Jamie's Encore
Chapter 31 Mistake
NYC
Erin is sitting at her desk, eating her lunch. A turkey club, as usual. Her life is bare, as usual. No family in town for 2 weeks now, not usual. But not down far from the usual – these days. How depressing! 'I wonder if there are any openings in the San Diego DA's office?'
She starts to look online, then stops. Who is she kidding? She is a New Yorker thru and thru. She's going nowhere. Really nowhere! As usual.
Why did Jamie have to do this? To move up, silly! Something he had no chance of doing here! While . . . wait! Dad isn't PC anymore! Maybe I can get him to move back here! No wait, there is Caitlin, damn!
Caitlin.
No, no, no, don't go blaming her. That's what got me started in the beginning.
My kid brother isn't a kid anymore . . . no matter what Danny calls him.
Danny.
He really has his head up his ass, doesn't he. I think I'm too much on his band wagon on this one. Linda and I-
Linda.
She deserves better than my idiot older brother. But she loves him!
Love.
I had it once. I let it slip thru my fingers. Jack and I-
Jack.
No, no, no. That isn't an answer to any of this, Erin. Do. Not. Look. That. Direction!
God, this family has really self-destructed. I read that families that do this were headed here anyway. The implosion only needed a catalyst.
Catalyst.
Caitlin.
Jamie loves Caitlin.
God, she is a talent! I can see why Jamie is smitten! Why he is ALL IN! They both have the partner they want. They are building the life that they want. They are in the city & climate they want. Breaking that up would be a SIN! Not to mention mission impossible.
If I can only get Danny's head out of his ass, and screwed on straight!
Note to self: check flights to San Diego.
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SAN DIEGO
Caitlin steps out onto the stage of the Rady Shell. It is Wednesday – her usual outdoor practice day. As usual there are a group of university kids eating lunch, and waiting to listen. She sees the usual 6 girls, her girls; she motions for them to come down front. Thy do.
"Hi girls."
"Hi, Caitlin."
"I have some news. Jamie and I have been campaigning for sponsors for tickets for young people; for symphony concerts."
"You have?" Several exclaim.
"Yes! And, we have 20 seats for the upcoming symphony season! 20 tickets for each symphony concert. We are wondering if you girls would like to be in charge of distribution?"
Shock! Silence.
"Yes," they explode!
"Ok, then, we are inviting you girls to brunch at our condo, this coming Sunday 10:00. We will hash (pun intended) out the details. Can you make it?"
"YES!"
"Ok, Nicky can give you our address and directions. Any dietary special needs or dislikes, tell Nicky. We will see you Sunday."
They go back to their seats, chatting.
Caitlin begins to practice.
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SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
20:00 Erin Reagan hadn't told anybody that she was coming to San Diego. Only her boss and her secretary knew. This was a stealth mission. Also, high stakes; she was certain that the emotional health of the Reagan family was at stake. She would soon see how much she had learned from her mother, Mary O'Reilly Reagan. She hoped it was a lot!
She catches an Uber to her hotel. The driver complained about the 3 suitcases. "Cabbies are rude everywhere' she thinks. She checks Jamie's address on her phone; wondering how to plan her day tomorrow. She sleeps restlessly, if at all.
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CORONADO CONDO F & H
The gents are having a night-cap, their usual scotch. Frank looks thoughtful.
"What's on your mind Francis? You seem rather pensive tonight."
"I made a mistake, Pops."
Henry looks at Frank, incredulously. "Retiring?"
"No, moving."
"Ah, I was wondering when you would reach that conclusion."
"You've thought the same?" Frank queries.
"Yes, for a while." Pops admits.
"I see Jamie leading the formation of a strong California brand of Reagan family. He and Caitlin are a tremendous pair. I guess I got caught up in the newness of that pair, the great San Diego climate, the desire to try something new."
"Yes, they are a great couple."
"You once said that long San Diego vacations made more sense for you. Why did you move?" Frank is puzzled.
"Well, with you gone, Erin would move in as soon as your plane took off!"
"Yeah, there is that. But that's probably in the cards anyway." Frank opines.
"Probably, down the road. But you and I together can handle that." Pops thinks.
Silence, thinking.
"So, what are you gonna do?" Pops raises an eyebrow.
"Move back. The house hasn't sold, yet."
"No, we've listed it at $4 M; best offer has been $3.5 M." Henry adds.
"You?" Frank fishes.
"Whither thou goest, I goest!" Pops smirks.
"Ah, you are Ruth today?"
"Yup. Shall we take the house off the market?" Pops asks.
"Yes, I will make that call."
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Erin looks at her phone again. She has decided to go to dad's instead of Jamie's; her younger brother and wife will be at work, anyways. She will tackle that nut later. She's still not sure how to approach this. (Little does she know that a possible solution is already in the works)
KNOCK KNOCK
Frank opens the door. "Erin!" He envelops his only daughter in a bear hug. Henry is close behind. They usher her to the kitchen table, and offer her a beverage.
"Ok, what's the occasion? You know that with you here, the entire Reagan clan is in San Diego!" Frank announces.
"What! No!"
"Yes. Linda flew out for a little vacation. Danny and Sean came on a road trip. You know that Jamie, Caitlin, Nicky & Jack were already here. So, the whole clan is here."
"Wow! That is great. We can all get together and pound heads! Straighten out this big mess!" Erin expounds.
"Ah, but there is a kicker, "Pops grins.
"What," Erin frowns.
"Pops and I have come to the realization that we made a mistake." Frank smiles.
"What?" Erin is confused. "So?"
"We are moving back to NYC!" Frank declares.
"No!"
"Yes."
"Well . . . that changes things, doesn't it?" Erin concedes.
"Yup." Pops grins.
"By the way, where is Danny?"
"He and Sean went to Sea World."
"Ah, well when can we get together?"
"Let's make some calls."
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THAT EVENING
Jamie and Caitlin are once again on their back balcony. They have invited Jack to join the discussion.
"So, about the family conference tomorrow evening," Jamie opens the conversation.
"Babe, in the interest of harmony, I would suggest that we let Pops bring a couple of bottles of wine." Caitlin brings up.
Both Jamie and Jack look at her puzzled.
"I am serious." She emphasizes.
"Really? Isn't that giving in?" Jack asks.
"I would make it clear that this is a one-time deal." She voices. "To get and keep the family talking."
"I'm ok with that, if you really are ok, sweetheart," Jamie says.
"I am."
"Jack?" Jamie looks to his nephew.
"I'm ok, if aunt Caitlin is."
"I'm good. Promise."
"Ok, I'll call my dad," Jamie goes inside.
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TBC