And love
Chap 40 Learning & dodging
J/E APARTMENT, SUNDAY MORNING
Jamie, Eddie and their daughters are back from the 7:30 Mass. As they rush around getting breakfast fixings to the table Mal speaks up.
"You know that the only way you got us to church this early is with a bribe? Don't you, hm?" She looks pointedly at her father.
"Worked, didn't it?" He stares right back.
"Hmpf," she goes back to her part of the breakfast prep.
Eddie is doing her best to hide a giant smile.
When they are started eating Mary Rose pipes up; "And where are we going exactly?"
"Saddle Rock Ranch," mom replies.
"And where is that, exactly?" The youngest continues.
"Middle Island, New York." Dad's turn.
"Which Island?" Cassie joins the party, squashing a giggle.
Jamie & Eddie look at each other, exasperated.
"Ok, we've been over this before. Listen up," Jamie huffs. "We are going for our first riding lesson, at Saddle Rock Ranch. It is out on Long Island a way. If you want to know exactly," he looks at Mary Rose, "check it out on Google Earth."
Each girl reaches for her smart phone – "after breakfast, please!" Eddie quickly reminds them. The girls have been given phones at the recent BIG birthday party. Jamie and Eddie were cautious about Mary Rose, but they wanted to nip sibling rivalry in the bud. Might as well get her started early with the learning curve about phone etiquette and family rules.
They all pout, put the phones down and go back to eating.
After breakfast, including cleanup, there were a few minutes before departure. The girls each pulled up Google Earth and found their destination.
"That's a long way," Mal declares. "How long will it take?"
"About 2 and hours," dad tells them.
"Oh," Mal is bored already.
Cassie looks thoughtful then bursts out, "Wow! We will have time to watch a whole movie!"
The parents smile at each other.
Each girl shouts out a different movie title!
"Hey now," Eddie blows her whistle. "Time out! Does anyone remember whose turn it is to choose?"
"I think it is Mal's turn," Cassie admits.
Eddie gets out her phone and checks her notepad. "Yes, Mal gets to choose today. What is your choice?" She looks at her middle daughter.
"ALADDIN!" She definitely declares.
"Good choice," mom opines. Her sisters agree, that's a good start.
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ST. VICTOR'S CAFETERIA
Linda and Paula are meeting for lunch. They are working swing again, and agreed to come in early to meet and catch up.
"How is Danny doing, Linda? Joe has heard a rumor that he is about to come back on desk duty. Is that true?"
"Well, that depends on who you ask. Danny would say yes. I am doubtful; what I hear from Frank at dinner is up in the air. Though he really doesn't commit. As you'd expect."
"Is Danny really set on it, though?"
"I'm afraid so. If that doesn't happen soon, I'm afraid for his psyche!"
"Yeah, I am praying for you two, by the way."
"Thanks so much. I need to tell you something," as she sips her iced tea. "Erin was over to have lunch with Danny the other day. She tried to enlist his help in getting to the bottom of the Jamie & Eddie affair, as she calls it; and the Paula & Joe affair from the NYPD academy all those years ago."
Paula frowns. "Maybe I shouldn't have moved here," she puts her fork down and lets out a big sigh.
Linda stretches her hand across the table and grasps one of Paula's. "Sweetie, don't think like that. Danny said no. He said that he has enough on his plate right now."
"And when he's back to work?"
"Let's cross that bridge when we come to it." Linda offers her a smile; it feels like not enough.
Before she clocks in Linda sends a TXT to E & J:
L: trouble w Erin. J/E & J/P, wants answers! Danny refused 2 help her.
J: dinner?
E: YES
L: K, I will check w P and let you know.
LATER
Linda and Paula meet for a quick coffee.
"Jamie, Eddie and I should liketo meet for dinner and talk. Can you and Joe join us?"
"We were going to meet for brunch this Saturday. Can we do it then?" She is distressed over this. Linda can see the worry lines. Losing her friend and co-worker over something like this, seems a travesty, Linda thinks.
"Let me TXT Jamie quick."
L: Brunch Sat?
J: K
L: good, 9:30?
J" k, where?
L: will TXT
J: k
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SATURDAY PERKIN'S PANCAKES
Mom and dad have prepped the girls. They will be talking about a sensitive family matter. The adults are ok with them at the table; but they must not to tell ANYTHING they hear to anyone. The girls understand and agree. Jamie and Eddie are somewhat concerned; the family contains some hardnosed, highly persuasive people.
"Will this ever go away," Joe poses.
"I really don't know," Jamie admits.
"I see the rest of the family moving past it; except Erin, and sometimes Danny." Eddie adds her 2 cents.
All the adults look to Linda. "When Erin came with lunch, she tried to enlist his help. He declined, but I'm afraid only because he is concentrating on getting back to work."
"And after he achieves that?" Paula inserts.
"Someone needs to grab them by the nape of the neck, and lay down the law!" Joe snorts. "I can do that!"
Jamie raises a limp hand, "No, of this group that would be me. I've thought about it, and know what to do. But I need you all behind me. Here is what I propose."
Jamie lays out his plan; all hands raise in support.
They raise a toast to FAMILY PEACE & UNITY! That's what they all sincerely desire.
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NEXT SUNDAY DINNER
Danny and the boys are present, Linda is at work; Jamie's family is tardy. Frank does as Jamie requested, he sends his youngest a TXT just as DINNER is called.
Everyone takes their place and sits. Jamie enters and stands behind his place setting, his hands on his chair back.
"Are you joining us, son?" His dad asks.
"No, dad. I just have something to say in behalf of myself and everyone who isn't here – I mean Linda, Eddie, our girls, Paula and Joe Hill. We consider Paula and Joe family."
"I will speak for my wife, thank you very much!" Danny spouts.
"Linda has given me permission to speak for her on this topic." Jamie declares.
Danny folds his arms across his chest and huffs.
"Why Paula and Joe Hill?" Pops wonders.
"If this group was willing to listen to Paula's story without passing judgment, you would know. Anyway, because of continuing conflict, judgement and relentless digging for facts that are none of your business . . . myself and those I mentioned will not be attending these Sunday dinners. Until we can be assured that the mentioned behavior will cease, and ALL family will be welcomed, respected and treated with familial love."
At that Jamie turns over his plate, moves his char up snug to the table, turns around and walks out.
After several moments of silence, Erin speaks. "He can't mean that!" She looks like she is about to shed tears.
"It looked like he did," Frank voices.
"We'll see about that!" Danny snorts.
Dinner is somber.
Frank is worried; Pops is disgusted.
Jamie leaves downcast. When he arrives home, he collapses on the couch; all his girls gather round and give him hugs of love. He can always depend on his girls!
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TBC
How did the 1st riding lesson go? Did Eddie run into an opportunity? Way out on Long Island?