Jamie's Encore
Chapter 17
A Tale of Two Cities
San Diego
Caitlin walks out onto the stage of the Rady Shell; it is Wednesday, her usual day to practice outdoors. Her usual 4 college students are there to listen to her plus quite a few more. Rafael has threatened to charge admission – Caitlin has threatened him with bodily harm if he does.
He won't!
Caitlin walks to the front of the stage. "Amanda, please, the four of you, come down to me. I have a question for you all."
Cathy, Julie, Amanda and Katy come to the front.
"Where do you go to school?" She asks them.
"SDSU, all of us," Katy responds.
"And what year are you at SDSU?"
"We will be sophomores this coming year," Julie tells her.
"That is great-
Suddenly the girls squeal. "Your finger!"
"Yes, Jamie and I got engaged last weekend." She holds out her hand, showing off her ring.
"Jamie and I would like you to do us a favor, if you will. His niece, Nicky, is coming out from NYC to attend SDSU. She also will be a sophomore. Would you be willing to join us for dinner, at our condo, and meet Nicky. We are hoping we can introduce her to some possible friends."
They look at each other, and nod.
"Yeah, we'll do that. When are we talking about?" Mandy speaks for the group.
"Here is my card; call and talk with Olivia. She is my personal assistant; she will set things up. And thanks! Now, does anyone have a request for today?"
"Do you do rock and roll?" Cathy asks, sheepishly. "That may not be your thing, I had to ask," she ducks her head.
Caitlin thinks, then grins, "Fasten your seat belts, ladies! Before we start, there can be NO recordings of this – absolutely NONE! Is that clear?" Shre looks around and points at everyone, they all nod their assent. 'I should puy a sign up' she thinks.
She makes a phone call, and in 10 minutes a drum set and drummer (Kent) appear on stage. After he gets mic'd up and set, and she gets mic'd up also, the 'audience' goes silent.
Then, Rafael Perez appears on stage, "I need a dance partner. Any volunteer?" He also whispers into a lapel mic.
Mandy dashes up onto the stage and stands facing him. They greet each other, and get ready.
Caitlin plays a grand chord; Kent shouts "WIPE OUT!", then he and Caitlin launch into "Wipe Out" by the Safari's (or Ventures, you pick)! Rafael & Mandy knock 'em dead on stage; the aisles are full of other kids dancing up a storm!
After things settle down, Caitlin starts the practice she had intended. 'What have I done?' she thinks.
3 days later, Rafael walks into Caitlin's office and tosses a flash drive onto her desk. "Not for distribution," he says with a wink. Then walks out.
It's a recording of the rendition of Wipe Out that she and Kent had done the other day! She puts it in her purse and takes it home.
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STATEN ISLAND – NYC
EARLY AUGUST
Dinner at the Reagan's.
"Dad," Jack starts. "I would like to go to San Diego and attend Coronado High School for half of my senior year. Would you and mom support me in that?"
"Your uncle Jamie talking you into that, huh?" Danny huffs. He puts down his fork and stares.
"No, it's all my idea. We talked a little about it a while ago. Remember?"
"I remember. I don't want this family further split – period!"
Linda doesn't know what to say. She looks at her husband, a tear trickles down her cheek.
"I don't want to lose you, bro." Sean is downcast.
"You wouldn't lose me. I will be back in January to finish here and graduate."
"Then to San Diego State?" Danny snorts.
"Can we support him?" Linda asks.
"No, I can't support that. He will be on his own!" Danny declares.
Jack excuses himself, leaves the table and goes to his room.
Linds sniffles, rises to gather the dishes.
Danny throws his napkin on the table and goes to the den.
Sean sits at the table, dazed.
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CORONADO CONDO
LOVE IS
Caitlin is home, working on dinner.
Jamie comes in the door, slamming it shut behind him. He drops his satchel in the entryway and toes off his shoes. He stands there, head drooping.
Caitlin walks up to him, sliding her arms around his waist. "Tough day, babe?"
"Bad. I need you!" He's almost crying. "Can we cuddle a little, please?"
"Yes, you lay on the bed. I need a minute to put some things away in the kitchen. I'll be right there."
He goes and lays down on his side. She slips in and joins him, holding him close. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and embraces him tightly.
"Tell me about it, when you are ready. I want to help bear your burdens. You know that."
He nods and holds her close. Her touch, the fragrance of her perfume, the softness of her body all help him to unwind. He can feel the love radiating from her to him.
She can feel him gradually relax in her arms. This is what love feels like, what it does.
She has never felt this good in all her life.
After 15 minutes he starts to talk. He whispers, "we had a case today, human traffickers. Children, Caitlin. As young as 4 years old." He starts to sob . . . she tightens her hold on her beloved.
"I am here Jamie. I've got you; I love you!"
"I know; and some days, you are the only reason I get through the day. I love you so much, babe!"
"I know. Did you have a good ending to the case?"
"There were 10 kids. We saved 9 – we lost one little girl. A 5 y/o . . . it broke my heart!"
"I'm so sorry!"
"And, can you believe what one of my men said?"
Caitlin doesn't want to hear it.
"He said, 'hey, we're batting .900, not too bad' – I could have strangled him. Captain Espinoza had to restrain me. Now I'll probably get a rip! DAMN!"
"Babe, just hold me tight. I've got you."
They stayed in each other's arms for 20 minutes. Finally, Jamie drifted off to sleep. Caitlin slipped out of bed, covered him with a light blanket and went to the kitchen to see about a little dinner.
She put some freezer rolls into the oven to warm, got out 2 salmon fillets to bake when he got up, and started to work on a green salad.
She set a nice table with a white candle, checked to make sure they had some San Pellegrino sparkling water, turned down the lights and pulled the shades, and waited for him to stir.
When she hears him getting up, she quickly turns up the temp and pops the salmon in the oven with the rolls. She trots to meet him in the hall, locking her arms around his neck. "Do you need to wash your face and hands? Dinner will be ready when you are." She pecks him on the lips.
"Ok, thanks, sweetheart." He slips into the bathroom.
She goes back to the kitchen, takes the rolls out and covers them with foil, and quickly bastes the fish.
She sits at her place and waits.
When he arrives, he sits at his place and smiles at his fiancé. "I am the luckiest man on the planet!"
"And I am the luckiest lady!"
They raise their glasses and gently touch them.
"Will you ask God's blessing on us and our dinner, please?" She asks.
"I will. Bless us, O Lord-
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TBC
Cathy, Julie, Amanda, Katy.
