Boxer or Blonde
Chapter 7 Final Affairs
Jamie enters the small waiting room and sits down across from his father.
Silence.
Both men looking down at the floor. Finally, Frank speaks.
"Jamie, I'm so sorry. I know you really loved her, and she really loved you. You haven't looked so happy since . . . I don't know when. Had you made a commitment to her?"
"I have the ring."
"But . . . you hadn't had time to give it to her?"
"This weekend."
"Oh."
Silence.
"We were going to go to the Catskills. A favorite place . . . she told me about from her childhood. Not now."
"If there is anything, -
"I know dad. Ah., one thing you need to know, I have a burner phone that I'll be using for a while."
"Who will have the number?"
"My partner, Renzulli, you if you can keep it to yourself. Completely to yourself."
"No other family?"
"I'm going to bury my family soon."
Silence. Frank looks hurt; as would be expected. He doesn't remember a tougher conversation in a very long time.
"Sorry, dad. That's how it will be for a while. I have a lot to process. I hope you can respect that."
"I can, son. Please keep in touch with me?"
"I will, I promise."
"Ok. Know that we love you."
Jamie nods but says nothing. When he steps out of the room, he sees his partner waiting. He steps over to her; she stands and offers him her hand. He takes it and they step out of the ER to find their RMP. They see it and move over to it and Eddie takes the driver's seat.
"The 12th?" She suggests.
He nods.
She starts the car and drives off.
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It is now 2:00. After changing out of their uniforms, the partners meet on the precinct steps.
"I could use a cup of coffee and a piece of pie, partner. You?" Eddie suggests.
Jamie looks at the street-lights. "Yeah, I don't really want to be alone right now. Thanks for the suggestion."
They walk 2 blocks to a 24-hour diner.
Silence is golden.
They take seats, only 1 other patron. After ordering Eddie asks, "what can I do for you, Jamie?"
He opens up to his partner and friend.
"We were going to go up to the Catskills this weekend. A place she loved as a kid; she told me all about it. I had her ring." A tear starts to fall.
Eddie says nothing, but she reaches for his hand. He allows her to intertwine their fingers.
"I was going to propose; I thought we were ready. I guess fate had other plans."
"Damn," Eddie whispers. "Lizzie is really going to miss her. So, will I. I will always remember the night she stopped me from making the biggest mistake of my life."
"What did she say to you?"
"Girl talk."
"Shit – that's what she said. is no one going to tell me?"
"Nope!" She pops the P. "All you need to know is that it worked."
"Obviously, you are still here."
"And kicking ass!"
Their food comes, they eat in silence.
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RENZULLI'S OFFICE
"Reagan, what can I do for you?"
"How much time can I have? For . . . you know."
"1 month bereavement, for you."
"1 month? That's a lot!"
"1 month, for you."
Jamie looks at his Sargent a long time. "Hook?"
"1 month, for you."
Silence . . . staring.
"Anything else, Reagan?"
"Ah, no sir. Thank you."
"You are welcome."
Jamie turns and walks out.
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DARBY FUNERAL HOME
"Jameson Reagan, come in." A kindly older woman calls his name. "What can we do for you today?"
"My girlfriend passed away 2 days ago. Her body is in the morgue ay St. Victor's. I'd like to make arrangements for . . . I guess cremation."
"Do you have authority to arrange this? Sorry, but I have to ask."
"No, I understand. Here is the paperwork." He hands the papers to her.
"It looks like everything is in order. Do you have any special requests? We need to decide on the specific urn you want; or where you are going to spread the ashes. Have you thought of those things, yet?"
"Yes, I have. I need just a wooden container; I am taking her ashes to a special place and burying it. But I have one special request."
"What's that?"
"I have her engagement ring. I was going to propose this weekend. Can the ring be placed on her finger and go through the fire with her. So, I can bury the ring with her?"
"Um . . . that is unusual, but not unheard of."
"Will the ring come through intact?"
"Yes, it will be distorted however."
"Still be recognizable as a ring?"
"What metal is it?"
"Titanium."
"Excellent, the ring will be virtually intact Titanium's melting point is about 1,000 degrees above the process."
"So, it is doable?"
"Yes, if you sign the paperwork today, we should have the procedure completed in 10 days or so. We will call you when you can pick things up."
"It should be ready by weekend after next?"
"Most assuredly."
"Thank you, let's see the paperwork."
Jamie kisses the ring and then hands it over.
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Eddie is taking 3 weeks of personal time, to match Jamie's time off. She and Lizzie are spending some time with him, and Eddie is doing what she can to help him sort things out.
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Jamie is sitting in Warren Davidson's office. Olive Hain's Last Will & Testament is about to be read. Rich Olsen, her former manager is also present.
Mr. Davidson clears his throat. "Has everyone present signed the registry?"
Jamie and Rich both indicate that they have.
"Ok, here goes. Olive Hain updated and signed her documents 6-months ago; here, in my presence. The disposition of her estate is now extremely uncomplicated. She leaves everything, in total, to Jameson Henry Reagan. To do with as he pleases."
Jamie was expecting to get the lion's share; but everything? He was not expecting that.
Rich lets out a snort; he sounds angry.
"Mr. Davidson," Jamie asks. "What are the monetary assets in the estate?"
"Just over $10,500,000.00," why do you ask.
"I thought it was in that range. I have been her manager for almost 1 year."
Rich gets up to leave.
"Rich wait, please," Jamie requests.
Rich sits back down.
"May I make 2 changes to the monetary disbursements?"
"Certainly," Mr. Davidson agrees.
"I would like Rich Olsen, Olive's former manager to receive $1,000,000.00."
"And Elizabeth Ann Janko, daughter of Edit Marie Janko, to receive $1,000,000.00; to be held in trust by her mother for educational, and other approved expenses when Elizabeth becomes 13 years old. Expenses must be approved by Edit and myself."
Rich bows his head, his eyes growing misty. He doesn't know what to say. He hoped to receive something; but this way! He gets up, motions to Jamie to rise. When he does, Rich gives him a massive bear hug. Then turns to the door; looking back to the attorney, "I assume you will contact me?"
"We will."
Rich leaves.
"How should we contact Miss Elizabeth Janko," the attorney asks Jamie.
"Send a letter to her mother."
"We will."
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5 DAYS LATER, EDDIE'S APARTMENT
The ladies have invited Jamie for dinner. Lizzie voted for pizza; Eddie was happy to oblige. She didn't trust her cooking.
KNOCK, KNOCK
"I'll get it! It must be Officer Jamee!" Lizzie runs to the door.
"No running in the house girl!" Eddie scolds.
"Sorry," Lizzie pouts.
"Well, open the door!"
The girl does, the re stands Officer Jamee holding a pizza, wearing a grin.
"Jamee is here and he's got our dinner!"
"May I come in?" He asks.
"Yes, my mommy is doing her hair."
Jamie chuckles, Eddie groans in the bedroom.
"Set the pizza there on the table." Lizzie instructs.
"Yes ma'am," Jamee obeys.
"See, I set the table." Lizzie beams proudly.
"I see. But that place has no fork."
"Oh, I'll fix it." She does.
"Well, now that place has 2 spoons."
"Oops, let's see now. Here we go. How's that?"
"Well, does everybody need a knife?"
"I don't think so."
Eddie comes out, holding her hands over her face to stifle laughter.
"Mommy! Jamee and I are setting the table!"
"So, I see, and heard." She gives Jamie a hug, whispering in his ear "I still can't get her to say Jamie!"
"No worries. Thank you for the dinner invite. I have an invitation of my own. For later," he nods towards Lizzie. "After bedtime, maybe."
Eddie frowns, puzzled.
"No worries, partner."
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AFTER LIZZIE'S BEDTIME
"Jamie, I received a letter today. A certified letter."
"Oh, do tell?"
"Would you know anything about that?"
He shrugs his shoulders, playing dumb.
"From an attorney, a Mr. Davidson."
Jamie can't hide the smile. "Mr. Davidson, huh. Imagine that."
"Jamie, that was, er is, so generous! I can't believe it. Please explain."
"Well, I was expecting the lion's share of Olive's estate. But she left me everything, Eddie! Everything!"
"Are you surprised? I'm not."
"Really?"
"Sure. Do you know what you gave her?"
"What?"
"When you and Olive found each other, you gave each other TRUE LOVE! The greatest gift of all! Had she ever had anything like that? Ever, in her life?"
"No, not that she shared with me."
"So, I'm not surprised at all. I would have been surprised if she had given you less. Jamie, I could see the love in everything you did for her, every word you said to her. A girl dies for that gift!" She's getting nervous.
"I guess you're right. So, about the trust fund; can we work together on that?"
"As long as we stay on speaking terms." Eddie smirks.
"You worried about that?" He smirks right back.
"Nope, as long as you stay a gentleman." She grins.
"I'll try . . . real hard."
"I'll send Lizzie after you!"
"Threat?"
"Promise!"
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TBC
