Chapter 256 – End of a Long Holiday (long)

The afternoon was more subdued after Bill had taken Frank to the hospital, but the children still were having a good time. The girls absolutely loved the time that they had gotten to spend in the pool. The conversation among the adults had shifted to children and raising them. Caitlin and Lee were playing with the children. The girls had gotten out of the pool and were mostly dry, so they joined the games. They weren't quite ready to change again.

When Elizabeth got back to the patio, she noticed the change, but didn't say anything. She went over to Gran.

"He is fine." Elizabeth said. "He is talking to Father Mark for a bit and then they will be up."

"He didn't break anything did he?" Gran asked.

"No." Elizabeth said. "He was using the punching bag down in the gym. I also forced him to talk to me."

"If he was hitting something." Chief said. "He was probably frustrated and didn't know why. Sometimes the only way to get rid of that feeling is through something physical."

"He said as much." Elizabeth said.

"So he is okay?" Trish asked.

"For the most part." Elizabeth said. "He is not happy with what happened and is worried about Frank, but he will be okay."

"Bill texted and they have set Frank's nose." Abigail said. "They are waiting on a specialist, but they did a scan of his head to make sure there wasn't more damage. I guess they are waiting for the results when the specialist gets there."

"Then we just keep praying." Gran said.

"I don't know what kind of damage Frank had before." Chief said. "But if you get hit just right, it can temporarily blind you because of the stun to the nerve. It usually fixes itself in a day or so. I had it happen to me once on the job. It is a freak thing and there is nothing anyone can do. If he also broke his nose, that might also account for vision changes."

"I think the amount of blood and previous damage made things look worse." John said. "I called the hospital and he is getting the best care possible."

"Good." Elizabeth said.

As they were talking, Doug and Nathan came back with the other children. They wanted drinks and a snack, so Elizabeth helped them to get set up. Lee pulled Doug and Nathan aside and filled them in on what happened. Both felt bad that Frank had been injured. They had wondered what was going on when they had seen Ed, Blaine and Tommy head this way. Nathan had thought about turning around, but he knew that he had promised the kids a ride and there were plenty of other people up at the house that could deal with Tommy if there was a problem. It didn't stop him from closing his eyes and saying a quick prayer.

Nathan felt bad that Jack was struggling once again, but he knew that as long as Jack felt he was responsible for everyone and everything, he was going to be frustrated. Nathan had learned that he couldn't control everyone and everything. Did he forget that at times? Yes, but he has been constantly reminded his can't control everything, especially when it came to his sister.

… … … …

After Elizabeth closed the gym door, Father Mark looked at Jack.

"Talk to me." He said.

"Is it wrong of me to hate Tommy." Jack asked. "Given everything that has happened and how difficult he has made my life."

Father Mark thought for a moment. While he was doing that, Jack moved over to the cooler part of the floors and Father Mark followed, sitting on the mats facing Jack.

"God wants us to love everyone." Father Mark said. "But that doesn't mean we have to like everyone. I don't know if you truly hate Tommy or are just so frustrated with his behavior and lack of awareness. Only you can answer that, but I am not going to force you to analyze those feelings right now. Let's let things calm down. I will ask what it is going to take to allow Tommy back on the property, if the judge lets him out."

"He would have to apologize to Frank, Grandpa John, you and I." Jack said.

"I would add our grandparents as well." Father Mark said. "What else?"

Jack nodded.

"I think there needs to be a clear behavior contract." Jack said. "Clearly spelling out what is and isn't acceptable and the consequences of violations. I know that the list wouldn't be all inclusive, but it would be a start. I also think that the things Frank said need to be taken into consideration. Ed is great and I wouldn't want to lose him, but if Blaine is part of the problem, then maybe he needs to go."

"Can I speak to your Grandfather about these things?" Father Mark asked.

"Yes." Jack said. "I also think Bill and Frank need to be part of that conversation."

"I agree." Father Mark said. "Maybe Chris or Devin as well. It is not like your Grandfather to be caught flat footed like that."

"Frank called him Marshland." Jack said. "But Ed's last name is Harder. Maybe that was why?"

"Marshland?" Father Mark said. "I am not positive, but maybe his mother's new last name. Her and Ed were divorced and she remarried about the time Blaine was in high school."

"Either way." Jack said. "I had more questions for Frank about it, but I think I will try to stay out of it for now and let Grandpa handle it. Tommy pushes my buttons too much."

"That is very mature of you to recognize that." Father Mark said. "I will relay the conditions later."

"Thank you." Jack said.

"Now." Father Mark said. "Go get washed up and dressed."

"Yes, Sir." Jack said.

Father Mark stood up and pulled Jack up and pushed him toward the locker room. Father Mark headed toward the door. He knew Jack was still struggling, but there was no need to push him knowing how Tommy had always gotten under Jack's skin since they were little. Father Mark knew the issues between the two boys had started about the time Tommy was about eighteen months old and only got worse with age. In their parents eyes, Tommy could never do wrong and Jack struggled to not incur their wrath no matter what he did. For Thomas and Charlotte, nothing was good enough for them when it came to Jack. Father Mark never understood it, because Jack always got good grades and brought home ribbons with his horses.

… … … …

Father Mark came up and helped Doug and Nathan finish setting up for some music. Doug started playing to take the attention off that Jack was still not up there. Doug and his sisters played a few songs at the request of their parents. Others had gotten snacks and drinks and gathered around where the instruments were set up or over at the table, which was not that far away.

Peter had planned to play a song with his father, but he was still gone, so he asked Father Mark to play the keyboard for him as he played the guitar. Peter had wanted to play "America the Beautiful" that he had spent most of the spring learning. Father Mark played the keyboard and Peter had his guitar. The girls even sat with him and sang along so he wasn't up there alone. Trish and James smiled at the consideration of their daughters.

That is how the next hour went. Various combinations of people played the songs that they wanted or that were requested by the older adults. Jack had come up about a half hour after the music started. No one made a big deal about him taking his time. Even Gran wasn't mad as she realized he was dealing with a lot. Jack joined the music and everyone was having fun, when Bill walked around the corner alone. Jack and Doug stopped playing mid song and looked up.

"He went into the house to lay down for a bit." Bill said.

"Is he alright?" James asked.

"He has a broken nose and ruptured blood vessel in his eye." Bill said. "He has to wear a patch and go back to see the eye doctor on Monday. Someone will need to drive him. He isn't cleared to drive yet."

"We will make sure that happens." Nathan said, quickly.

People nodded and understood that Nathan was pretty much volunteering to take him. Bill motioned for them to continue with the music. Jack and Doug restarted the song they had been playing. After grabbing a drink and relaxing for a few minutes, Bill joined in the music. Trish, Gran and Abigail brought out the other snacks as the afternoon wore on. There was plenty of food. Abigail had also brought up several kid friendly games as some of the children were getting restless. The adults had fun listening to the music, or conversing when they took a break. There were several groups spread out on the deck and that was fine. Cody had fallen asleep on one of the loungers, so he was covered with a towel as there was a light breeze.

At ten minutes to ten, the group moved their chairs or towels to the grass beyond the deck so that they could watch the fireworks be shot off. Jack had brought out the speaker so they could listen to the music that was going to play while the fireworks went off. Everyone seemed to enjoy the twenty minute show of fireworks, the finale completely lit up the sky when several dozen fireworks were shot off at once. After the fireworks, those that had come for the afternoon, gathered their children and headed out after thanking James, Margaret and John. Gran encouraged the Averys to get their children home as well.

Jack, Elizabeth and the group started to clean up the food. No one would let Frank help and encouraged him to relax. As much as he wanted to help, he also realized that he needed the rest as the meds he had been given had worn off and he was experiencing some pain. As soon as the food was put away, Gran said her goodnights and headed off to bed. James wasn't far behind. John headed up quickly as well. Trish and James helped to carry the tables and chairs downstairs before heading to bed. The girls quickly got ready for bed as well.

So it was Father Mark, Doug, Lee, and Frank who were sitting downstairs when Jack and Elizabeth wandered down after making sure everything upstairs was closed up.

"Where is Nathan?" Doug asked.

"On the phone with his sister, I think." Jack said. "On the phone anyway."

"Everything okay?" Father Mark asked.

"I think so." Jack said. "They were talking about fireworks and Allie."

"Oh, okay." Father Mark said. "I get the feeling that he is more concerned about his sister than he has let on. Gran called and had Devin send a guy over there since the ex or something was bothering her."

"I will ask him specifically about it then." Jack said. "Thanks for the heads up. Sorry if I haven't been on the ball the last few days."

"No need to be sorry." Doug said. "We get that you have been busy."

"Frank." Jack said. "Be honest with us. How are you doing?"

"Better since I took some meds." Frank said. "Not the worst I have been hurt, but it still isn't great. My nose will heal and they are optimistic about the eye. Once the blood clears it will be easier to know if there is any lasting damage. The patch is just to give my eye a rest. He said no driving or riding until he clears me. I am okay with that. He figured a few days and the blood would drain. He said it was almost like a bruise on the eye socket if that makes sense."

"It does actually." Lee said. "I had something like that when I was younger. I wore a patch for about four days and it was fine."

"What did you do?" Frank asked.

"Patrick, my brother and I were goofing around." Lee said. "This was a few months before he passed. We were tossing the ball around and I turned when someone called my name and he accidentally hit me in the side of the head with a football."

"That would do it." Frank said.

"So how old was Patrick when he passed?" Father Mark asked. "I know you have talked about him, but it has been a while. And if I remember, you were pretty close in age."

"He was ten days shy of his seventh birthday." Lee said. "Yes. We were just over ten months apart. My birthday is April nineteenth and his birthday was March first."

"Irish twins." Elizabeth said.

"Yes, we were called that." Lee said. "My mother hated that term, so don't ever say it around her. She got a lot of flack for having another child so quickly after me. But according to my father, they weren't trying, it just happened."

"Usually it does." Father Mark said.

"I get that." Doug said. "My two older siblings and I are all close in age as well."

"Personally." Frank said. "If I were to have kids, I would want them closer in age. My brother and I are over seven years apart and have very little in common."

"Do you have other siblings?" Elizabeth asked.

"I have three older sisters." Frank said. "They are five and three years older. It was Cathleen, then Mary and Sarah, me and my brother, Andrew, then three years after him came Anne."

"So quite spread out." Lee said.

"It wasn't planned like that." Frank said. "From what I understand, my mother had lost a couple between my sisters and I, then again after me. They had pretty much given up on having more kids when they learned about my brother. Anne was an even bigger surprise as my mom was close to forty when she was born."

"Not completely unheard of." Elizabeth said. "I had a girl that I danced with that when I saw her mom, I thought it was her grandmother because she had my friend in her late forties."

"Wow." Frank said. "I guess my family wasn't so bad."

"I can imagine it was hard having a brother so different in age." Jack said. "I mean Tommy and I are just two years and a world apart."

"Yeah." Doug said. "But a lot of that is your parents fault. I am not that close with my older siblings and we are close in age. I mean, I think it was better when we were younger, but as we got to be teenagers, we had different interests, now we live in three different states. I am much closer with Jack and Lee than I am with my own siblings."

"That is because you spend more time with us." Lee said.

"True." Doug said. "But we all have more in common as well."

"That is a good point." Lee said. "I like that we are close and I know that as we get older, we will need to be more intentional with maintaining our friendship, especially as girlfriends and spouses come along, but I really hope that we are always friends. I can't imagine my life without you. I was so lost after Patrick died, then I found you guys a few years later and it was like I was alive again."

"We are glad to have you." Jack said. "But you are right. We will need to work more on friendship as we get older and other things pull at our time, but if we commit to making it happen, it will. Look at Grandpa John and those guys who were here today. They have all been friends for over forty years. They might have met due to various business opportunities, but they have all maintained that friendship. They don't see each other as often as they want, but they make a point of trying to at least get together several times a year. I heard they are planning a golf trip down south in like November. We will just have to find things like that. Those guys are all bringing their wives and the kids will have sitters or whatever for the long weekend."

"Good for them." Frank said. "I was surprised that some of them had smaller children given that they were all about your Grandfather's age."

"The one with the younger children." Jack said. "I think that is his second marriage. I know that his wife is about fifteen years younger."

"I was wondering about that." Lee said. "I guess I never paid much attention to that before."

"Has your grandfather ever thought about remarrying?" Frank asked.

"I know that there have been women interested." Jack said. "But he has maintained that his one and only love was my grandmother and he just can't see himself with anyone else. It was bad when she died. I was young, so I don't remember a lot of the aftermath, but I remember him absolutely crying at the funeral."

"It was cancer wasn't it?" Doug said.

"Yes." Jack said. "Grandpa said that she went quickly, but in part he was glad she didn't suffer a long drawn out battle only to lose. As much as he wanted more time with her, he couldn't stand to see her in pain."

"I remember that funeral." Father Mark said. "I was an altar server for that Mass. It was the largest funeral I have ever seen. The Cathedral in Albany was standing room only."

"How old were you, Jack?" Frank asked.

"I was about seven when Grandma died." Jack said. "There were so many people because it was the height of Grandpa's career in the Senate. I know that the Senate adjourned for like three days because of the funeral. They delayed the vote on a few other things another few days to give Grandpa time."

"Yeah." Father Mark said. "I think he only missed like ten days total and we were all surprised that he went back to work so quickly, but like my dad had said, he probably needed something to focus on."

"Very true." Jack said. "I think it was only after Grandma passed, that he really threw himself into working all the time. It was his friends that forced him to take time off and then as I got more into horses, he would come to things for me."

"It is getting late." Doug said.

He saw that Jack was getting uncomfortable talking about his grandmother as he often did.

"Maybe we should call it a night." Doug said. "We have a busy few days and then the Sugar Creek show. I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to kick some Sugar Creek butt."

"Sounds good to me." Jack said.

The group said a quick goodnight prayer together and then they all headed off to bed. Jack walked Elizabeth to her room and stood there for a moment to let the other guys pass. Jack then knocked and when Elizabeth opened the door, he then pulled her into a hug and gave her a kiss.

"Thank you for pushing me to talk this afternoon." Jack said. "If I get like that again, which I probably will, just do it again."

"I will." Elizabeth said. "Have a good night and please get some sleep."

"I will." Jack said.

One more kiss and they parted ways for the night.

Elizabeth stood there and watched Jack walk to his room and close the door. She was still standing in her doorway when Nathan came down.

"Everything alright?" Nathan asked.

Elizabeth nodded her head and looked at Nathan.

"I am okay." Elizabeth said. "What about you? You look like you have been put through a wringer. Sorry, if I am blunt."

"No it is okay." Nathan said. "Just dealing with some family stuff."

"If you need to talk." Elizabeth said. "There are people willing to listen."

"I know." Nathan said. "Good night."

"Good night." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth went into her room as Nathan headed to the guys room. He didn't want to talk to anyone about what was going with his sister, because he was frustrated that she wouldn't listen. He also didn't want to have to explain other things. Then he thought about maybe talking to Father Mark again.