And love
Chapter 93 Career choices
A/N: Checkpoint. Man, this has gotten complicated! Let's start with a review of the game board, shall we?
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ON THE ISLAND
Jamie & Eddie, very happily married. With: Cassandra, Malina and Mary Rose, daughters. Patrick Henry (Pat) and Alexander Jonathon (AJ) – twin sons. 5 kids!
AND Nicky Reagan-Boyle – Jamie's 21 y/o niece living with them. She is re-evaluating her career choices.
PLUS 3 horses and 1 donkey! (Hero, Betsy, Maddie & Joseph-donkey)
Jamie, an NYPD Lieutenant is in charge of a newly created Major Crimes Unit – MCU.
Eddie a wife, mother and paralegal! FULL PLATE!
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MANHATTAN APARTMENT
Erin Reagan & Jack Boyle. In the final planning stages of getting remarried. Erin a Manhattan ADA; Jack a personal defense attorney. Both lawyers, obviously.
Parents of Nicky Reagan-Boyle. Nicky has completed 2 years at Columbia University; she is 21 y/o. See above.
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BAY RIDGE, BROOKLYN
Francis (Frank) Reagan and his father Henry (Pops) Reagan live in the ancestral family home. They have traditionally hosted Sunday family dinners. With a large limb of the family tree ON THE ISLAND, this tradition is cracking.
Frank is the current NYPD PC. Henry is an ex-NYPD PC.
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STATEN ISLAND HOME
Danny & Linda Reagan; with sons Jack and Sean.
Danny is a partially disabled NYPD detective (left elbow, drunk driver); now working as a training officer for rookie detectives. This has brought him out of a deep funk. While dabbling in PI work, he caught a huge windfall case – worth $1,200,000.
Linda is an ER RN at St. Victor's hospital.
Jack is entering his HS senior year.
Sean is entering his HS sophomore year.
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QUEENS APARTMENT
Paula and Joe Hill. Paula was Joseph (Frank & Mary's 3rd child) Reagan's sometime girlfriend while attending the NYPD police academy together. Joe Hill (Paula/Joseph) was UNKN to the family until just recently. Joe has now become an NYPD detective.
Paula is an ICU RN at St. Victor's hospital; and a colleague, and friend of Linda Reagan's. Paula & Linda coordinate coffee breaks or suppers when they can.
Jamie & Eddie are the one part of the family trying hardest to maintain a 'family' relationship with Paula & Joe.
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This story centers on Jamie, Eddie and their family. Other Reagan family members play supporting roles from time to time.
Nicky, now that she is living ON THE ISLAND, will be more prominent – from time to time. That phrase is over used, I think.
Now – back to our story.
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ON THE ISLAND HOME OFFICE
"Aunt Eddie, do you mind if I watch you work for a while," Nicky asks.
"Sure, that's ok. In fact, you can be my go-fur!" They both chuckle at that.
Nicky has joined the LI crew, having had some indecision regarding her career path. She has completed 2 years at CU, on a business career track. She became disillusioned with that direction; and recent discussions with Jamie and Eddie re a possible nanny position with them led to her moving in. She has heard Jamie and Eddie discussing legal things, including Eddie's work, and has become intrigued.
After working for 20", talking out loud about what she is doing for Nicky's benefit, Eddie asks "Can you bring me a glass of lemonade from the fridge, please? Yourself too, if you'd like."
"Yup, on it," Nicky remarks.
While Nick is gone Eddie gets out of her chair and starts to do some calisthenics. Nick comes back in the middle of a jumping jack routine. She sets the 2 tall glasses down and joins right in.
"You do this often?" Nick asks, starting to pant.
"Every hour, on the hour for 5". Otherwise, I get 1) a severe case of TB, and 2) WAY OUT OF SHAPE! Believe you me!" Eddie is also panting a little. "Your uncle wouldn't appreciate that!" Wink, wink, laugh.
"Oh, I believe it! You set an alarm, or something?"
Eddie raises her smart phone.
"Smart!" Nick expresses.
"Yup." Giggle.
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ST. BRIDGET'S SCHOOL
Cassie and Eli are eating lunch with 4 other friends.
"Eli, how is your brother doing," one of the boys asks. Eli's friends all know about Ibrahim's GSW.
"A lot better. But he is worried about being able to still be a deputy."
"My sisters and I have been praying for him, Eli," Cassie puts in.
"Who do you pray to," Eli asks. "I'm sorry I shouldn't-
"No, that's ok. We pray to Issa for your brother." Cassie replies.
"Issa? Who is that?" One of the girls asks, with a puzzled look.
Eli and Cassie look at each other.
Cassie responds first, "Issa is the Muslim name for Jesus. My sisters and I try to be respectful of all faiths."
Cassie shrugs.
"Oh, really?" The girl says. A surprised look on her face.
"Yes," Eli adds. He looks kindly at his friend Cassie. "Thank you, Cass, and your sisters."
"You're welcome," Cassie replies, looking down with a faint blush.
After the others head to the soiled tray line, Cassie and
Eli are last at the table. They look around and see no one watching. They stand and Eli reaches a hand, grasps one of Cassie's and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you for praying for Ibrahim. That means a lot to me, Cass."
"You are welcome, Eli," Cassie responds. With another slight blush. They head to dispose of their trays.
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IN THE BARN
Mary Rose and Mal are doing chores, taking care of the animals. With her love of animals, Mary Rose is always on chore duty. She loves it, really. Her sisters, and occasionally mom or dad, take turns helping her.
"Are you serious about sleeping out here sis?" Mal inquires.
"Yeah, it would be so cool! Don't you think?" Mary Rose cannot see a downside.
"Well, I would miss our prayer circle; our time together getting up in the morning or getting ready for bed; our chit chat at night. Wouldn't you? We'd miss you, sissy!"
Mary Rose pauses, leaning on the short pitchfork* she was using to muck out Maddie's stall. "I hadn't thought of all that. I'm sure that before mom and dad approve of my idea, we will have a talk. More than one probably, with you and Cass included. I think we can work something out. I hope so."
"I do too! I love you, Mary Rose."
"Love you too, Mal! "
Back to work, taking care of their loved animals.
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ST. BRIDGETS PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
"Sheriff, thanks for coming." Father Abram welcomes sheriff Abdul.
"Certainly, what do you have for me?" The sheriff frowns.
"Two days ago, at the conclusion of lunch, your son Eli held Cassandra Reagan's hand for just a moment. One of my cafeteria staff observed it. I am reporting to you, as you asked."
"What was the situation?"
"The listening devices you provided us picked up their conversation. The kids were talking about Ibrahim-
"They know of his condition?" Sheriff Abdul is angry.
"Yes, it's common knowledge I'm afraid. Cassandra mentioned that she and her sisters were praying for Ibrahim; in a prayer circle she said."
"Yes? That's interesting."
"I suppose. She said they were praying to Issa – and explained that Issa was a Muslim name for Jesus. Is that so?"
Sheriff Abdul is taken aback that Father Abram doesn't know that. He maintains his poker face. "Yes, that is correct." Mohammed Abdul remembers Jameson praying with him at the hospital. Jamie had also prayed to Issa. 'That is a very respectful family'.
"Father, would you remove all those devices, please? I will stop by next Monday and pick them up."
"Are you sure? Do you have all the information you need?"
"Yes I do, and I'm sure. Will you do as I ask?"
"Certainly."
They shake hands and the sheriff leaves.
What is his next move? What is he trying to accomplish?
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TBC
You may think these chores are too much for Mary Rose. But with her love of animals, proper tools purchased or fashioned, and the willing support of her family – she gets the job done.