Steady swimmer Chapter 6

YEAR 2; Holidays plus.

Seniors: Jamie, Nick, Wendy. Junior: Eddie.

Christmas

Our fabulous foursome is trolling the malls looking for ideas for Christmas presents.

They pass a jewelry store. There is a display that catches the girl's eyes. It is an eye-catching display of items that couples can give each other to commemorate the relationship. The highlights are promise rings and promise bracelets. They stop to look and discuss. Soon the guys notice that they are walking alone and stop.

"Do you see what I see?" Nick asks.

"Yeah," Jamie replies. "The girls looking at baubles."

Nick chuckles. They walk back to see what's so fascinating.

"What's up, girls?" Jamie inquires.

"Do you see this? We can give each other a Christmas present & have something to show our commitment to each other!" Wendy is excited.

Nick looks at Jamie, hiding a frown. Jamie can tell, so can Eddie. 'Trouble in Paradise?' Eddie wonders.

Jamie speaks up, "I've already got Eddie's present. I was thinking of something like this a little later in our friendship. Maybe we should keep walking. I'm looking for the Cinnabon place, actually!"

Nick breathes a sigh of relief, trying to hide it from Wendy.

Eddie talks up Cinnabon, Wendy sighs and walks on; wondering where she and Nick stand.

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JAMIE'S ROOM

Later Nick calls Jamie and thanks him. "I really like Wendy, but that was a little much. Thanks bro!"

"Back at ya, bro! Is there a problem, you and Wendy?"

"Ah . . . it's just that we are not quite on the same page. Same book, same chapter . . . we just need to talk more."

"I got ya, 'bye."

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Eddie asks her beau, "was that Nick?"

"Yeah."

" Do you really have my present?"

"I've picked it out."

"Doesn't Nick really like Wendy?"

"He does, but it's a little early for him. I'm ready for that promise bracelet, if you are?"

"I'm in!"

"Then let's go back tomorrow." Jamie says.

"Ok, I may need to explain our presents to Wendy, if she notices? I think that I can do that."

"You sure?"

"Yup," Eddie assures him."

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CHRISTMAS EVE

Jamie and Eddie give each other their Christmas presents early on the 24th. They had agreed to give each other a new complimentary outfit. They got:

Eddie – a navy blue long-sleeved silk blouse, black slacks, a light grey sweater vest.

Jamie – a burgundy long-sleeved shirt, charcoal grey slacks, a light grey sweater vest.

They attended Midnight Mass with the Reagan family at St. Angelus church, followed by light refreshments at the Reagan family home.

Mary welcomed Eddie with open arms. "Welcome my dear, I am so glad you could join us. You and Jameson looked so nice tonight! Will you be with your folks tomorrow?"

"Ah . . . no. They are in Hawaii. I didn't want to leave town." (Leave Jamie)

"Oh dear. Why don't you come here for dinner. There's always plenty of food."

"Oh, I couldn't intrude."

"No, I insist. You're Jameson's girlfriend now; that's family to us, right Francis?"

"Absolutely," he agreed promptly. Mary is driving this car, obviously.

A few side eyes were ignored.

Jamie didn't even have to engineer this!

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CHRISTMAS DAY

At Jamie's insistence, Eddie came for breakfast and stayed the day. They stayed out of the way; either cuddling off to the side downstairs or up in Jamie's room. Door open, of course.

In addition to the aforementioned coordinated outfits, Jamie & Eddie gave each other friendship bracelets. They were simple platinum bracelets with the name of each other engraved on the name plate. No gemstones, just the name of their boyfriend or girlfriend. They were solidifying things. It felt good. Everybody was clear – Jamie and Eddie were TAKEN!

Dinner was at 2 PM.

Later in the afternoon Eddie had bought them tickets for 2 hours on a roller rink in the Bronx. Jamie drove them in his Mustang. They were loving his new (to him) car. Mary always implored that he drive safely. None of her kids were ever too old for that.

They stopped at a small diner for a quick supper afterwards.

Jamie wished that Eddie could stay overnight, but the house was full; and they weren't sleeping together, yet.

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VALENTINE'S DAY

Jamie took Eddie out for a dinner cruise around Manhattan. This was their first time for a 'fancy' date. The food was delicious, the views fantastic, the company beyond compare.

As the band was starting their 2nd set, Jamie arose and walked around to Eddie. "May I have this dance, Miss Janko?"

"Certainly, Mr. Reagan." They both grinned.

He held her tightly around her waist.

She clasped her hands behind his neck.

After 3 songs, "Jamie?"

"Um?"

"Thank you for this evening. No one has ever treated me so . . . I mean . . . gosh, I don't know what to say-

"You don't have to say anything, sweetheart. Just hold me tight and don't let go!"

"That's easy, I can and will do that. Jamie, I . . . I mean-

"Eddie, I love you!" He holds her tighter.

"Jamie . . . thanks for saying that! I love you too!"

They tighten their embraces and seal their declarations with a kiss, or two.

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EARLY MARCH

Jamie and Eddie are together in English II class, 7th period. She is paying attention; he keeps nodding off. He only took this elective because she was in it. She keeps softly elbowing him, it only works briefly each time.

An office secretary steps in and approaches the teacher's desk. She whispers to the teacher, who then beckons to Eddie to come forward.

Jamie comes with her; "You have an urgent call in the office," the teacher tells Eddie. "Jamie, you may go with Eddie." She knows how good friends they are.

They rush to the office, the secretary hands Eddie the phone. Jamie listens to his side of the conversation-

"Yes, oh my god . . . what . . . when . . . where?"

Eddie hangs up and turns to Jamie, "my mother had a bad fall, she is at St. Victor's ER. Can you drive me, please?"

"Of course, let's go!" He grabs her hand and they run to his Mustang. They get in, and Jamie speeds off. Eddie holds his hand all the way. At the ER they park and rush inside. They find the reception desk.

Eddie asks for Sophia Janko. Armin sees and hears them; he steps up and hugs his daughter and nods to Jamie. He guides Eddie back to sit next to him.

"Edit, your mother has had a terrible fall. She was showing an apartment when she missed a step; I think she broke a hip, maybe worse. She went up to surgery an hour ago. The doctors have not come out to tell me anything yet. Thank you for coming."

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TBC