Inspired by the season premiere a few days ago, I got the urge to write again and I found this half-written story in my Google docs. I still have a bit more to write before it's done, but I figured posting the first few chapters would motivate me to finally finish it. (We're talking 2016 when I first thought of the idea…yikes!)
"Actually, there is one Reagan who can drive…the patient one - Jamie. He went back and forth from Harvard all the time without incident." - Frank Reagan, Warriors
But what if that wasn't so? What if there was one incident among the countless trips to and from school where something did happen?
Second year law student Jameson Reagan stuffed his large duffle bag with the few remaining articles of clothing and personal items he would need over winter break, all the while desperately wishing this day would come to an end already. He had one more test to take and then he would be done with the fall semester. Only then would he be free to relax and enjoy himself...at least for a short time.
The Harvard law student was looking forward to the time off, which he would spend back home in Bay Ridge, New York celebrating the holidays with family and friends, relaxing before he had to return to Cambridge for another tough semester. Jamie had been on the go all year with classes, his part-time job and a coveted summer clerkship back home. It had been too long since he enjoyed anything more than a partial weekend to have a little fun. His brain was fried.
He needed to get through one more afternoon - just six more hours - before he could finally breathe easy. Unfortunately, he also had a long drive home to make tonight, but he was looking forward to getting it over with sooner rather than later. Bay Ridge, New York beckoned him.
Jamie looked around the small bedroom of the apartment he shared with his roommate, Spencer Croft, scanning the area for anything else he might need for the trip home. He had just spotted his iPod atop the dresser when his cell phone buzzed in his pocket. With a quick glance at the screen, Jamie accepted the call while snatching the listening device.
"Hey, dad," he greeted. Jamie tucked the iPod into his bag before pushing it to the end of the bed next to his laptop. He dropped onto the mattress with a short bounce and released a long, tired sigh.
Six more hours and then you can head home, he reminded himself.
"Hey, son. I wanted to check in and see what your plans were for the trip home," Frank Reagan asked from his 14th floor office in downtown Manhattan. Always a masterful multitasker, Frank shuffled through the documents on his large mahogany desk and continued on with his work while reaching out to his youngest son. This job came with drawbacks, one of which was dealing with the endless paperwork that crossed his desk everyday. He thought it couldn't get any worse when he was Chief of Department, but he was never more wrong. Not even the PC was spared from the chore of doing tedious paperwork and now he knew where everything he shuffled across his desk as Chief ended up: right on the PC's desk.
He always had great respect for those who held the position of NYPD Police Commissioner; his father, having once sat at this very same desk, had personally taught him about the immense responsibilities that came with this job. Frank was determined to use his new power as the city's top cop to clean up the department and turn it back into the elite law enforcement agency he knew it to be before years of abuse by his predecessor filled it with corruption.
The job kept him busy and required long hours away from those that mattered most - his family. That was why it was important to carve out a little bit of time, whenever he could, to touch base, even if it was only a brief phone call this time.
Jamie cleared his throat as he relaxed on the bed. He closed his weary eyes, taking an opportunity to rest for a few minutes while he spoke to his father, even though he still needed to get some more studying in before the final. "That's what I'm getting ready for actually. I'm almost done packing so I can cram a little before my last exam," he rasped.
Frank frowned at the gravelly quality to Jamie's voice. "Are you sick?"
"Fighting off a cold, it's nothing," he downplayed, although he was unable to hold back a cough.
"Sounds like it's already got you. You can really use the break then. I'll ask your grandfather to throw together some of his special chicken soup," Frank offered, knowing that his pop's secret recipe was a magical cure for even the nastiest bug.
"You don't have to do that," Jamie insisted even though the thought of the hot, savory broth made his mouth water. He'd been living on cheap take-out and snack foods over the last few stressful weeks. The soup would also do wonders for his scratchy throat.
"Nonsense! You know he'll start a batch as soon as he takes one look at you anyway. So what exam do you have today?" Frank asked out of curiosity. He was tremendously proud of his youngest child who was taking on a full load of classes and managing to remain at the top of his class even with a part-time job. Law school, like any great endeavor, came with a price and Frank picked up on the fatigue in his son's voice. He worried that Jamie was pushing himself too hard without family nearby to make sure he was taking proper care of himself. But Frank understood that it was Harvard Law School - nothing short of hard work and Jamie's best efforts would ensure his success there.
He sighed inwardly as he thought of his late wife, Mary. He wished she was still here to see her baby boy working hard toward his goals, the same ones that she nurtured and encouraged from a young age, all to keep at least one of their three sons out of the family business. The least he could do was see to it that her wishes were honored.
"Tax Law Policy and Procedure," Jamie advised, smirking as he pictured his father's expressive face. Frank Reagan prided himself on being able to dig up an obscure quote and offer words of wisdom and encouragement specific to any situation, but Jamie knew tax law would even stump his father.
"Oh." Frank pursed his lips as he wracked his brain, but quickly conceded. "Well, I got nothing to offer you there, son, other than good luck," he smiled.
"Thanks," Jamie chuckled before his grin turned into a massive yawn.
"So when are you making the drive back home?" Frank asked as he scanned another report.
"Tonight, after my exam. I'm giving Spencer and Sydney a lift to Logan Airport and I figured I'd just go from there," Jamie replied.
"Have you checked the weather? I heard snow is expected overnight."
"Yup, I heard that too, but I should be home before it rolls in."
"And when is that?"
"About eleven."
Frank's brow furrowed in concern. "Are you sure it wouldn't be better to make the drive in the morning, Jamie? You'll be more rested and won't be coming off a long exam," he reasoned. Frank worried that fatigue and the beginning of a cold could complicate Jamie's long drive home more than a little snow in the morning.
"Nah, I'd rather get it over with and get home tonight. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning, maybe even waking up to the smell of Pop's pancakes." That thought got Jamie's stomach rumbling.
"Don't worry, dad, I've made the drive a hundred times. I can do it in my sleep," he assured him.
"That's what I'm afraid of, so let's not. Agreed?"
"Yes, sir."
"Just promise me that if you're too tired or really under the weather, you'll plan accordingly," Frank requested. "We're eager to see you too, but there's no reason to rush home with everything you already have going on today."
"Yeah, dad, I promise," Jamie agreed. He was tired but today would be a shorter day than the all-nighters he'd been pulling lately and he really did want to get home to see the family.
"Okay then. Call us when you hit the road," Frank instructed, happy that he would soon have all of his children back in the city with him, even if it would only be for a month.
"I will. See you later, dad."
"See you tonight, son."
After I wrote this, I remembered the graduation photo of Frank, Mary and Jamie that we've seen many times and I realized that I had no clue as to whether that was a high school or an undergrad graduation pic…do we even know where he went for undergrad or do we assume that's Harvard too? I also don't think I'm certain about the timeline of events with Mary's passing and Frank becoming PC. So many questions I need answered!
Also, until recently, I was also unsure as to exactly when Joe passed away, but I saw a repeat where Jamie confirmed it was during his last year of law school. So that works out well for this story as Joe will play a big part. I thought I would take another crack at writing his character (at least how I think he would have been).