was on the middle level reached by an elaborate carved oak staircase. This level housed two bathrooms, the kitchen, kitchen eating area, formal dining room for 24, parlor/library and formal living room. The ceilings spanned an impressive 15 ft overhead except in the library where it rose through the upper level to a glass cupola in the rooftop. It was a large open airy space, the kitchen modern in granite and stainless steel. Windows in the front and back were 12 ft tall starting two feet above the ground. The walls painted in tans, grays and whites were decorated with large bright 3D artwork representing NY. There were several glass sculptures set to throw the light from the windows. There were three somewhat distinct seating areas in the large living room, one off to the side, one around the fireplace and one near the piano.
Jackson had come from the suite of 4 bedrooms downstairs one level. One small master with an en-suite bathroom and three rooms that shared a hallway bathroom. The girls insisted on sharing, Jackson had one bedroom for the two nights he'd be home, Trish took one and Betty took the master. Lily would get Jackson's room when she arrived. Wade wouldn't be joining them until the weekend. Until this weekend, on the few trips where they had used the house before Ty, they had all fit on one level. They could have still but this is what she had decided.
Ty and Amy were on the level above the main level in one of two larger master suites, the second of which would go to Jack and Lisa. This level had a large open family room area with cozy couches and chairs, fireplace a big screen TV movie system and a stereo. The electronics built to be out of sight unless called for.
The staircase up from this level stopped at a steel door next to a small serving kitchen and a half bath. The door led to the roof garden where there was an open pit fire, a bbq set-up, a hidden TV screen and several seating areas around a large glass cupola which was the centerpiece of the library's skylight.
Amy let herself into her bedroom and seeing Ty still asleep snuck across to the bathroom. They met as she wrapped a towel around her leaving the shower and he dropped his sweats.
"Not the best timing I guess" Ty said smiling and leaning over for a kiss. "You get any sleep Ames ?"
"I did, just up early, don't worry about me sweetheart."
"Well" Ty said turning on the water and waiting a second before stepping under the stream "I'm gonna worry no matter, let's try to forget it all today."
"After the appointment."
"After the appointment which is bloodwork and vitals ?"
"Yeah, and to meet the team. Tomorrow after check in they'll do the battery of x-rays and the others will be here."
Amy dressed and answered emails while Ty got ready. They came out of their room to find the kids lounging in the family area with iPads and magazines.
"What's this ?" Amy asked leaning over to kiss and hug the girls.
"Gran wanted to do breakfast all at once and she was on with Grand Mere, Casey and Lily so …"
"Got it Mad, Ok, well we're all ready so let's head down."
Amy turned and found Ty sitting with JT and tossing an outdoors magazine on the small coffee table. "Ok buddy, well, take it from somebody who lived in Alberta the last 15 years of his life, neither you or I are sitting in a tent on the ice to fish. I can also guarantee that no one's letting GG do it either. I will say this, I've been looking into other possibilities for us and we've got a ranch in Mesa, Arizona where it's 60's in January, sometimes 70's. So, you forget all about ice fishing Jackson and we'll see if we can't take our fishing on the road, google fly fishing in Arizona."
"and GG ?"
"I think Lisa would be thrilled with GG in Arizona in Winter for as long as we can keep him there."
"I would too" Amy said putting out her hand for JT to take and walk with her.
Ty was the only one who hadn't seen Betty yet this morning and went over to give her a kiss good morning. "how 'bout you Gran, sleep well ?"
"Relatively Ty, I think we're all in the same boat on that one."
"I slept great." Jackson said grabbing a bagel and looking at it for a second "cut please Charlie." He said handing the bagel over.
Charlie smiled and grabbed the bread knife to cut the bagel in half.
The plan was to finish breakfast, straighten up and head to the hospital. Amy figured about an hour with the up down, hellos and hugs and Jackson's poking and prodding. From there to the Museum of Natural History for a few hours before Jackson's lunch choice Shake Shack.
"I definitely get the running." Ty said looking at a Shake Shack menu on an iPad while nibbling on his second small cinnamon raisin cake. "What the hell are these things, they're amazing."
"Rugelach, rolled pastry, they come in different flavors. They're Eastern European Jewish." Maddie said grabbing one. "They're addictive."
"The whole city is addictive." Charlie added. "We should all go run in the park."
"Let's not go overboard Charlie, I'm sticking to the treadmill." Amy said with her hands up.
Amy had texted Pat when they stared straightening up the kitchen and when they opened the front door he was waiting next to the car just a little down the block.
"Good Morning Amy, Ty, Betty, all good ?" He said as they walked up and the kids got in first.
"Good morning Pat, all good with us, you ?" Ty asked.
"All good Ty."
The ride on a Sunday morning took 10 minutes and Ty watched as Pat pulled up to a security gate and handed a card to the guard who hit a button and pointed to the left where Ty saw a set of doors and a uniformed gentleman at a small podium.
Pat pulled up and the man at the doors immediately walked up and opened the rear car door which they all eventually climbed through.
Ty caught a quick conversation with Betty had with the valet and a second later they were walking into a surprisingly well apportioned sitting area. Before even having a chance to ask, the elevator to the side opened followed by a rush between Amy and an olive skinned dark haired woman in scrubs.
They hugged immediately "Shalom Shoshana it's good to see you."
"Shalom Amy" the woman answered smiling and then turned to hug Betty before stooping for Jackson "oh shalom Jackson, you look wonderful."
Ty had spoken with Dr. Shoshana Bar-Lev several times but had never seen anything other than a picture. She had a true Mediterranean countenance about her and what he learned was an Israeli exuberance. She smiled a lot. She had dark black hair, smooth tanned skin and dark eyes. Her bright smile and shining eyes were infectious. She stood about 5' 8" and in short sleeves it was easy to see she was in excellent shape.
"Ty, it's good to finally meet you" she said pulling him in for a hug and kissing his cheek.
She then turned momentarily and scooped the girls into a hug. "Come, come, we'll catch up a little upstairs."
After greeting Shoshana, Betty walked over to a small desk and signed them in accepting badges for them all and handing them out as they walked into the elevator.
Jackson stood in front of Ty as the doors closed and Ty lay his hand on Jackson's shoulder. He felt more than saw Jackson jump a little at the touch and leaned over to scoop him up.
"Hey buddy, you Ok ?" Ty whispered.
"Yeah, little scared." JT whispered back.
"How little ?"
"Not going home."
"Good man" Ty whispered pulling him closer against him and kissing his head.
Amy watched from the side and smiled as the door opened and Ty dropped Jackson down to the ground as they all focused on Trish and a male taller version of a dark skinned Shoshana came down the hall.
He reached for Amy first and wrapped his arms around her as she did the same and then each kissed each other's cheeks. "Shalom, shalom Asher." Amy said. "How are you ?"
"Shalom Amy, I'm fine, Renee and the kids are fine."
"Ah Ty, it's good to meet you finally."
"You too Asher." Ty said shaking hands over Jackson's head.
"And you Jackson, you've been well I hear."
"All good Doc." Jackson said accepting a hug and returning it exuberantly when Asher bent over.
As Asher moved on to Betty and the girls Trish put out her hand to JT. "Ready buddy, two vials, temp, heart and pressure."
"Let's get 'er done." Jackson said taking Trish's hand.
He glanced back at Ty and Amy with a smile as Maddie looked up "easy part bro."
Jackson smiled and gave her a lopsided thumbs up before catching up to Trish.
"So come sit for a moment" Asher said walking over to a very plush seating area.
"What ?" Amy said sitting down.
"Nothing, calm down, Renee is coming Wednesday to stay over the weekend."
"Oh, lovely, you have a place to stay ?"
"Yes, yes, of course but she is coming with a purpose, a dress for the wedding."
Hearing this Amy immediately went into her schedule of going in for a fitting on Thursday and that Renee was definitely welcome. Ty took a moment to look around. He hadn't paid attention to the arched doorway or the wall with the portrait and plaques. Now looking up he noticed the large shining brass words above the entrance to the suite which read The Marion Bartlett Fleming Foundation Pediatric Orthopedics Surgical Center.
Noticing his gaze Maddie got up and took his hand and walked him over to the other side. Ty had expected to see a portrait of Marion but instead came to a family portrait. Lyndy stood to Marion's right just behind her with her right hand on Marion's shoulder. To Marion's left a young Lou stood with Amy standing in front of Marion, Marion's arm around Amy's waist.
Under several proclamation plaques Ty noticed a brass board with 2 dozen names at least 12 he had heard of. Benefactors to the suite as well as friends and clients of Pegasus. He expected to see Charlie and the Branch's as well as several others but seeing Trevor and Bert's family's listed was surprising. He couldn't imagine what it cost to get one of these up.
"Not a bad bunch to hook up with I guess" Maddie said noticing his gaze.
"Bunch of miscreants if you ask me." Ty laughed putting his arm around Maddie's waist.
"Ty, come on I'll give you a quick tour." Asher said walking over and stopping at the arch. Like Shoshana his English was very good but spoken with a heavy accent.
There was a main surgical theatre that was outfitted like a space ship. He spotted a two seat control and monitor center, a series of machines on the ground or dangling
from tracks suspended above and what appeared to be VR goggle head-ware.
"The three surgeries Tuesday and Wednesday will be in this operating theatre, there's nothing we can't handle in here. Jackson's and the other surgeries are well planned but the fits and finishes go either way so it will take adjusting, here we can do that all at once."
He showed Ty around the two smaller surgical rooms, 6 recovery suites with their own small seating area, two lounges, a lab, a chapel and several offices before finding Jackson sitting up in a side office and having EKG leads pulled off his chest by Trish.
"All good ?" Ty asked walking in.
"100%" Trish said handing JT his t-shirt and holding his button down shirt in anticipation.
"Outta here ?" Ty asked looking down at JT when he walked over tucking his outer shirt
Into his pants.
"Yup, dinosaurs, they have a T-Rex."
"An actual T-Rex ?"
"Skeleton, it's huge." Jackson reached up for Ty's hand as they turned the corner to the hall leading to the main seating area where the family was waiting.
Jackson immediately broke free and over to Amy who smiled and drew him in for a hug. "T-Rex ?"
"You bet." He said taking his jacket from Maddie and pulling on his hat.
"Dinner ?" Amy asked turning to Shoshana while buttoning her coat.
"We'll be at the townhouse at 6:00" Shoshana said.
"Or earlier."
"If we can Amy."
"I can send Pat."
"We'll walk, it's fine and the fresh air is nice, maybe home."
Pat drove the family uptown on 5th and then through the park to the American Museum of Natural History where once again there was a a special entrance and parking for the limo. Once again they were met by a museum docent who welcomed them and made sure they were all set before offering to act as a tour guide.
Declining her offer they followed Jackson and the girls towards the stairs, first stop for Jackson the famed Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs. Jackson ended up holding hands with the girls as they walked together, Ty and Amy came together arm in arm behind them with Betty nearby on Amy's left.
"I've never seen anything like this." Ty said looking around at the marble stairs and the imposing lobby and structure, so big that it apparently housed whole dinosaurs.
"Pretty amazing place, the Museums here in NY rival any I've seen anywhere. The Metropolitan is breathtaking, Museum of Modern Art, you could literally spend a month at 4 or 5 of these museums and still find things to see."
"You never struck me as the art type Ames."
"I like looking at beautiful things, I grew up around the natural beauty of the foothills which is really unmatched but to see beauty created from nothing, it's, I don't know Ty, makes me feel good about being a human."
"Are we benefactors ?"
"The is not Rochester Ty, we're donors to the New York City Arts Conservancy which handles many different art projects. Charlie's a major benefactor to several individual causes, NY Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Museum, MOMA."
"So we're out of our league ?"
"Let's say we're AAA, maybe minors."
Jackson walked over and took Ty's hand, "come on, the Hall's this way."
Amy smiled as Ty was pulled away and Betty took his place.
"He's in for a whirlwind tour." Betty said laughing.
"Yeah, Jackson loves this place, I'm glad he's got Ty to focus on."
"How's Ty doing ?"
"Feeling his way, did you see him in the elevator with JT ?"
"I did, you sure it's best he goes back to the ranch with the girls ?"
"It's only 5 days, I think it's important for him to be there for the girls, we talked about it."
"I could go back."
"I know Betty, Ty wants to do this, let's see if that changes."
They stopped a few feet behind JT and Ty and listened in.
"See, a real T Rex, look at that mouth."
Ty read the plaque while Jackson spoke "there's a video that shows how a T rex used to be a little bird. When they became extinct they were 43 feet long and 14 feet high."
"Mostly tail." Ty said walking along the edge of the exhibit.
"They used them for balance but also like a club, don't get behind a T Rex."
"Or in front" Ty said as they came around the other side and looked into the gaping mouth."
"Definitely not the front."
They joined up with the girls who were following the evolutionary path of modern predator birds, a new exhibit they hadn't seen before. Amy and Betty chatted behind the group discussing meals and listening in to JT's running commentary to Ty.
They passed through several sections of smaller dinosaurs which fascinated Jackson because of the closeness in evolutionary tract to those birds. In the next room they saw the progression of what became the Golden Eagle, the largest Eagle in the US.
"I held one, we had him last year, he was huge and Cassidy fixed his wing. Mom held him too."
"I think I saw some pictures of that." Ty said kneeling over to read the captioning.
"Yup, I also held 3 bald eagles and hawks and a falcon."
"I've definitely helped some bald eagles but no Goldens that's for sure."
As they passed across the hall Ty stopped at the entrance to the next huge space Jackson led them to, the Milstein Hall of Marine Life.
"Look at that." He marveled looking overhead.
"It's a model, not real."
"Whatever Jackson."
"It's a blue whale, full sized model, they eat krill and shrimp."
"I guess lots of krill and shrimp" Ty laughed taking in the 90 some odd feet of this enormous mammal hanging overhead.
"He's a mammal."
Ty smiled and put his arm around Jackson's shoulder "anything you don't know Jackson ?"
"Oh sure, I just know about the stuff I know about. They have other stuff like lions and elephants, the stuff you know about."
"Hate to disappoint you Jackson, I don't know much about either lions or elephants."
"Bet you know more than me."
Ty laughed "that's probably true from a technical standpoint I guess and I have done surgery on a cougar which is technically a mountain lion."
"There you go, I just petted one at the zoo."
"How about we take a breather and sit with some water ?" Amy said turning "Patron's lounge girls ?"
Maddie checked her phone for a second with Charlie looking and then pointing, "around that turn mom."
Ty fell back to Amy and ran his hand around her waist. "You Ok Ames ?"
"I'm fine, but he shouldn't overdue and he needs to stay hydrated and Betty can use a breather. We don't walk on marble and granite floors all day, it takes it's toll."
"Hadn't thought about it." Ty answered softly.
"Hey, stop, why would you think about it, it's your first and hopefully your last surgery Ty, you don't get the learning curve benefit."
"I know all that still …"
"Still Ty, still you're being a great dad and you've always been a good son."
There was another couple in the lounge along with a matron who smiled and welcomed them seeing their name tags which hung around their necks. When they had all sat down the matron approached and Amy asked for water for all. Betty excused herself to the private lounge bathroom as Maddie got up to give the lounge matron who name was Jill a hand with the waters.
"Katie will be here next weekend girls, late Friday, do you have plans for Saturday and Sunday ?"
"The pianos are Sunday ?"
"At 11:00 I think" Amy said checking, "yup 11, you fly out at 6:00 to the airport"
"We'll do early visits and walk up 5th to the museums, maybe try for some music Saturday night ?" Maddie said.
"So the Met ?"
"Maybe another too and then we'll grab lunch and wander back. Sabrina likes the Guggenheim" Charlie added.
"Well Friday night's at Charlie's for Shabbat dinner with the Bar—Lev's and the family. I think Renee and Meg are cooking."
"We'll check what's playing around for Saturday night." Maddie said "or we could head down to the Village."
"We can talk about the Village on a Saturday night Mad."
"We'll be fine mom."
"We'll talk about it Mad, not now."
After their rest and with a small nod from Betty to Amy they visited all the various halls of discovery JT chose, the Halls of mammals both large and small, Asian, New York State, African and North American. When they were done at least half the family had grumbling stomachs including JT.
They gathered their coats and walked out to meet Pat in the lot across from the side entrance. "We're going to walk over to Shake Shack Pat, hungry ?"
"Shake Shack huh, I have a perfectly good egg salad sandwich."
"So that's a yes, no cheese, no onions, cranberry lemonade."
"Thanks Charlie."
Charlie smiled at him and leaned on the limo with her phone. "6 cheese burgers, 3 minus onions, 1 hamburger minus cheese and onions, 7 fries. What are you drinking Papa ?"
"I have no idea but cranberry lemonade sounds my speed, I'm not a shake guy."
"1 chocolate, 2 strawberry, 1 vanilla, 1 coffee, 2 Cranberry Lemonade. Confirmed, credit card, 8 minutes."
"You'll probably beat me there."
"I'll run it out to you Pat." Maddie said "Let's go."
When they came in Charlie spotted and grabbed a lucky table that was freeing up and Maddie went with Ty to retrieve their order. Charlie had ordered 6 to stay and Pat's to go so after depositing their food on the table Maddie ran out to the street where Pat pulled over to grab his bag from her before driving to where he could pull over and grab a bite.
"So where to next ?" Ty asked.
"I think back to the house for now, I have to check on dinner and who's here already."
"Charlie, Steph and Meg are at Charlie's already. I told them to come to dinner." Betty said looking up.
"What are we eating ?" Ty asked.
"Chicken of course, right JT ?" Charlie added.
"And roasted potatoes and peas."
" and gravy."
"Mashed potatoes and gravy Mad, don't have to say it." JT added firmly.
"How does this service work, they don't cook ?"
"They do either Ty, they'll cook Tuesday because no one will want to, today they make sure we have everything on our lists which include recipes. Most days one or more of us cooks. I imagine Paella and Tapas when it's Steph's night. Meg and Renee will do Friday Shabbat at Charlie's. So tonight's Betty and I unless we have volunteers."
"We have some homework to finish Mom, so home would work for us." Charlie said.
"I have none, all done I mean."
Amy nodded and looked over at Ty "how about, we head home for a bit and Ty can walk you over to the zoo for a visit JT ?"
"That'd be awesome, can we ?"
"Sure can." Ty said smiling. "Finish your burger bud."
"I think we're good until after dinner Pat" Amy said as she left the limo and watched the kids heading up the stairs to the brownstone. I'll text if Asher and Shoshana want a ride back to their apartment."
"No problem Amy, if not we're 9:30 tomorrow ?"
"Right, 10:00 at the hospital for check-in and tests. It'll be a long 72 hours Pat."
"What do you folks say, not my first rodeo ?"
"Pretty much, glad you still put up with us."
"That's not hard at all, I'll see you in the morning Amy, Ty, have a great night."
Coming into the apartment they found the kids in the kitchen with Trish, Meg and Stephanie who were having coffee. They all immediately got up for hugs with Ty and Amy.
"Here JT", Amy said handing him her iPad, "get washed up and you can Skype with April if she can, she should be home."
"And Cars ?"
"Sure, not too long though if you want to go to the zoo."
"Ok Mom, not too long."
Betty had come in and gone off to change into house clothes, which here was a loose pair of slacks and a blouse, upscale lounge wear. She started a fresh pot of coffee and sat down.
"We need a vegan entrée. We have desserts from Magnolia, sides are easy."
"I can make something Betty, what do you have ?"
"We can make an eggplant dish or a nice veggie paella, I have vegan sausage or we can use white beans. We have that huge paella pan."
"Let's do the paella then" Trish agreed "Get the chickens in the oven and we can prep for the paella."
"I'll do it Betty, stay sitting, those museum floors are brutal."
"I'll help Amy" Stephanie said getting up and walking over to grab an apron off a hook.
"Ty, how are you holding out ?"
He watched Meg back over to fill her cup and grab a fresh one for Ty. "Coffee's up Amy." She said before returning "I'm sorry, you were saying Ty ?"
"Well, I'm not quite sure what to expect Meg but I'm not looking forward to it."
"Somehow it all seems different than those first ones, I can tell you that. I think I held my breath during those first surgeries."
"I can't even bring myself to think of those anymore Meg" Amy said, "between them taking him away and then losing Trudy in the middle of that first group of surgeries."
"You held him for what, 30 hours after that first surgery, he just wouldn't settle any other way." Betty said softly "haven't thought of that in a while."
"Ok, these are dressed, what are we doing with them Steph ?"
"He likes the crispy skin, how about olive oil, oregano and garlic outside and lemon and thyme inside ?"
"So what you always do."
"Stop, he likes it."
"He does, let's get to it" Amy said grabbing two chopping boards and passing one to Steph. "You do the garlic, I'll chop herbs."
"I'll never forget walking in and finding you bawling and holding his little toes." Steph said before smacking her fist down on the flat of a knife crushing the garlic underneath. "It took like ten minutes before you could get out that his toes were pink and it worked."
'It was like a wave of relief." Amy said with a sniffle.
"Ok, we had a deal with the crying." Jackson said walking in.
"I'm sorry JT, it's their fault." Amy said nodding to the table.
"Last surgery mom."
"I know sweetheart, do you want something before you go ?"
"Still full of burger and shake."
"I guess that's my cue" Ty said getting up and walking over to nuzzle Amy.
"Don't overdo Ty." She whispered.
"I won't, you either."
"Jackson you have your card ?" Amy asked when Ty stepped back.
"Yup."
"Have fun boys."
"Card ?" Ty asked turning to her.
"Patron's card."
"You guys don't miss a beat do you ?"
"If you want to spend a night camping in the Bronx Zoo it helps to be a patron."
"You camped in a zoo ?"
"Twice, it was awesome." JT said. "Like super awesome."
"Come on Jackson, you can tell me on the way."
It wasn't far at all to the Zoo with an entrance less than a block away from the stairs to the townhouse. During that time Jackson described the Bronx Zoo Overnight Safaris.
"It was April, Cars and I in one tent, Mom and the girls, Bobby and his dad, Meg, Brin and Erma. That was the first time and just Mom, me, April, Cars and Erma the second time. First you walk around at sunset when they feed and then you can go near the night animals"
"Nocturnal" Ty said.
"Right Nocturnal then they have burgers, hot dogs and stuff and then camping stuff and then you get into your tents and listen and it's so cool, we were near the Giraffe's first time and when I came out of the tent there was one standing right there looking down at us."
"Sounds cool."
"Really cool, we have to go to that building and get passes."
To the left there was an admissions building alongside a gift shop and information center. They seemed for the moment a bit backed up as there was only one person handling one of three windows, the other two were marked temporarily closed. The line wan't that long and JT and Ty queued up behind what looked like three families. Ty looked around and saw a sign at the third window for member passes. "Shouldn't we go there ?"
Jackson looked over "well we usually do but there's only one guy so it's really like cutting the line. We can wait."
Ty put his hand around JT and onto his shoulder. "We can wait."
Ty reached over and pulled a map off the rack on the wall.
"We don't need that unless you want it. Bear and Leopards that way, Lemurs, Red Panda then we can see the sea lions and penguins if it's not too late."
"Pretty compact place."
"Yeah, the Bronx Zoo is big and they have a sky lift and a train from one side of the zoo to the other. Last time I still had a brace and they took us around in a cart."
"That must have felt special."
"You know, I think I'd rather walk, it's all fussy, you know."
"I guess, you doing Ok Jackson ?"
"You mean the operation, yeah, I mean it's scary but mom stays with me."
"Mom stays with you ?"
"Yeah, well until they stop the drug machine."
"I'm not sure I knew that."
"It's Ok right ?"
"Of course it's Ok Jackson, I just didn't realize she doesn't leave his side actually, well meant that, I guess. I mean I was told that, by more than one person actually and I think your mom, it's fine."
JT was quiet for a second and Ty felt him physically swallow before his soft voice "It's … uhm,…. pretty scary when you wake up at night all fuzzy and it's real hard to move and the lights are always on but low and weird beeping but mom's always there so …"
Ty squeezed his shoulder, "I get it Jackson, you don't have to feel embarrassed or sorry."
"One adult One child ?" The young man asked as JT shoved the card he'd retrieved from his small wallet under the little scoop window.
Looking at the card the young man smiled "Oh you didn't have to wait, you could have just stood to the side."
"Didn't feel right cutting the line" JT said.
"Well, truth is when it's just one window you get stares, human nature I guess."
"Here you go, daily pass, thanks for your patience, enjoy your stay."
Jackson took Ty's hand and led him along what Ty guessed were familiar paths, the zoo wasn't what Ty would have called busy but you did need to pay attention.
"So, how many different kinds of bears have you seen dad ?"
Ty was quiet for a second and looked down before answering "well more black than any, a few grizzly's a couple Gobi bears, one dead unfortunately, killed by a poacher, we saved the cub though."
"Oh yeah, Maddie showed me that in an article. Take care of any grizzly's ?"
"Nope, bunch of black bears though, for different things."
"Well they have two grizzlies here, Betty and Veronica, usually you can see them on the hill, they're rescues so they have to live here, it's a little sad for them I guess."
"There are a lot of people who think these places should be closed, I don't know."
"Well what do you think ?"
Ty was quiet and looked over the Grizzly enclosure. He thought about the two bears on the Adirondack property, they didn't seem to bother anybody, had lived in the same place for years probably from close to birth and roamed 10,000 acres. Ty assumed they overlapped with other bears somewhere along the way.
"I think that for a bear this isn't a lot of room but I don't know anything about these two so I can't say. What's up next Jackson ?"
"Snow Leopards, ever see one ?"
"Calgary Zoo, one of theirs has three legs."
The twins joined the group in the kitchen when they were done with their work. They volunteered to get the potatoes ready for roasting and sat before big bowls with peelers. They gossiped about the ranch and discussed plans around the surgery. John, Bert and Trev would come in Tuesday for the day. Jack and Lisa, Casey and Lily would come Monday. Pat would pick them up and they'd stop at the house before coming to sit with the family and give comfort.
The girls wanted to take care of some Christmas shopping before Sabrina, Bobby and Katie were around and wanted to visit Orvis for other gifts. Brin gave Maddie the model number of a roll up piano the group would give April and a store nearby that sold it as well as nice recorders for all three as the boys were starting on guitar. Recorders were excellent teaching tools and Brin insisted they learn to play.
Ty would ask later in the week if they couldn't just order that stuff online and needed the whole shopping in Manhattan Christmas experience speech which eluded both him and Jackson though JT definitely saw the need in a trip to Orvis.
Heading East on a path to the Sea Lion pool Jackson pointed up at a building "that's Uncle Charlie's apartment."
Ty led Jackson off to the side and looked up "that building ?"
"Yeah but you see that ledge up there with the trees ?"
"Yup."
"That's it, it's like a porch, ugh no, patio, that's it."
"Oh, that's actually Charlie's apartment, mom said it's huge."
"He's got a game room with pinball machines and pool tables and a bowling machine with this slide thing that's fun. Oh and a juke box."
"Your Uncle Charlie likes his toys."
"Pretty cool huh ?"
"Pretty cool" Ty agreed starting to walk again.
"Potatoes are in, who's doing the paella, the Spaniard or the vegan ?" Amy asked looking at Steph and Trish.
"We'll both do it, I don't mind and don't cook near as often as I'd like." Steph said getting up followed a second later by Trish who stepped over to the fridge to rummage out what they needed.
The conversation at the table had moved past wedding decisions and onto wedding seating which was an affair all it's own and discussed over a second plate of Rugelach, these were chocolate.
The last thing they could have seen was the Children's Zoo but Jackson declined.
"We basically live in a children's zoo and if I really need to pet a goat I just ride over to April's house."
Ty laughed, "good point, hadn't thought of that actually. Should we head back ?"
As they crossed 5th Avenue Jackson suggested they stop and visit Charlie.
"Come on, I know the way."
"We should text or call Jackson."
"No, come on we're neighbors and it's Uncle Charlie, he never calls when he comes to us." He said it walking right past the doorman who stepped over.
"Can I help you young man ?" He asked as Jackson walked past and said "no thanks" and the doorman turned and looked at Ty.
"Jackson !" Ty called, not loudly but with some effort.
"What ?" He asked coming back.
"Thank you sir, now, may I help you ?"
"No thanks." Jackson said.
"Jackson hush, we're here to visit Charlie Rogers."
"He's my uncle, this is my dad."
"Yes, well, is he expecting you, he left no word."
"It's a surprise" Jackson said.
"Let me call up." The doorman said walking over to his small desk.
"Is he going to yell surprise ?" Jackson muttered.
"He's just doing his job Jackson."
"You may go up sir and you young man, I won't forget you so next time all you'll have to do is stop and let me know you're going up to surprise your Uncle Charlie."
"Ok, sorry, you know, my dad says you were just doing your job."
"Well thanks for that consideration, for the record he sounded surprised and happy to hear you were visiting."
"Jackson."
"Excuse me ?"
"Jackson, my name" he said putting out his hand.
"Richard" the doorman said reaching out.
"We can go ?"
"You may go Jackson." He said with a smile.
"Thank you sir" the doorman said reaching out his hand as did Ty "Dr Borden."
"Yes sir, have a good day."
Ty walked over where Jackson was waiting by the elevator
"That was weird huh ?" He said looking over at Ty when the door opened. A second later he jumped up to hit the button marked 'PH1'.
"It's his job to make sure that only people who are supposed to be inside the building come in Jackson."
"He should have said that."
"Most people understand without being told and now you do too." He said ruffling JT's hair as the elevator rose.
