Chapter 222 – Forty-eight Days
After Jack had showered, he went to his room and just needed some quiet time. Doug and Nathan had washed up and then let the others know what had happened. They gave the same shortened version they had told Elizabeth. Once they had talked to people, they settled downstairs in the sitting area with Lee. Frank and Peter were off to the side having what looked like a serious discussion, so they left them alone. Cody was up by this point and when Nathan didn't come back to the front room where he had been playing, he took his horses and went downstairs in search of Nathan. Gran and Abigail let him go as they had seen him head down. They knew the guys would find him or Cody would come back.
… … … …
After drying off, then changing back into shorts and shirts, the girls had settled in the library playing with the new games that Elizabeth had gotten them. Elizabeth went to help in the kitchen while she waited for Jack. They made all the meatballs for the next day and got the other ingredients set aside on the counter in the large walk-in pantry. They had made two batches of potato salad. They had the spiced candied pecans done as well as the ranch oyster crackers. The pork shoulder was currently in the large crock pot so they could make the pulled pork. Trish had taught Elizabeth how to make the puppy chow or muddy buddies as it was sometimes called.
They also had two meat and cheese trays done and in the fridge. All the veggies were cut and a tray was made up for the evening. The same with the fruit. They had sleeves of crackers in baskets ready to be opened. Everything was on the counters in the pantry, ready to be pulled out when needed. They had the candied bacon crackers in the oven.
"I think that is everything." Elizabeth said.
"I think so." Gran said. "We have time before dinner, let's sit and have a cup of tea."
"Sounds good." Abigail said. "We still have towels to fold, but all the laundry is done or in the dryer."
"Thank you so much for helping again." Gran said. "With everything going on it has been hard to keep up."
"Anytime." Abigail said. "I know how it can get. Sometimes during the school year, I can't figure out where the week went."
"So what do you do with Cody if you get called in to teach?" Elizabeth asked.
"Normally." Abigail said. "I can drop him off at the neighbors house. She has a little girl about Cody's age. She also sometimes watches another little guy for a friend. She works from home so it works out great. On the few occasions that she hasn't been able to take Cody, I have been able to drop him off at the daycare/preschool at the Church. Starting this fall, he will be going to preschool five mornings a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays, he will go from preschool over to the daycare just to be with kids his own age more."
"So he will have two full years of preschool before kindergarten?" Gran asked.
"Yes." Abigail said. "With him having a spring birthday, he will turn five and then finish preschool a few weeks later."
"And he will be going to St. Clement's?" Trish asked.
"Yes." Abigail said. "I am so glad they are expanding to the older kids. Peter doesn't like the public school and Becky is not looking forward to it either. Hopefully, it won't be for long. We already expressed interest in her coming back to St Clement's as soon as possible. I have no idea what we are going to do this fall with Peter. He hates going everyday. We have tried and tried to get him into Catholic Central, but with his grades slipping his changes are getting slimmer and slimmer. We have already applied and Becky is on a waiting list for Catholic Central. The last thing that we want is for Becky to go through the same thing as Peter."
"I thought he loved school?" Gran said.
"He did." Abigail said. "At St Clement's. His first year at middle school was okay, but each year has gotten worse and worse. He doesn't like how some of the teachers push certain agendas. He is smart enough to know most of what they are pushing is wrong, he just doesn't know how to always respond. This last year, his grades dropped and there were several conferences with teachers about various things. They say he doesn't have the foundation to be competitive. Personally, I think they look down on the kids that come from Catholic school and didn't come through their system.
Bill and I have argued that they just don't know how to teach. Peter is very smart, but reserved. He won't speak up in class unless asked directly. The teachers say he stares off into space and doesn't pay attention. Yet, when Bill and I ask him about the material he understands it. Bill is convinced they have docked his grades because he doesn't speak up a lot in class and they don't always like the conservative undertones his papers and research have. We have tried, but it is like talking to a wall sometimes with the principal over there."
"Have you considered using an online school?" Trish asked. "We are looking at Excel High School online for the girls next year. There are other ones, but we found that was the best for us. It will let the girls move at their pace and still be flexible with other commitments. They will be done with their current program by Christmas."
"I thought Jack said they were ten." Elizabeth said.
"Yes." Trish said. "But they have been doing year round school for the last two years. By the end of July, they will be finished with sixth-grade materials. They already started reading beyond that, but if they keep up the pace they are on. They will both graduate before they turn sixteen. We are hoping to get at least a year of college or more done through Excel and then they apply to attend a full-time college of their choice after they are seventeen."
"Trish, to answer your question. No, but I will talk to Bill about it." Abigail said. "I just worry about socialization for Peter."
"Elizabeth, I can see you have more questions." Trish said. "Give me a minute and I will get to them. I want to finish this conversation with Abigail."
Elizabeth nodded.
"Is Peter still in Scouts?" Trish asked. "What about the youth group at Church?"
"Yes." Abigail said. "He does both, but I am still worried since he doesn't have many friends in either. I mean he knows a lot of people, but no one that he really hangs out with."
"Then." Trish said. "If you do the online school, I would look into homeschool groups in the area. They usually have activities and other things for the kids. But I would make sure that you do it right away, some of them don't allow mid school additions. The one we are in, is more flexible since most of the kids and parents have other group commitments. It might be a way for Peter to find more like minded individuals. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Doug, Lee and Jack are rare. Most individuals find deeper friendships in college. I think it has to do with maturity, especially with boys, but also it is more a choice to be there."
Abigail nodded as she was thinking about what Trish had said. Trish turned to Elizabeth to answer her questions.
"Okay." Trish said. "What is it that you would like to know?"
"First of all, when is the girl's birthday?" Elizabeth asked. "How do you socialize with the girls? And how do they relate to others being so ahead of their peers?"
"The girls will be eleven on the 27th of August." Trish said. "So in reality they are only about a year or two ahead of their peers. Granted both of the girls are much further advanced in math, reading, music and art then that. As far as socialization goes, they do horse shows and piano recitals, among other things. Their riding lessons are with a group of four other girls that are all at the same level and within a year age wise. They spend the first half hour to forty-five minutes in the group and then they have a twenty minute private lesson. They get to ride while waiting for their private lesson. They get there, take care of their horses, and do the group session. Then they ride in the arena with the other girls or sit and talk.
The twins have the last two slots for private lessons, which usually turns into both of them out there as they switch horses. The instructor understands and has spoken to Marco about what the girls need. That is Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from September to April. The other time, if we are not up here, the girls have a combined private lesson, but spend at least two hours at the barn with other people. They want to be in the barn/arena. They like to sit and watch other lessons or riders. If that is what they want and they are fine with schoolwork, I don't care.
The twins also spend time with both older and younger kids, especially in our homeschool group. We meet up with other homeschool families during the normal school year for field trips. Those are usually during the week. We try to keep most trips to Wednesdays as it is a nice way to break up school lessons. They have been to all of the museums in the city, some several times. They have spent time with kids from different performing arts groups. I have had them do several different things. If you think about it, you can turn most anything into a lesson. We did baking to help with math and science. We visited a greenhouse to learn more about botany and how things grow. They have visited several different farms.
I believe in hands-on learning. I am always looking for opportunities to expose the girls to things. My James and I agree that it is easier with the girls now then it was with the older three when they were that age. Granted the oldest three also had opportunities to do things, but they all attended public school for at least part of the time. I think David was in middle school before we moved them to private school after a shooting at the school grounds where the kids were. No one was injured, but it was scary and James made the call he wanted his kids out of there. It was a drive by where the building was sprayed with gunfire during the day. Luckily no one was injured, but it was a wake up call. It was right after a major case that James had been working on so we didn't know if someone was trying to send him a message by scaring the kids.
Anyway, back to the girls. Last summer they each spent two weeks at camp, one together and then one week where they were at different camps. They don't realize that not everyone has had the opportunities to learn that they have. They don't brag about what they have done. As you have seen they can easily spend time with Becky, Cody and Opal. They are generally very laid back. I think it helps that they have been exposed to many different social situations since they were Cody's age. As they got older, the more that we did. It is also different with twins, there is a built-in socialization from the very beginning."
"I guess you are right." Elizabeth said. "They have easily included the other kids. I hope they know all the wonderful opportunities they have had. I have lived in/near the city most of my life and have only seen a fraction of the museums."
"Spend time with Jack and you will see a lot of them." Trish said. "Jack likes to spend time at several of the museums in the city. He has on more than one occasion gone with the girls to different museums. I think that their favorite is the Museum of Modern Art."
They continued to talk about different things the girls have done and different interests they have shown. The more Elizabeth talked with Trish and Abigail, as well as Jack and the guys, she began to realize that she really missed out on a lot growing up. Yes, she had gone on school field trips, but her parents didn't take her to museums or plays. She had gone to a number of theater performances with Rosemary over the years, but still. Elizabeth was also determined that her kids would have every opportunity to learn and do things. She wanted them to be able to have experiences she didn't.
As the ladies were talking, Jack and Nathan came upstairs.
"Was there something you needed?" Gran asked.
"I was going to see if you wanted me to make the bacon jam." Nathan said.
"If you want to do that this afternoon, that would be great." Gran said. "Frank picked up two more packages of bacon ends, both are still in the fridge. There are mason jars in the pantry. Just label what it is."
"Got it." Nathan said. "Thank you."
Nathan headed to the kitchen. Jack went over and sat by Elizabeth.
"I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk?" Jack asked.
"Sure." Elizabeth said. "Let me go grab my shoes downstairs."
Jack gave Elizabeth a quick kiss and then she headed downstairs.
"What is everyone doing?" Gran asked.
"Doug and Lee are watching horse racing from Aqueduct and Florida." Jack said. "Frank and Peter are talking, as well as watching the races."
"What are they talking about?" Abigail asked.
"Lots of things I guess." Jack said. "I know that they talked about Scouts and school. I honestly wasn't listening much."
"Oh, okay." Abigail said.
"Hey, don't worry about it." Jack said. "Frank has been mentoring a few young men at a Church in the city. Obviously Peter feels comfortable enough to talk to him."
"I guess you are right." Abigail said.
"Ask him about it?" Jack said. "I bet he will tell you."
"Is Cody still downstairs?" Gran asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Happily sitting on Doug's lap watching the races and playing with the horses Nathan made him. FYI he now has four horses, not two."
"He loves those things." Abigail said.
"I am sure." Gran said.
Elizabeth came back up dressed in her shoes and with her phone. Jack and Elizabeth headed out. He wanted to spend time with Elizabeth, but he also wanted to check how the horses were doing. Mostly he just wanted to be outside. Jack led them over toward the paddock where the horses were.
"How are you doing?" Elizabeth asked.
"Better." Jack said. "Thank you for letting me have some time. I have only dealt with a horse loose one other time and it didn't end well, so I was thinking about that. Then to see Connie hurt didn't help. Doug said that he told you a little bit."
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "But I still don't understand how something like that could happen."
"There were a lot of factors that played into it." Jack said. "But it was almost a domino effect. We had brought Midnight's Run back here to try and race him under some controlled situations where he didn't use the blinker cups."
"What are blinker cups?" Elizabeth asked.
"They are something we put around the horse's eyes." Jack said.
He pulled up a picture to show her what he meant.
"They limit what the horse sees to the side of them." Jack said. "It can help them focus on what is in front of them. We had been using half blinker cups with Midnight's Run. They are totally legal to use in racing, but some officials try to discourage the use of them saying that well trained horses wouldn't need them, they would learn to focus on you anyway. So we had brought Midnight's Run back here from California to run him against some of our other two year olds to see if he could handle not having the blinker cups. Then to also get him ready to race here in Saratoga.
From what I understand, Midnight's Run was on the inside against the rail when Irish Charm bumped him, essentially pushing him into the rail a little. Being a young horse and that having never happened, Midnight's Run kicked at Irish Charm, causing him to rear up and drop Grayson. When Irish Charm took off without his rider, Midnight's Run reacted by chasing him. Already agitated, Midnight's Run reared up again. Connie was trying to control him, but he was fighting her. He took off a full speed and when he jumped the rail, Connie fell hitting the rail, dislocating her shoulder.
Everyone went into preservation mode. They had a dozen other horses ready to run a race. They worked to get them out of the way and to safety. Several hands worked to corral Irish Charm. Others went to help/protect Grayson and Connie since the horses were still on the loose. Others went to try and find Midnight's Run. When we got there, it looked like controlled chaos. I immediately went to Irish Charm, who was barely being held by two hands. I was able to calm him and check him over. I then went over to see about Connie. Grayson had already gotten up and headed back to the jockey room. They were just loading Connie into the ambulance when we got word that Midnight's Run was cornered along one of the high fences over by the breeding facility.
I headed there. No one could even get close to him. I made the decision to tranquilize him. Not what I wanted to do, but I didn't have a choice, he was going to hurt himself or someone else and I couldn't have that. Once the tranquilizer took effect, we were able to get him back to the stable. But not without some difficulty. When we opened the trailer, he reared up again. So a second dose of tranquilizers were given. We got him into the stall, where I wanted to check him over. He was still saddled and everything. We needed to get that off and make sure that he was okay.
When I went into the stall to check him, he stomped and snorted at me. He pushed me a couple of times while I was trying to check him. He didn't injure me, but he also didn't want to be handled. Right now it is a wait and see game with him. Because Connie was injured, we have to report the incident to race officials. This is not the first time that he has been aggressive. The decision about what happens to him might be out of our hands. I am hoping that we can get him on the track next week and see how he does with the blinker cups back on. Maybe then I can convince race officials that it was just an unfortunate accident."
"Oh Jack." Elizabeth said. "I am so sorry."
Jack pulled her to a stop under the tree by the driveway. He turned her to face him. He then gave a quick glance around and pulled her over to the sand ring side of the tree and kissed her. He ended up backing Elizabeth up against the tree and she wrapped her arm around Jack's neck. Their kiss ended up getting a lot more involved then either of them had meant. Elizabeth felt her body as well as Jack's starting to react. She let go of Jack, putting her hands on his chest and pushing him back just a bit.
"We better stop." Elizabeth said, a bit breathless and in a raspy voice.
"You are right." Jack sighed.
Jack took another step back and then let out a deep sigh.
"Forty-eight more days." Jack rasped.
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
Jack stepped so he was right next to Elizabeth, turned and whispered in her ear.
"Forty-eight days." Jack said. "Then we don't have to stop."
Elizabeth turned away and blushed as she knew what Jack meant. As Elizabeth looked away, Jack quickly adjusted the front of his jeans. He then took Elizabeth's hand.
"Let's go look at the horses." Jack said.
Elizabeth followed Jack over to the horses.