Jamie's Encore
Chapter 18 House Guests
CORONADO CONDO
AUGUST 20
"Are you ready to go, yet," Jamie hollers from the living room.
"5!" She hollers from somewhere back in the condo.
"This isn't a gala we are going to! We're just picking Nicky and Jack up at the airport, you know."
She strolls out of the hall, looking gorgeous as ever. She does a slow pirouette.
"How do I look?"
"Um, great."
"Did you even look, Mister Reagan?"
He does look. "Wow, is that outfit new?"
"New to you," she huffs as she grabs her purse and phone and walks out the door.
'What did I say?' He thinks. 'Women!'
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SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL
They wait outside security as Caitlin doesn't have clearance to get to the gate. They see Nicky and Jack coming down the concourse, talking and laughing.
After greetings, hugs and cheek kisses, they head for baggage claim.
"It's so good to see you both," Caitlin exclaims.
"Same here. I'm so glad to be out here, I'm eager to meet some people and make some friends," Nicky effuses. Jack rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, me too. Do you know where Coronado high school (CHS) is, uncle Jamie?"
"Yes, we drove by it the other day to check it out."
"Is it close to where you live?"
"7 blocks. I think you can walk. Coronado Island isn't a huge place," Caitlin remarks.
"It didn't look like it was. I checked it out on Google Earth." Jack tells them.
"There is one of my suitcases," Nicky squeals.
"One?" Jamie questions.
"Yeah, she has three!" Jack rolls his eyes.
"Shut up!" Nicky swats his arm. "I got mom to pay the extra luggage fee, barely."
The other 3 chuckle.
They finally collect all the luggage, get to the car and drive to the condo. As they walk in the kids exclaim, "Wow, what a nice place. I love the view!"
"I suppose Jack will get the guest room?" Nicky voices.
"Yes," Caitlin agrees. "You will be on an air mattress in our home office until we get your accommodations figured out. I hope Wednesday will help solve that part for you."
"Wednesday, what about that?" Nicky is curious.
"I usually practice in the Rady Shell on Wednesdays – you can see it over there (she points). Several college kids come to eat lunch and listen. We met 4 girls early on; I asked them if they would like to meet you, and they said yes. I initially thought of a supper; but I now think Wednesday lunch would work better."
"That sounds like fun," Nicky agrees. I'd like that."
"Well, let's get you 2 settled," Jamie says.
After they are unpacked, sort of, they decide on something simple for supper – pizza.
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WEDNESDAY 12:00
Caitlin and Nicky walk out onto the stage at the Rady Shell. They see the 4 girls in their usual seats and wave. Caitlin motion for the girls to come up front, they do.
"Girls, I'd like you to meet Nicky, Jamie's niece. She will be a sophomore at SDSU, same as you four. Nicky, here is Julie, Amanda (Mandy, she says), Kate and Cathy. Can Nicky eat her brown bag lunch with you?"
"Absolutely, come on and sit with us," Julie says. Nicky joins them, they move so she is in the middle. It isn't long before their chatter and laughter almost drowns out Caitlin's playing. After the foursome leave to go back to class, Nicky stays until the music is done. Then she goes up on the stage to talk with Caitlin.
"Well, what do you think of those girls?"
"I really like them."
"Do you have any living arrangement feelings? I'm not pushing, sweetie."
"No, they are all roommates – two rooms of two."
"Well, Jamie and I have discussed it. What would you think of having bunk beds in the guest room, at least to start. I bet as you start classes, or in the days before school starts, you may meet a potential roommate."
"I'm not fond of bunking with Jack. I like my cousin, but no thanks."
"I completely understand. Hey, we have a couple of weeks, no rush. And, maybe Jack will find another place to stay. You never know."
"Yeah, he might. Thanks for introducing me to the girls. I think we will be good friends."
"You're very welcome. Let's stop by the food trucks, see if we can find some supper.
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BAY RIDGE, NYC
REAGAN FAMILY DINNER
With only Pops, Frank, Erin, Danny, Linda & Sean in attendance, things are quite subdued.
The blessing is offered, food passed, plates filled then they start to eat.
Pops asks a question, "Francis, do you know when Caitlin's next concert is scheduled?"
"Yes, I asked her yesterday. It will be a Valentine concert, February 14. Does anyone at the table wish to go out for that?"
"Sign me up," Henry states his intent.
Frank adds, "She also told me that she will be playing at a special July 4th ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, in Honolulu. She and Jamie are trying for a 7-day stay in Hawaii. If he can get that much time off. He may not be able to get that much."
"It's pretty soon for him, isn't it?" Danny questions.
"Yes, he may need to draw on time not yet in the bank," Pops adds.
"Dad, are they keeping in close touch with you?" Erin is curious.
"They call at least once a week, often more."
"I bet he's feeling guilty, taking 3 seats away from this table," Danny huffs.
"Well Daniel, with Nicky and Jack college age, we can't really count on them." Pops spouts.
"Jack is a HS senior last I checked, Pops." Danny mutters.
Things quiet down.
It's just not the same.
Some of them were counting on the family dinner never changing.
Life isn't like that.
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CORONADO CONDO
Relaxing after dinner on the rear balcony, in the double lounger.
"Jamie?"
"Yes, babe."
"You know I have my piano students schedule full, for the time being. I've got 12 students."
"Are you wanting more?"
"I think my max will be 20; but I'm happy for now, as I settle in. But I'm thinking about something."
"What's that?"
"Well, there were 2 students that I might have accepted, except their English language skills were quite poor. I wasn't sure how our communication would be."
"Ah, I see where you are going babe."
"Yup, I think I need to learn Spanish. Have you thought of that in your line of work?"
"Yes, I have. Shall we go back to school together?"
"No, I mean here at home." She smirks.
"Have you researched this?" He smiles, knowing that she has.
"What do you think?" She pokes him in the ribs. "Si, Senor."
"Ah, you've got a head start, do you, Senora?"
"I'm still in the starting blocks, mister."
"So, the next step is?" He raises an eyebrow.
"Rosetta Stone. I ordered it from Amazon."
"I'm sure you did. Let your fingers do the walking. When should we start?"
"I was thinking Tuesday evenings. Would that work for you?"
"Hm . . . What about Thursday." Jamie suggests.
"Ok, that was my 2nd choice. Let's go with that for starters. Whose computer should we install it on?"
"Yours; mine has too much police stuff. I need to keep personal use to a minimum."
"Ok, it should be here in 2 days. So, we start next Thursday, correct?" She wants confirmation.
"Yup, my beautiful, little, red headed classmate!"
"Little?" She gives him the evil eye.
"Would you like some ice cream, my dear?"
She glares.
"Going!"
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TBC