Chapter 266 – Frank and Father Mark I
"Can we talk here for a moment." Frank asked.
"Sure." Father Mark said.
"I have a question about Jack." Frank said. "If you can't tell me, I will understand. I have only known him a few months, but he seems very different then he was at the retreat in March."
"He is very different than he was in March." Father Mark said. "A lot has happened since then and there have been so many changes in his life. Jack has always been mature for his age and well above others in intelligence, but he seems to have matured even more overnight. If I didn't know that he was eighteen, there are times I would think he was in his mid-thirties. Then again at times when he is with Doug and even Lee, I still see that little kid in him that used to follow me around asking me a million questions."
"I can see that." Frank said. "I was just concerned because he is moving so fast with Elizabeth. Not only that, the young man that I had met back in March had sworn off competitive jumping and had no interest in being with a young lady."
"No, I agree." Father Mark said. "I had my own worries about Jack and Elizabeth. But they have answered all my questions and done everything that I have asked of them. They were better able to explain their connection to me. It is also why I have insisted on at least two sessions individually with a counselor. If their counselor deems more are needed, then they have to abide by it or I won't marry them and they both know it.
Also so you know, Jack has never really been into dating. He did escort a young lady to various functions because it was easier then constantly fighting with his mother. He never loved her and never saw her as more then a causal date to events. I know that Charlotte thought it was more and was pushing for Jack to make a commitment to her, but he told me that he never loved her and never even considered a future with her. He honestly told me that had never considered a future with any woman until he saw Elizabeth."
"Good to know." Frank said. "I know that the counselors were here, but I wasn't sure if it was a one time thing or not. Just listening to them, I realized they had both been through a lot and weren't necessarily working through things. The other thing that I was worried about was getting them to talk about the hard things, especially after what happened in Toronto. Good to know about the dating. From what I gathered, none of the three of them dated much if at all."
"What happened?" Father Mark asked. "They just said that there was a heated conversation. They haven't said much more then that, but assured me they were working on it."
"I don't know what started it." Frank said. "But when Doug, Nathan and I got back to the suite, they were yelling at each other. We separated them and tried to talk about things. From what I gathered, Elizabeth was upset because Jack told her that she can't use birth control after they are married."
"Got it." Father Mark said. "I think they have worked through that. I think that Caitlin helped as she talked to Elizabeth about it. Caitlin took religion out of the equation and explained the dangers of long term birth control usage. I also think it was more about choices and being told what to do. From what I have gathered, her parents were pretty strict and dictated a lot of things that she could and couldn't do. I have encouraged her to speak up and stand up for herself."
"She definitely did that with Rosemary." Frank said. "I will continue to pray for them and let me know if there is anything that I can do to help."
"I will." Father Mark said. "Thank you for caring enough to ask. I have known Jack all his life and I have been a part of pretty much every major life event. I mean it hit me this afternoon as we were sitting at the show that when I perform his wedding in just over a month, I will have been a part of Jack receiving all six sacraments that he would be able to receive."
"What do you mean?" Frank said.
"You know that there are seven sacraments, right?" Father Mark asked.
"Yes." Frank said. "Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony."
"Right." Father Mark said. "Most men only receive six of the seven. There are a few married priests, but it is rare and they were a pastor in another religion before converting to Catholicism and even then it is rare to get the waiver to attend seminary.
Anyway, I was an altar server at Jack's baptism. I was an acolyte when he received his First Communion. I con-celebrated the Mass with the Archbishop at his Confirmation. I have heard his confession and gave him the anointing of the sick when he was sick two years ago. So when I do the wedding, that will be all six."
"Wow." Frank said. "Does he realize that?"
"I don't know." Father Mark said. "We were talking about something else and it just came to me. I didn't even realize it until earlier today. It is huge especially given our age difference is just over twelve years. Not many priests are that involved with their family in that way. I mean other than Jack, I haven't really been involved in the sacraments of other family members. I might have been an altar server for Laura's baptism. I don't remember the First Communion of any of my siblings. I know they received it, but I don't recall the specific day. Same thing with their Confirmation. Now, ask me about my First Communion and Confirmation and I can tell you every detail of the day. I also have never heard any of my siblings confession and the only one that I have given the Anointing of the Sick to was Laura. I don't specifically remember anything for Tommy or Conrad's two, Timothy and Melissa."
"I think that says more about your bond with Jack." Frank said. "Don't feel bad, it is something special that you and Jack share and I hope that there are many more sacraments that you can be a part of for his family for years to come."
"Me too." Father Mark said.
"I guess we should go in." Frank said.
"Yes." Father Mark said. "But we will talk more. I look forward to spending time with you, especially after Jack and them head back to the city in August."
"You can count on it." Frank said. "Especially since I have a feeling that Gran is not going to let me just hide away on the new property."
"You can guarantee that." Father Mark said with a laugh.
Frank just shook his head.
… … … …
Gran and Trish got everything ready for snacks. They made coffee and got the chilled lemonade and some bottles of cider, including the sparkling pear and the apple/cherry from the orchard in Albany. They also got a platter of fruit and one of cookies and bars set out. Trish told Gran to have a seat while she finished up. Everyone took a seat at the table as they came up. Trish got a tray made up for John, Peter and Andrew.
"Lee." Trish said. "Please take this to John in the office. He is there with Peter and Andrew."
"Okay." Lee said.
He got up and took the tray from Trish. Father Mark and Frank walked in shortly after Lee took the tray to the office.
"Everything okay?" Gran asked.
"We were just talking?" Frank said.
Gran raised an eyebrow and looked at the two.
"It is fine, Gran." Father Mark said. "Frank knows what happened and we were talking. I will tell you what I am going to tell the others, I honestly don't want to talk about it. I am working on processing what happened."
"Okay." Gran said. "But I still might ask how you are doing because I worry."
"That is okay." Father Mark said. "I just don't want to have to share the details with everyone."
"Understood." Gran said. "From the little that I know, it didn't sound good, but you know we are here for you."
"Thank you for understanding." Father Mark said. "And yes, I know."
He pulled his Roman collar off and put it in his pocket and took a seat. Frank went and washed up and also took a seat. He wanted to check how his eye looked and splash some water on it. He didn't realize how dry his eye would be with the patch.
It took about twenty-five minutes after Father Mark sat down for everyone minus James, John, Peter and Andrew to sit down around the table.
"Can we talk about the plan for tonight and the coming week?" Gran said. "I know that we are going to be busy with the show next weekend."
"Before that." Father Mark said. "Can I say something?"
"Go ahead." Gran said.
"First." Father Mark said. "I want to assure everyone that I am okay. I have spoken to John and he is helping me with things. I have also spoken to Frank and Nathan, but I honestly don't want to share the details with everyone else. I witnessed the aftermath of a horrible crime yesterday where the young woman has since passed away. I am dealing with things and processing what I saw. John is helping me with the legal side of things, even though I did nothing wrong. Like Frank said just because I have a lawyer it doesn't mean that I did anything wrong, but that I have a right to protect myself. I have also spoken to the Bishop and he agreed that it was a good thing that I am on leave and if I need anything to reach out to him and he will help."
"Thank you for telling us." Jack said.
"Anything else about that?" Gran asked.
People shook their heads.
"Then let's talk about tonight, tomorrow and the rest of the week." Gran said. "I also want to extend congratulations to Nathan, JP and Doug on their ribbons. Nathan, since you took first, is there something special that you want this week? A certain main dish or dessert? Even somewhere out to eat."
"Let me think for a bit." Nathan said.
"Just let me know." Gran said.
"As far as tomorrow." Father Mark said. "I have the option of doing Mass here at the house or we can go in. If you want me to do Mass here, I will need to make a quick trip back into town."
"I will speak to James and John." Gran said. "And we will make a decision at supper."
"Sounds like a plan." Father Mark said.
"I would like to sit with Elizabeth and do a few more lessons on our marriage prep." Jack said.
"Sounds good." Elizabeth said.
"I am owed ten minutes on the piano by some of you." Trish said.
"We will." Maddie said.
Jack and Doug just ducked their heads. Even though Doug had formally quit taking lessons, he still had to play ten minutes a day when he was at home or with his mother and had access to a piano. He didn't mind, but he didn't want to take formal lessons because he knew it wasn't something he would use beyond playing for friends and occasionally at Church.
"What do people want to do tomorrow after Church?" Gran asked. "Whether we stay here or go into town."
"I want to get some work in with the horses." Nathan said.
"I want to ride as well." Maddie said.
"Me too." Missy said. "We need to work more with Bubbles and Squeak if we want to do well in the show."
"Okay." Gran said. "You guys can ride in the afternoon. What do people want to do for lunch and supper?"
Nathan leaned over and whispered something to Father Mark.
"What are you talking about?" Gran asked.
"Nathan." Father Mark said.
Nathan turned red and ducked his head.
"He wants to go out for a meal." Father Mark said. "He said, he doesn't get to do it much and he was looking at all the nice restaurants around here."
"Then how about this?" Gran said. "We will have a home Mass here, a light lunch and then you guys can get your riding in. I will call and see if we can get a table somewhere. Nathan, what are your top two or three and don't worry about the price."
"Morton's, Horseshoe Inn and 15 Church." Nathan said.
Doug and Jack nodded as Nathan said his choices. They knew that all were good food and would do what they could to accommodate them. Jack was leaning toward Morton's but wasn't going to say anything.
"I will call and see what we can do." Gran said. "So we will plan on going out for supper tomorrow night."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"You are welcome." Gran said. "Please don't be afraid to ask for something. We know that our lifestyle is very different from what you grew up with, so please talk to me or James. We want you to feel at home and if there is something that you want, please ask. We don't go out a lot, just because we find it easier to stay home, especially now, but I asked you what you wanted and we will honor that."
Nathan nodded and took a deep breath before he spoke because of his emotions.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I still feel bad about asking. I am used to making do and fending for myself."
"Well." Gran said. "Since JP has apparently made you part of the family I will fuss over you like I do him, Doug and Lee."
Nathan smiled. He hadn't had someone fuss over him in a long time and actually quite liked it.
"So the tentative plan for tomorrow is going to be Mass at home." Gran said. "A light lunch and working with the horses, then going out for supper."
"Nathan." Jack said. "When are your friends coming up from Pennsylvania?"
"They will be here by noon on Thursday." Nathan said.
"Then I am going to insist that you spend some time with them on Thursday night." Jack said. "Whether it is here or if you guys want to go out somewhere. Either way, please let us know. If you want to hangout here, we will need to figure out something to feed them."
"I will send a message and let you all know the plan." Nathan said.
"There are several things that I can help make that are easy and feed a crowd." Frank said. "Just let me know and we can work on getting the ingredients. Don't forget that I have an appointment at eleven Monday with the ophthalmologist.
"We can deal with that." Gran said. "Nathan, are you still taking him?"
"If I can." Nathan said.
"If not, I can." Father Mark said.
"Actually." Nathan said. "That might work out better. That way I don't have to rush riding or working out."
"Then that is what we will do." Frank said.
"How is your eye, by the way?" Gran asked.
"Better." Frank said. "When I take the patch off to put drops in or splash water on my face, I can see light and shadows. Things are still blurry, but it is an improvement."
"Good." Gran said.
Gran looked around the table.
"What else is going on this week?" Gran asked.
"We have a meeting with the counselors on Wednesday." Elizabeth said.
"I need to head into town right away Wednesday morning as well." Father Mark said.
"We will need to contact Quad City Graphics about the certificates." Elizabeth said. "He said if we email him Wednesday evening. He will run them right away on Thursday."
"I got an email that the banners will be here on Wednesday." Jack said.
"Is the plan to move all the horses on Thursday evening?" Nathan asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "By the time we are done on Thursday, we need to have all the gates and poles out of storage and set up on racks near the arena. All extra horses out of the stalls and the stalls cleaned. We also will need to clear and lock the feed and tack rooms in both arenas. I will make sure you all have a card for the doors. Elizabeth, your thumbprint should work as well. We will need to make sure doors stay closed, the staff have already been spoken to."
"Who is jumping when?" Maddie asked.
"Advanced will jump Friday starting at four." Lee said. "Gates will open at 2:30, but competitors can arrive as early as noon. Same with vendors. On Saturday, the gates will open at eight. Vendors will be allowed to leave their booth set up if covered with a tent. Since we have twenty-four hour security and the gates will otherwise be closed Chris said it would be nice to let them leave them up. Andrew put a clause in the contract that we are not responsible for items left overnight or unattended."
"Very good." Gran said. "Go through Saturday and Sunday. Don't forget to get everyone a master schedule."
"Yes." Lee said. "On Saturday we will start with the Beginners at nine thirty. Novice will start about eleven with training starting about one and modified about three thirty. Preliminary and Intermediate will both jump on Sunday starting at one."
"Manny told me that the staff is hosting a bonfire and dance on Saturday evening." Frank said. "It will be announced and shared at the show. It is open to everyone and it will be an alcohol free event. There will be water, soda and large coolers of lemonade and limited parking."
"Where is that going to be?" Gran asked.
"That is going to be on the property across the road." Jack said. "He originally wanted to do it at the site by the retirement center, but Devin and Chris nixed that, they said it would be too hard to control people and keep them from sneaking off. Since Conrad owns the land across the road, it works. Not only is it a separate property, but it is also more open. We can take a side by side over. Ed, Marcus and Manny have advised staff to park on property here and walk across. Only those with equipment are being told to park over there. They are setting up the stage over there and the floating dance floor. Manny will be in charge of the bonfire. They are going to open it up for anyone to share their musical talents, but Connie is having her boyfriend set up his DJ equipment as well. I approved the use of a generator over there."
"I have it on the master schedule with the official event being listed from seven to eleven pm." Lee said. "So Nathan, be sure to let your friends know. I know that the staff have spread the word to locals that they can come out for it and it will be family friendly."
"Do you guys plan on going over?" Gran asked.
"At least for a while." Jack said. "I know, we will need to be careful and stick together."
"As long as we are clear." Gran said.
Just then Peter and Andrew came out.