Jamie's Encore
Chapter 34 Staten Island Surprise
Danny Reagan had driven back across country all by himself. He'd had a lot of time to think. Not everything that he mulled over was pleasant. He was tired and in a foul mood. He opened the fridge – no beer!
He went to the pantry – no beer, wine or spirits.
He looked in all his hiding places – no alcoholic beverages in the house.
"LINDA!"
Silence. God damned, silence.
They wouldn't do this to him, would they?
He hears a car pull into the driveway. He looks out; it's Linda and the boys. They start to haul groceries into the house.
"Danny, darling, you're home!" Linda gives him a peck on the lips and starts to put things away.
"Lin, where is-
"Dad, we stocked up on Coke. These cute little bottles, see?" Sean is excited.
"Where the hell is the beer!" Danny shouts.
"Dad, keep it down. We had a family meeting and decided to have an alcohol-free home just like uncle Jamie & aunt Caitlin. The vote was 3-0. So, we tossed it all out." Jack smiled at his dad.
Danny stood, stock still. He could not believe it.
"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?"
"To wake you up," Linda softly replies.
"What? Why?"
"You don't see what your actions are doing to this family, dad," Jack adds.
Danny huffs, turns on his heels and marches to his car. He gets in and lays down a streak of rubber as he exits the driveway. He catches the ferry and crosses to Manhattan. After driving for almost an hour, he finds himself parking outside a seedy bar in Queens.
He parks, enters and hunches down in a booth in the back. The light is dim, it is quiet, he is unknown. Just what he needs.
He orders a bottle of tequila and a shot glass; he goes to work on the bottle. 'I'll show those a—holes!'
3 hours later the bottle is empty, and Daniel Reagan is incapable of anything but breathing. The cops are called.
Officers Mason and Willis respond. The bartender shows them to Danny's booth. They try to get him to talk to them – no dice. He can't stand on his own; each officer takes an arm and maneuver him to their RMP. They get him into the back seat and drive to the 4-9 precinct. They get 2 more officers to help and 'stand' Danny Reagan before the booking sergeant. He is booked for public intoxication and shuffled off to a holding cell.
Before they leave him alone, one of the officers says, "I think I recognize this guy . . . wait a minute. This is Danny Reagan!"
"No way!" Another scoffs.
"Yes," says another, "It is!"
They call Syd Gormley, who has maintained his Chief of Department status. It is 23:00, Syd says he will be there in an hour.
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24:00 4-9 PRECINCT, QUEENS
Danny Reagan is sound asleep, snoring in his cell. Syd looks in at him, a mixture of sympathy and disgust on his face.
"Has he spoken?"
"No, sir. Out like a light."
"Well, when he wakes up, tell him I will be back at 08:00. Do not let him out before I arrive. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
Syd walks out, shaking his head.
Before he drives home, he calls Linda.
"Linda Reagan?"
"Yes, who is this? Do you know where my Danny is?"
"This is Syd Gormley, my dear. Danny is all right. He is sleeping off a drunk in a Queens holding cell."
"Was he arrested?"
"Yes, for public intoxication. We'll deal with that. I am going to see him at 8 o'clock. Do you want to come along?"
"Yes, please. Can my boys come too?"
"No, just yourself. I will send a car to pick you up. Please be ready by 07:15."
"I will. Thanks."
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08:00 4-9 PRECINCT, QUEENS
Syd and Linda stand before Danny's cell. He looks up, then turns away. "Get her out of here, Syd!"
"No." Syd declares.
"Please," Danny begs.
"No, she is here because she loves you."
"How in hell do you know that? Huh?"
"She told me."
Silence.
"I'm not worth loving." Danny sinks to his knees, crying.
"I agree with you. But for some crazy reason, she disagrees."
Linda chokes out through tears, "Where did the man I love go? Where is the smart aleck I married?"
Silence.
Syd reaches down and opens the cell. Linda slips in, kneels down and embraces Danny. They sob, together.
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HOME, STATEN ISLAND
Linda keeps her arms wrapped around her husband's waist as she leads him into their home. Together they collapse on the couch. The boys kneel in front of their parents.
"We're sorry dad," both boys express. "We didn't mean to cause so much trouble."
"No, you didn't cause the trouble I got into. I did it all on my lonesome."
"Your brother and sister-in-law don't deserve this treatment, Danny. None of your family do." Linda says softly.
"I know."
"Pops apologized. Erin and your dad have reconciled. The boys and I are fine with Caitlin and Jamie's stance, so is Nicky. You are all alone. We don't want it this way. We all love you!"
He drops his head into her lap, continuing to weep. They stay that way for a long time. Jack & Sean wrap their arms around their parents, in loving support.
Finally, Danny sits up. "Lin, what am I gonna do?"
"Love, what do you think will make it right?"
"A simple apology seems so trite."
"The Halloween shop at the mall has Western Union uniforms." Sean starts.
"Get outta here," Jack scoffs.
"No, wait . . . dad can go as a Western Union telegram man with a basket of fruit!"
Sean grins – they all descend into laughter. They collapse together in a mass of giggles. The tension is broken.
"I'll think of something," Danny muses.
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THANKSGIVING SD STYLE
The family has all traveled to California for Thanksgiving.
In addition to the family, Margie and Jill are invited. They have become regular guests (family, really) in Jamie and Caitlin's home.
The J/C Reagans serve appetizers, non-alcoholic wine and other 'soft' drinks. The atmosphere is festive. Caitlin and Nicky have decorated the condo beautifully.
After everyone is seated for dinner (Jamie at the head of the table, Caitlin at the foot), Jamie opens it up for statements of thanks. Notable responses were:
FRANK: I am so very pleased that we are all together today. As the song goes, it was a long and winding road. Rumor has it that we will enjoy some special Thanksgiving music after dinner. I wanted to take this opportunity to be the first to thank my newest daughter-in-law for that. (He nods to Caitlin, she nods in return).
DANNY: I want to express my sincerest thanks to my brother and his beautiful bride . . . for hosting us all today. I know that I created quite a mess, and none of you deserved it. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving and accepting me!
Danny went around and embraced Jamie, then Caitlin – he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
MARGIE: This is incredible! Our first Thanksgiving celebration, for Jill and I since a very sad day. Some of you know the reason for that; the rest, please don't ask. We are very grateful to Jamie and Caitlin for making us a part of their family. Thank you, always and forever!
JACK: Thanks to uncle Jamie and aunt Caitlin for supporting me this year in high school. I love you guys!
NICKY: Thanks to my aunt Caitlin for helping me find some friends at SDSU. That really helped me get off to a good start here in California.
They all enjoyed a feast of turkey, baked salmon and all the trimmings. For dessert, Nicky brought out her 4th try at flan. She was getting very good – all raved!
Then they all found a place of comfort and Caitlin took the bench of her baby (grand piano). After a few breaths she began with 'Fur Elise', one of Beethoven's most popular piano works. Then she played his sonata No. 8, Pathetique. The room was hushed, the listeners in awe. Caitlin had them spellbound. Jamie's buttons were popping, he was so very proud of her. He would make that clear later!
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For Christmas Santa brought Jamie & Caitlin a 2-seat sea kayak. They had fallen in love with this water sport vehicle, and had been waiting for Santa to deliver. Adventures lay ahead!
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TBC