Jamie's Encore
Chapter 27 Family Talk
A/N: I do not feel that J/C need to explain or justify an alcohol-free home. Millions (billions?) of homes are the same – mine for example.
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Coronado
"Frank here, hi Jamie, what's up?"
"Dad, about where we left things last evening. Caitlin and I talked, and we would like to be the ones to tell the family what they need to know about her life. I hope you understand."
Frank frowns, "You mean she put the kibosh on my sharing anything with the family?"
"No, we talked, and we made a mutual decision."
"I see, well is there anything I can say? I have a call scheduled with the NYC family. They will be very disappointed."
"Well, what about the bare facts. Incident at age 20, alcohol involved. It cost her a recording contract, her fledgling touring career and 1 year of her life. Towards the end pf that year she made the vow, which helped her recover. She followed friendly advice and sent a tape to Julliard; and here we are. Does that work?"
"Yes, it does. Thanks."
"Good, thanks dad."
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NYC – Family Dinner
Erin is hosting Sunday family dinner. These dinners have been rather somber affairs; the few family members still in NYC means light attendance. With Erin and Danny dominating the conversation, the talk is all too often snarly at best. It makes it a chore to attend. The two ladies, Erin and Linda, are increasingly concerned for the mental health of the group.
Dad (Frank) recently called and talked with his 'girls', and suggested that the next time they are together that he would do a conference call with them. He proposes telling them what he learned in his father/son talk with Jamie. He hopes that a better understanding of Caitlin, and the Jamie/Caitlin relationship, will smooth some things over, mend some fences, whatever. One can only hope! Toward that end, he calls when the NYC group is all together. The call is timed to occur before they sit down to eat.
RING RING
"Erin here, hi dad. I'm putting you on speaker."
"Excellent, hello gang! Who all is there?"
The phone is passed around:
"Hi dad, this is Linda!"
"Hello, Danny here."
"Hi grandpa, this is Sean."
"And this is Erin, of course. Is anyone else with you, dad?"
"No, I am alone here. I had hoped to have some things to share regarding Jamie and Caitlin."
"So, you have nothing?" Danny snorts.
"I have some bare minimum facts." Frank admits.
"To control the information flow?" Danny blurts out.
"Yes, they are operating their family differently than the traditional Reagan way. I hope we all can come to terms with that. I will share what I have."
"I hope so, too, regarding coming to terms" Linda adds, quietly.
"Caitlin had an incident at age 20, alcohol involved. It cost her a recording contract, her fledgling touring career and 1 year of her life. Towards the end pf that year she made the vow, which helped her recover. She followed friendly advice and sent a tape to Julliard; and here we are. Does that work for you folk?"
"Wow, at age 20!" Linda exclaimed. "That is impressive."
"Yes, it is. She started playing the piano at age 3."
"Mom started me at 7, I guess I was too late," Erin chuckles.
"Well, what's with Jamie?" Danny is puzzled. "Why is he going along with HER vow?"
"He told me that when he and Caitlin reached the point where it was obvious to both of them that their relationship had long-term potential, they had 2 serious talks. She shared all of her secret, and she shared her vow. She asked him straight out if he could live like that, if he could support that."
"It sounds like he might have been in too deep to get out!" Danny proclaims.
"Jamie did not frame it that way. I didn't get that impression." Frank answers.
"So, what did he say?" Linda has to ask.
Danny and Erin think that was a dumb question, they rolled their eyes.
"He obviously said yes. And he told me that he is not looking back – he is all in!"
Danny can't resist, "So, alcohol was involved. She got drunk, didn't she?"
"Jamie said alcohol was involved, but that's all he said about that." Frank admits. "It is obvious that this is very important to Caitlin, and therefore to Jamie. If we push back against it, we will most likely alienate that couple."
"But, dad, isn't that unreasonable?" Erin interjects.
Linda speaks up, "There are many people who are nondrinkers. This isn't new news folks!"
"But we've always had wine with meals," Danny moans.
"So, it's tradition. Jamie and Caitlin are following a different tradition; actually, making new traditions. That isn't wrong," Linda pushes further.
"Are you going to go home and throw out all our wine, Lin?" Danny snorts.
"Maybe," she smirks.
Erin and Danny are stunned.
"Kidding, sort of," Linda whispers.
Sean sits there, dazed.
Frank grimaces. His worry meter regarding Pops is off the charts. And he knows that if this snarky attitude carries over into Danny's work – that could spell disaster. But he can't say anything with his eldest on the call.
Sean moves to get up. Linda puts a hand on his arm, "Sean, stay. We need your help with this. Please?"
He stays.
"Do you know what the incident was?" Erin inquires.
"No, but Jamie does."
"He's not telling?" Linda mutters.
"No, he's not. He is honoring her wishes."
Silence.
"What's next, grandpa?" Sean inquires.
"Here's how I see it. 1) they have moved here to San Diego, and love it, 2) Jamie is a well-respected leader in the San Diego PD. 3) Caitlin is developing her niche with the symphony, and the community. They are all in; with each other, with their jobs, and the San Diego area. If we attempt to disrupt that we will only accomplish driving them even closer together and out the back door family wise. It won't work!"
"I hear you," Erin whispers.
Linda and Sean nod in agreement.
Danny scowls.
"Let's pray," Erin whispers.
They do.
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CAITLIN'S PIANO STUDIO
Caitlin breezes into work, she and Jamie had had a great weekend. They had gone to Lego Land, and acted like little kids. Afterwards they had driven down the coast and back home. Jamie spotted a taco truck, Caitlin groaned, as he stopped for some fish tacos. She had shrimp, just to be different! They bantered and teased each other the rest of the way home.
"Olivia, what's on the agenda today?"
"Boss, we got a really strange request in the mail."
"Yeah, what?"
"A consortium of high schools in Manhattan are inquiring about your interest in doing a series of lectures and performances on the composers of great piano music. For their Music Appreciation classes."
"High schools?"
"Yup!"
"Wow! I'd have to dumb it down!"
"And, they suggest doing it at Radio City!"
"NO!"
"YES!"
Silence. Thinking.
"Manhattan, huh?" Caitlin holds her chin in one hand.
"Yes," Olivia is dubious.
"Do you have a number?"
"Right here," she hands her boss a slip of paper.
"I'll make a call."
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THAT EVENING
"Jamie, what do you think of a trip back to Manhattan?"
"Hm . . . what! NYC? Why?"
"Slow down, babe." She explains the opportunity to him.
"Wouldn't that take some time to prepare?"
"Not much, for HS students."
"But what if Professor Samuels is in the audience? Or this is his idea?"
"My buddy from Julliard?"
"Yeah. You never called him your buddy when we were back there."
"Distance makes the heart grow fonder."
"Fonder? Am I missing something? Wait . . . is this some kind of family reconciliation move on your part?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Ah, ha. I thought so. NO, we're not going back to NYC right now. And, I think you should look into this. Maybe Samuels is up to something."
"You think?"
"Could be."
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NEXT MORNING
Caitlin stops at Olivia's desk.
"Do you have a friend at Julliard who you could ask something confidential?"
"Sure, what?"
"Jamie wonders if Professor Samuels might be behind that Manhattan invitation. The one you mentioned yesterday. Could you fish for me?"
"Absolutely. Give me a couple of days."
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3 DAYS LATER
"Do you smell some rotten fish, boss?" Olivia asks as Caitlin passes on her way to her studio office.
"Should I?"
"Yup. A plot to embarrass you."
Caitlin is dazed. "Son-of-a-bitch!" She whispers as she goes into her studio, slamming the door.
Olivia TXT Jamie: Warpath!
J: THX
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TBC