And love
Chap 44 Holidays
THANKSGIVING
The table at Bay Ridge was under-populated and rather somber. The traditional round the table giving thanks was rather abbreviated. Nobody really wanted to speak; what was there to be thankful for? Around the table was only Frank, Henry, Erin & Nicky; Danny, Linda & the boys. 8 family members but the room felt strangely empty.
Pops had done his usual great feast. Appetites, however, were significantly suppressed.
There was anxiety in the air as to what Christmas would be like. Can this be fixed by then?
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Eddie and Jamie had accepted Paula and Joe's invitation to have dinner with them. Paula had wished that she could invite Linda; but she knew that would cause the simmering family cauldron to boil over. Or the cherry bombs in the mail boxes to explode.
Eddie & girls had contributed to the meal.
"This is so great!" Paula is expansive with joy. "I haven't had the pleasure of roasting a turkey in years!"
Is that the aroma I smell?" Cassie whispers to Eddie. "Yes, Isn't it great," Eddie replies.
"Yummy," all 3 girls' hum.
At the table everyone expresses appropriate thanks. There was some sadness, felt but not spoken.
The pumpkin pie for dessert was an eye opener. None of the younger set had ever had it before. Eddie realized that she had some holiday traditions that she, as a mother, needed to introduce her family to. She had some work to do,
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1st WEEK OF DECEMBER, BAY RIDGE
Jamie has responded to a call from his dad; he and the patriarchs are talking in the sunroom.
"Jameson, your father and I are worried about Christmas. What can you tell us about your plans?"
"Eddie and I are not going to expose our girls to the negative atmosphere inevitably present when the whole family gathers. I don't know if you two can really appreciate the adverse influence that has on Cassie, Malina & Mary Rose. Children are very perceptive of emotions and attitudes. You may think that you hide negativity – but you just can't . . . so, we are going to spend Christmas with the 5 of us; and we will invite those we trust to maintain a merry Christmas spirit." Jamie raises his head to face them, he is almost weeping.
"Is that final, son?" Frank asks.
"Yes, and please don't put pressure on the girls."
"We understand," Pops acquiesces.
After Jamie leaves; "A fine kettle o' fish.!" Pops stammers.
Frank nods, pensively.
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BREAKFAST, J/E/GIRLS
"Daddy, I missed GG at thanksgiving! Can't he and grandpa be here with us at Christmas?" Mary Rose sniffles.
Mal and Cassie agree with their youngest sister.
Jamie looks to Eddie, "It's going to be really hard enforcing this, sweetheart!"
"I know, but on principle, we are on solid ground." His wife points out. They both wish it was otherwise.
Cassie speaks to a point, "We haven't prayed in our prayer circle about this, sisters." She looks to Mary Rose and Mal. They return her look and nod. "Are uncle Danny and aunt Erin the ones we should pray for?" She asks her mommy.
"Yes,' Eddie whispers. "But including all the family in your prayers would certainly demonstrate the Christmas spirit."
J{amie looks lovingly at his wife, she returns the look.
The girls ask to be excused and troop upstairs.
Eddie and Jamie cuddle on the love seat, they are so proud of their daughters! They seem to just roll with the punches! If only the adults in the family could do the same.
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Manhattan DA'S Office
Erin is at her desk eating her lunch. A turkey club from the food cart in the downstairs lobby. She is thinking about the family mess. It seems that everyone is against her; even Danny has turned! What's the problem?
She remembers her marriage to Jack Boyle. Some family members didn't like Jack, a lot. But they didn't shower her and Jack with negativity, as she is doing with Eddie and Paula . . . at least often. Family dinners weren't like walking over a pit of coals, or sleeping on a bed of nails. What's the difference?
Personalities?
Stubbornness?
Perceived nefarious behavior?
Rank immorality?
Feeling of being left out?
Jealousy?
There's only 1 person who can fix this!
She calls dad and tells him she will be busy on Sunday; she will not make family dinner.
She calls her younger brother and asks (begs, pleads) to bring mac & cheese for the whole gang to his & Eddie's apartment for Sunday dinner. She promises the apology he has been seeking. After some discussion, he agrees. She asks that Paula & Joe be there; he agrees to that also.
THAT EVENING AFTER SUPPER
Jamie announces to the family the good news; their aunt Erin will be bringing Sunday dinner. He encourages Eddie to call Erin and coordinate what can be done to fill out the meal. And that Paula and Joe will be coming also.
He had talked with Paula and Joe; she was quite hesitant, but Jamie told her that he didn't necessarily expect any dramatic burying of the hatchet. She agreed to listen and give Erin a chance to have her say. Jamie was hopeful.
When Pops got wind of this, he attempted to get an invite. Jamie deftly kept him at bay, and depended on dad to keep gramps from crashing the party!
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SUNDAY J/E
The girls have set a beautiful table, Eddie was wondering what she would do without them. Jamie had to scrounge for some acceptable looking TV tray for people to eat on. Everything was ready.
KNOCK
"It's auntie Erin, I'll get it," Mary Rose shouts.
Eddie winces; will that girl ever learn to talk in an indoors voice? Maybe kindergarten will help.
Actually, Cassie beats her sister to the door. The younger sissy stands behind her with hands on hips – a pout on her face.
"Hello, aunt Erin," Cassie welcomes her. Seeing the 3 bags Erin has brought (2 in hand, 1 on the floor) she calls out, "Dad, can you help here?"
Mary Rose scoots around her seater and picks the one bag and marches proudly to the kitchen. 'Ha, that'll show her!'
Erin chuckles at the maneuvering, much tension slipping away from her shoulders. "I love this family' – she realizes as soon as she thinks it that this is HER family! She should love them!
Jamie quickly joins the welcoming party, followed soon by Eddie, Mal and the rest. The food is taken to the kitchen where it is readied for the table by the ladies.
Jamie calls DINNER and they gather in the dining room. They stand holding hands with bowed heads as Joe offers the traditional Reagan family blessing for their meal. They each take a plate, fill it with good of their choosing and find a seat. They begin to eat and talk.
"Brother," Erin begins; "If you are starting to host these dinners, you & Eddie will need more room." There is a twinkle in her eye. She winks at him.
He looks to Eddie and smiles. "You are so right, sis. We will have to work on that."
The girls pick up on that right away, and are about to burst with questions when mom gives them the 'not now' look. They settle down.
"Erin, you asked for this dinner, what were you hoping to accomplish?" Jamie hopes to god he knows.
Before she can start, Mary Rose scoots over to her side. She loops an arm around one of her auntie's and rests her cheek aside Erin's forearm. The elder woman isn't sure she can speak now; but she begins.
"I have done a lot of thinking. I realize that I've been mean, unfair, unnecessarily probing . . . I could go on and on. The prosecutor in me will not let go until all knowable facts are out in the open. Well, I am laying that aside . . .pushing it aside really. I would like a restart with Eddie, and a start with Paula – if you will allow it. Please?"
All 3 ladies are misty eyed. Eddie speaks,
"Erin, of course we can restart. I'm not sure we need to call it that; but if that works best for you, I'm in, all in!" She gets up and strides to Erin, who meets her half-way. They embrace and are joined by all 3 girls. Tears abound.
After things settle down, Paula speaks, "When Jamie told me your reaction to whatever little he told you about me, I was shocked! How could anyone react so, to someone she didn't even know?"
Erin hangs her head, shaking it slowly in disbelief. Her past behavior was shameful.
Paula continues-
"I guess I over reacted also. I closed off my mind to any dealings with you, or your family. I didn't see any possibility, or any need to interact with the Reagans; except those who chose to be my friends. Linda, Eddie & Jamie and the girls. But as I thought about it, I realized that my stance penalized Joseph. And he doesn't deserve that. So, while I am not sure what kind of relationship the larger family and I will have . . . I must, and I will put all negativity behind me. If you desire to start, and see where a friendship might go – I am willing to try."
Both ladies stand and move to each other; they tearfully embrace. Joned as before by 3 very excited young girls.
When things settle down, Mal speaks. "Our little prayer circle has been praying for this. My sisters and I are very happy!" She gives Paula and aunt Erin one more hug.
"Well, everyone, ready for dessert?" Eddie proclaims. "These 3 excitable young ladies have something to share."
The girls race to the kitchen. They soon appear with 3 things. 1) a three-tier white cake, 2) a bowl of diced strawberries, and 3) a large bowl of whipped cream. After Eddie passed out bowls, utensils and napkins; the girls went around and allowed each person to help themselves. They started with Erin and Paula.
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BEDTIME
Erin, Paula and Joe stayed until the girls were safely tucked in for the night. Mary Rose had requested her aunt Erin read them a story – she did, of course. The adults gathered back in the LR to finish the night.
"Will you and Joe come to family dinner sometime soon," Erin posits.
Joe looks to his mom, "I don't think that is where we'll start. Do you mom?"
"I agree, son. I would prefer to continue working on our friendship with Linda, Jamie & family, and add you bit by bit."
Jamie winces internally. That's not the Reagan way. Eddie sneaks him a look; she has learned the Reagan way of plunging all in. Not everyone does that.
(Wow! If others knew of the Empire State tryst! They never will.)
"I think that's sensible. Maybe we can do an occasional ladies get together, eh?" Eddie looks to Paula and Erin.
"And Linda makes four?" Paula adds.
"Yup,"
Erin and Eddie agree.
"Good, I will take first crack at organizing that," Erin volunteers.
"Hey," Joe interrupts. "We need a boy's night!" Jamie nods in assent. He's sure that Danny will be on board.
"So, we've kissed and made up?" Eddie mutters. "Well, Jamie and I will take care of the kissing part! Later."
"Eww!" Is heard all around, before they descend into laughter.
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TBC
Hard earned victories are sweet victories!
