Jamie's Encore
Chapter 32 Homestretch?
FAMILY CONFERENCE
CONDO J&C
The entire Reagan clan is present.
For the last time? Maybe the first NEW time?
No one knows, they hope for the best. After all, the west coast could use a dose of Reagan seasoning, right?!
Pops has brought 2 bottles of Cab; Jamie has given him permission to leave leftovers in the fridge. Caveat: leftovers will be discarded after 2 weeks.
Jamie searched second-hand stores and found extension leaves for their dining room table. They don't match, but they are covered by a tablecloth so nobody will notice. Caitlin caste him a side eye, he ignored her.
DISCUSSION
As head of household, Jamie deferred to Frank to lead the discussion. He (Jamie) had been forewarned about the realization of a mistake, and was aware of the probable consequences of that on the group dynamic.
Frank began:
"There is one factor that we all need to consider, that has come up only in the last 2 days. That is, both Pops and I realize that we made a mistake in moving full-time to California. A better strategy would be to take an extended vacation or two per year.
Since the family home has not been sold, we are moving back to Bay Ridge."
Silence.
Danny and Erin scrutinize Jamie & Caitlin carefully. They see no indication of surprise on their faces or in their body language.
"So, Jamie, you knew this?" Danny inquires.
"I did, we did." Jamie admits.
"Yes, I shared this news with them," Frank admits.
"What about your condo here on Coronado Island," Erin wonders.
"We talked with the realtor who helped us find the condo. We are considering keeping it, having the real estate agency manage it as a rental, short term. That way Frank and I will have a place to stay during an extended vacation; and other family members can reserve it too." Pops explains.
"So, when we are out here, staying in gramps condo and come here for a family meal . . . we can bring a bottle of wine, right?" Danny pipes up.
"No, this is a onetime deal," Caitlin states.
"Do you agree with that," Pops huffs. Looking at Jamie.
"Absolutely, we discussed and agreed." Jamie declares.
"So, when we are out here, we never will eat here at your place," Danny declares, firmly.
"I will eat here with uncle Jamie and aunt Caitlin. If they'll have me," Jack declares.
"You are always welcome, Jack," Jamie says.
"Me, too?" Sean inquires.
"Yes," Jamie voices.
"And me?" Linda whispers.
"Yes," Caitlin whispers in return. "You are all welcome in our home."
Silence . . . the family stares at Danny.
Caitlin speaks, "I think you all know that as our relationship deepened, I asked Jamie an important question. Important to me. That was after I had fully explained what had happened to me that night in Natchez, Mississippi. And had subsequently made a non-alcohol vow for my personal consuming, and for my home. That question was; Can you live with, and support that? Can you, Jamie have meals with me and not have an alcoholic beverage? He thought for a while, then said a resounding YES! I can, and I will."
Jamie picks up the baton; "And I don't regret it one iota. So, what I'm hearing is that some of you value an alcoholic beverage above sharing a meal with Caitlin and me in our home . . . that speaks volumes to us."
Silence. Shifting body language.
"Well, I wouldn't frame it that way, counselor," Erin whines.
"How would you frame it, counselor?" Jamie comes back.
His sister looks at the floor.
"Dad, I respect you and Pops admitting that you made a mistake. Given what we discussed, I agree with you, Unfortunately, it seems not to have made a bit of difference in the present dilemma" Jamie voices.
"Jamie and I want you all to know that our 'philia' or family love is not diminished. Not one bit. You are always welcome in our home . . . at any time," Caitlin expresses.
"Thank you!" Jack exclaims. "Living here with you, I see a home and marriage that I hope to emulate someday."
"Amen to that," Nicky mutters.
Sean looks, amazed, at his brother and cousin. 'What are they seeing?' he thinks. 'I need to find out.'
Danny & Erin are taken aback! They look at the kids in wonder.
"Well, are Pops and I the only ones who have settled anything?" Frank expresses out loud.
Those who respond, only shake their heads.
Appetites seem to have gone out with the tide.
"Linda, Nicky and I have a light buffet planned. We can be ready in 20 minutes," Caitlin announces. "Who will stay for that?"
Frank, Erin, Nicky, Linda & her boys all express the desire to stay. Pops asks if anyone wants him to leave the Cab – no one says yes. He and Danny grab the wine and leave.
The ladies go to work, the others find a place to relax.
Sean asks Jack to join him on the balcony.
"Bro, what are you seeing here that you like so much?"
"Well, I see uncle Jamie treat aunt Caitlin as an equal. Always. They sometimes disagree, but NEVER argue! No raised voices, no cursing. Just a calm, loving family environment. I see what I would like my home to look, and feel like."
"Wow! But you love mom and dad, right?"
"Of course! It's just calmer . . . very little tension. Except when something happens." (Jack explains the PIANO LADY situation). And the lengths uncle Jamie went to in order to protect aunt Caitlin.
Sean understands, and is impressed.
"Time to eat, boys!" Their mom calls.
They join the family. Sean offers grace, and they all select their food. They sit in the living room, using TV trays, and quiet chatter soon fills the air.
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CONDO F & H
Pops prepares a frittata for himself and Danny.
"Pops, are we making a mistake? In regards to Jamie and Caitlin?"
"Well, I'm too old to want to change like that. You however?" Pops surmises.
"It just irritates me all to hell for Jamie to coddle that woman the way that he does! He needs to act like a Reagan, gramps! He needs to stand up to her. Don't you see it?"
"And if Linda had a reasonable reason to not drink? What would you do, Daniel?"
"Well, I wouldn't force her to."
"And if she asked you to not drink in front of her?"
"What are you getting at, Pops?"
"For the last 5 years of your grandma Betty's life, we had no alcohol in the house."
"What! I never knew!"
"Only Frank and Mary knew. We kept it quiet from the rest of the family."
"Why? I mean no alcohol?"
"Doctor's orders. And she asked me to join her. I did, gladly."
Danny stills . . . looks at the carpet.
Henry speaks, "Daniel, I'm thinking that I should stop acting like an old son-of-a-bitch! Jamie and Caitlin don't deserve that from me."
"And me?"
"You make the call. You are a grown man. Most of the time." Pops smirks.
"Time to act like a sensible, loving husband, dad and brother?" Danny posits.
"You make the call."
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TBC: Chipping away at the big block of ice that is, was, the Reagan clan. Ah, the Irish are tough!