Jamie's Encore
Chapter 20 Scrutiny & Thanksgiving
The next Wednesday at the Rady Shell, Jill has joined the 5 girls in the seats as they eat lunch and listen to Caitlin practice. Two of the girls have known Jill peripherally, but not really well. They have a good time eating, talking, laughing and sometimes listening.
After the music stops, Caitlin motions for Nicky to bring her new friend down to the front. Caitlin talks with Jill for a bit. Then she broaches the topic of Nicky living with Jill.
"I am sure you understand that Nicky's mother has some questions about this."
"I'm sure, my mom would." Jill nods.
"Jamie, my fiancé, is Nicky's uncle. Would your mom agree to Jamie and I coming to your house, maybe for coffee, and get to know you and your mom. I'm sure that Nicky's mom would appreciate something like that happening. It might ease her mind."
Jill and Nicky look at each other, then Jill nods. "I think that would be ok. Can I ask her and get back to you?"
"Absolutely. Here is my card, and she can call me too."
"Thanks."
Nicky smiles, takes Caitlin's hand and gives it a squeeze.
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The meet, greet, coffee at Jill's home goes very well. The house is neat, well kept and pleasant. Jill's mom, while quite nervous at first, gradually opens up and answers and asks appropriate questions. Jamie and Caitlin are reassured that Nicky will be safe and happy.
Thy call Erin (who knew this was going to occur) and report their findings. Erin is reassured, but instructs her brother to keep a close eye on the situation. He agrees, and rolls his eyes – earning himself a swat on his chest. He grins and grasps Caitlin and gives her a solid kiss on the lips, she doesn't seem to mind.
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Jack is firmly ensconced at CHS. He is making friends, trying to emphasize Latino friends – it is working.
Nicky also has chosen to take a Spanish class as an elective.
This makes for an interesting time at 'home'. Caitlin, Jamie & Jack are trying to speak Spanish as much as they can. And when Nicky is present, she joins right in. They are quite sure that the NYC family would have several different reactions. They have had laughable conversations miming how various family members would respond.
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SUNDAY FAMILY DINNER – SD STYLE
"Kids, what would you like to do for Thanksgiving?" Jamie asks.
"Jill and I talked about that." Nicky voices. "When I brought it up, she got a very sad look on her face. Turns out that her parents got divorced 5 years ago close to Thanksgiving time. She and her mom haven't celebrated it since." Nicky shed a tear.
"Wow," Jack whispers. He reaches for Nicky's hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. She gives him a soft smile.
Is he turning into the supportive brother she never had?
Jamie and Caitlin look at each other.
"Honey, can we do something about that," Jamie asks her.
"I think we can," she smiles back.
"Nicky, why don't you invite Jill and her mother to join us for Thanksgiving? Would you be comfortable with that?"
"Yes, really?"
"Absolutely, sweetie!"
"I'll do that, thank you!"
"Uncle Jamie?" Jack hesitantly asks.
"Yes Jack."
"My lab partner in Advanced Chemistry has asked me to have Thanksgiving dinner with her family. I debated asking, but now-
"How well are you acquainted," Jamie cocks his head.
"Well, as much as I can know about a classmate. I've seen both her mom and dad as they pick her up."
"You see no warning signs?"
"None."
"What time do you and she get out of school?"
"3:30, why?"
Jamie thinks . . . "why don't I come by and pick you up. Will one of her parents be by tomorrow?"
"Probably."
"A Lieutenant, check out?" Caitlin smirks.
"Yup! Just what Danny would do."
Everyone laughs.
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THANKSGIVING
Jamie and Pops coordinate dinner times, and Frank will be expecting the call.
Caitlin has prepared their feast; she LOVES cooking for her family. The table is groaning with:
Ahi tuna steaks, twice baked potatoes, carrot coins baked in peppered milk, relish tray (hearts of Romaine, artichoke hearts, sliced avocado, deviled eggs, baby sweet pickles, snap peas, plus dressings [Ranch, Bleu cheese, Jamaica mistake]), your choice of non-alcoholic beverage. Dessert to come.
THE CALL
"Hello, Frank and NYC family here." In turn the NYC group introduce themselves and wish all a Happy Thanksgiving. Frank, Pops, Erin, Danny, Linda and Sean. Sean introduces his girlfriend, Beth.
"Jamie here, Happy Thanksgiving. I will pass the phone and let everyone introduce themselves. Just so you know, Jack is having dinner with his Chem lab partner and her family. And we have here:
"Caitlin here, Happy Thanksgiving to you all!"
"Nicky here, Happy Thanksgiving mom and everyone!"
"Jill here, Happy Thanksgiving. Nicky is staying with me and my mom."
"Margie here, Happy Thanksgiving! I am Jill's mom. We are so grateful to join you all. Thanks Jamie and Caitlin!"
After the call is done:
"You are so welcome." Caitlin squeezes Margie's hand. "Just so you know; Now that you and Jill are here, and Nicky is staying with you, we will be considering you family. Unless you resist fiercely." She gives Margie and Jill a 1,000-watt smile.
Margie drops her head and shakes it, "We won't resist, will we?" She gives Jill the side eye.
"No," Jill replies, shyly.
After the meal, Nicky brings out dessert.
"Caitlin asked me to make this. So, if it's dreadful, blame her." Nicky grins, Caitlin frowns. Nicky unveils: flan and churros with cinnamon sugar!
Dessert is a hit. They have had better flan, but for Senorita Reagan-Boyle's first try, it's pretty good!
After dinner, they all relaxed on the back balcony. They talked, laughed, cried and more. The got acquainted with the new family members and started to bond. Margie especially started to relax. She was really going to enjoy this family. She has never been accepted and supported like this. Several times she bowed her head and seemed to be praying – she was offering a prayer of thanks that she and Jill had found a new family!
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NYC – BAY RIDGE
After the family was gone, the table and kitchen cleared and cleaned, Frank and Pops relaxed in their usual comfy chairs.
"Well, Francis. It looks like the west coast branch of the Reagans is well established, and in good hands."
"Would you have expected anything less?"
"Not at all. Jameson is a strong, capable young man."
"That he is. Tell me, dad . . . what do you plan on doing as far as west coast visits are concerned?"
"Well, there is the Christmas wedding. Then the Valentine's concert. It doesn't make any sense to me to come back here between those dates. Don't you think?"
"I suppose not," Frank whispers. He is downcast.
"Francis, let's be straight. Between you and me. I'm not going to live forever. I see this as fortuitous; I mean, it gives me a reason and a place to get away from some of New York's winter weather. And it pushes you to think about life after dad, even though you may not be ready to think about that yet." Pops pauses, lets Frank think.
Silence.
"I guess you are right. You not being here just is something I haven't wanted o think about . . . the most logical next step is one I am not sure I'm ready for. Or want."
"You mean Erin moving in and mothering you?"
"Yeah." Frank whispers.
"Well, there is a solution to that, you know."
"I know." Frank nods his head.
"Shall I say it?" Pops asks.
Frank motions for his dad to continue.
"You retire and move to an apartment on Coronado Island."
"Then there's Danny and Erin-
"Are they anchors that you will be dragging around for the rest of your life?" Henry huffs. "They are grown up, Francis."
"In some ways." Frank looks at Henry.
Henry snorts, "Francis, if ever there was a right time . . . this is it!"
"You are correct."
Both gentlemen take a sip of their scotch.
"You are right." Frank whispers.
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TBC
A/N: Sometimes the only way to conquer is to divide!
I hadn't pre-planned the last talk between Henry and Frank. It just came to me as I was writing. It opens a door though, doesn't it?