Steady swimmer chapter 8

HOME THERAPY & GRADUATION

A/N: I had mentioned a rehab stay for Mrs. Janko. While this is a usual routine post hip surgery; in this story I am assuming 1) that she made extraordinary progress while in the hospital, 2) she has very good at-home support with a cook/housekeeper, Eddie & Jamie, and 3) home therapy will be ramped up. Eddie has arranged to home-school for 2 weeks with Jamie's support.

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AT HOME THERAPY

Jamie remained stalwart in his support of Eddie and Sophia, her mother. And his family supported him all the way.

Eddie has begun attending Reagan Sunday dinners on a fairly regular basis. Each week Mary and Henry are sure to prepare an extra-large dinner, and Eddie takes home a good portion of left-overs. Even though the Janko's have a housekeeper who also cooks, Eddie and her mom quickly came to like what the Reagan's put on the table. Armin regularly chafed at this; the ladies ignored him. But he became more and more vocal about this; after all he was supposed to be the one his family depended on. However, it seemed that he just didn't understand emotional support.

Home PT was trying at times. The combination of Eddie's zesty personality (buoyed by Jamie at times) and Jamie's dogged persistence helped Sophia through her low spots. And there were low spots.

Mrs. Janko was NEVER a person to exercise. And PT was all about exercise! So, she needed all the encouragement she could get. The kids would regularly point out the slightest bit of improvement, encouraging her to push for more. She gradually responded to their efforts. It was a hard slog! But rewarding!

Physical Therapists would visit twice a week. In between, Eddie and Jamie would oversee her exercising; encouraging her and showing her the appropriate technique when Sophia would get 'lazy'. The duo of the 'kids' was essential in continued, steady progress.

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Fortuitously, one of the ladies in the office where Sophia worked moved out-of-state. Instead of immediately hiring a replacement, the boss allowed Mrs. Janko to take over those duties and work from home; after 3-weeks of home therapy had shown definite progress. This was helpful as far as cash flow (not really needed) was concerned; but it helped motivate her. She could see what a less mobile worker might do all day. She didn't like it. She got her ass in gear.

Within 6 more weeks she was walking with a cane and gradually resuming her regular duties as a real estate agent. She was happy and Eddie was happy. Jamie was happy too!

The upshot was that Eddie's mother had a new appreciation and respect for her daughter's boyfriend. You couldn't say she was all team Jamie. But she now welcomed his visits and was supportive of her daughter's choice.

One day when home therapy was concluded, Sophia asked Eddie to allow her and Jamie some alone time to talk. Eddie looked at Jamie . . . he nodded, saying it would be ok. Eddie slipped to the kitchen to make some tea.

Mrs. Janko asked Jamie to take a seat, he did.

"Jameson, I am so grateful for your help. I know that I was not very welcoming when all this started."

"That's ok, ma'am."

"No, I wasn't fair. I can now see how you feel about my daughter. And she feels the same about you."

"I love Edit very much, and she has expressed the same."

"I can see that. I'm sorry, I will do right by you from here on out. Can you forgive me, please?"

"Of course, already forgiven."

Jamie and Sophia embrace, Eddie comes in with tea. She puts the tray down and joins the hug.

"Edit, I'm so glad you found Jameson. You two have my blessing."

"Thank you, mom, that means a lot to me, to us!"

"One more thing, Jameson. Can you help me meet your mother? Edit talks fondly of her frequently. She sounds like a wonderful mother; I would like to meet her."

"I would be happy to do that. Maybe a lunch, or coffee with my mother, Eddie and me? Would that be ok with you?"

"That would be good, thank you."

"I'll see if we can set that up."

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PRE-GRADUATION

Jamie, Nicholas and Wendy are set to graduate.

Eddie will become a senior after commencement.

JAMIE'S ROOM

The foursome is meeting in their usual hideout. Well, they really weren't hiding out; everyone knew where they were, and the door was always open per the Mary Reagan rule. But it was comfy and safe. AND Mrs. Reagan usually kept them supplied with soda and chips. Maybe chocolate cake too!

"Can you believe it; high school is almost over!" Wendy proclaims.

Eddie grimaces.

Jamie kisses her on the cheek. "Just 1-year, babe." He commiserates. "I'll be at all your swim meets to cheer you on. And I'll be watching Kaylee, your protegee."

"Oh, I'll be expecting more of you than swim meets, buster." She puts her hand on his arm and pulls him down for a kiss on the lips.

Nick looks at Wendy; "Do we dare do that?" he smirks.

She nods vigorously, pulls him over and plants one on his lips just as Joe sticks his head in the door. "Tsk, tsk. Don't let my mother see that!" He chuckles, then disappears.

Nick jumps back, "Shit, I knew it! Only those two can get away with that stuff here. Watch it, babe!"

Jamie and Eddie are cracking up. Wendy is blushing.

"Don't worry, he's just doing the walk by for mom. You'd have to be really into it before he reported anything. Now Danny or Erin, they are another story. We really watch ourselves when those two are around."

"Good to know," Wendy giggles. She attacks Nick with a tickle barrage; he squirms away.

Joe walks by again, headed downstairs. "Easy boys and girls," he chuckles.

The foursome groan and reach for the popcorn bowl. Duds are scattered all over the carpet.

"Who's on cleanup?" Jamie asks.

Nobody raises a hand.

"I thought so." Jamie groans.

"No worries, I'll help, sweetie." Eddie mutters.

"See, we're off the hook," Nick whispers to Wendy.

She winks at him, "I knew it."

The party breaks up; the clean-up crew remains.

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GRADUATION ITSELF

Jamie has maintained his top of the class standing. He is agonizing over the valedictorian speech; so, he has a typed draft that he hands to his three critics along with a RED pen. They mark it up and pass it along.

When it comes back to him, he looks at it and groans. "Good Lord! I can't even read it now! It looks like the Red Sea! Don't any of you want to mark it up more?"

They all pounce on him; sheets of paper go flying as they all start tickling and punching.

"STOP!" He can barely get it out between laughs and hiccoughs. "Mom. Help!"

Mary trudges upstairs and looks in. "What are you kids doing to my baby?" She grins.

"OH, BABY JAMIE!" They all shout. The tickling barrage intensifies.

"Mom, that's no help! JOE! Help me!"

Joe scampers upstairs . . . and joins the ticklers!

"ENOUGH!" Mary shouts in her most stern mother voice.

The barrage subsides; everyone lays back on the floor, exhausted and giggling.

"Where's my speech?"

Eddie finds his rumpled papers, flattens them out and gives them to her boyfriend.

"Thanks, babe," he gives her a quick kiss on the cheek.

CEREMONY

Jamie's speech is flawless; nothing less is expected from a champion debater.

Nick, Wendy & Jamie receive their diplomas; Jamie gets his official valedictorian recognition. Eddie is welcomed to the senior class.

Scholarships are announced and gratefully received.

CELEBRATION

Jamie & Eddie invite a small group of friends to an after-grad party at the Reagan's. 4 friends come, in addition to Nick and Wendy. The 8 young people have a great, sober time. Mary and Henry do themselves proud with the refreshments.

Afterwards, Jamie drives Eddie home. They, of course, stop in the Bridge Park for an extended make out session. That is becoming something of a habit.

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Next up: Senior days and University days.

TBC