And love
Chap 36 The car problem
A/N: Thanks to skyross19 for calling my attention to a messed-up timeline in chapters 36 & 37. This chapter and 37 are now newly written to make more sense. If you previously read these chapters, you should read them again. The events are much the same – the timeline makes more sense. Thanks to skyross19 and all my readers!
BROOKLYN
Linda is pulling her hair out. Her only sane, semi-normal days are when she is working at St. Victor's hospital. Fortunately for her, work days are even better now; at least when she and Paula Hill are on the same shift. Linda in the ER and Paula in the ICU. They can, and often do coordinate meal breaks. Today is one of those better days.
Linda looks ahead and sees Paula already in the supper line in the cafeteria. She scoots ahead, ignoring stares, and tucks in behind her new friend.
"Thanks for saving me a place in line," she mutters.
"No problem, glad you made it. I was getting worried, hon." Paula mutters right back.
"Watch out for that Italian loaf up ahead. It's the leftover proteins from the last 3 days, ground up and covered with tomato sauce. Heartburn city!"
"Oh, thanks!" Both ladies snicker. A server caught that and glares. They ignore the look.
They elect their meal, find a secluded table and sit together.
"It's really nice to have a friend to eat with," Paula voices.
"'ll say," Linda returns. "How are you settling in up in the ICU?"
"Very well. Thanks for introducing me to some staff, that really helped," Paula smiles.
"No problem. Glad to do it." Linda takes a sip of her iced tea and sighs.
"How is Danny's elbow coming along?"
"Good, but we've hit a snag."
"Oh, no. What's up?" Paula grimaces.
"Danny wants to change surgeons. Says he wants to be here, where I work when he has his 2nd surgery."
"Any other reason?" Paula inquires.
"Nope. Dr. Abrams at Bellevue is as good as there is in the city. I'm trying to convince him not to change horses in the middle of the stream, you know what I mean?"
Linda asks.
"I do know. That can lead to problems; a new doctor's treatment plan may differ slightly. And the result may be off by even a millimeter. And in a complicated joint, that can be the difference between 100% functionality and something less." Paula opines.
"Can you come talk with Danny sometime?" Linda requests, hopefully.
"I'm not so sure that is a good idea. Me, his brother Joe, my son Joe – you get my drift?" Paula grimaces, and pops a FF into her mouth.
Linda sighs in resignation. "I do get it. Even though he might receive some good advice, his negativity will prevent him from listening. Damnit!" She whispers at the end.
"Listen, if things change, I'd be happy to come over and share my knowledge and experience. Freebie!"
They both chuckle, and finish eating in mostly silence.
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SUNDAY DINNER, BAY RIDGE
All are excited; it will be Danny's 1st dinner in 5 weeks. 1 week at Bellevue and 4 at Hillcrest rehab. Everyone but Danny himself. He knows that word has gotten around about his desire to change doctors. He expects to catch hell; he is ready to defend himself. He and his family arrive just before Pops calls DINNER.
Nicky and Jack had done rock, paper, scissors. Jack had won, so he and Sean were at the main table in the DR. In the kitchen were Nicky with Cassie, Mal & Mary Rose. Lots of chit chat and giggles!
Seated in the DR are Frank/Henry; Erin; Jamie & Eddie; Danny & Linda with Jack and Sean. 9 people! Some, not all, notice the absence of Paula & Joe Hill. Eddie and Linda had conferred with Paula and decided amongst themselves that this day would not be a good time to test their strategy regarding Paula & Joe's story. Those in the know all agreed.
Frank asked for a volunteer to say grace- – all of the Jamko girls' hands shot up in the kitchen; and they shouted, "ME!". Frank asked the trio to recite in unison, they did so, loudly and all heard. Followed by a chorus of hearty amens! Dinner conversation was free flowing, but non-controversial. Everyone had decided, apparently, to be civil. Maybe Paula and Joe could have attended, and snuck in under the radar. Oh well, there is always next time. There are, after all, 52 of these per year.
Danny's desire to change hospitals, and thus surgeons, did come up. And though there were some frowns, no one vigorously objected. Maybe it was a good thing that Paula wasn't here. Linda was afraid that her new friend wouldn't have been able to resist educating Danny. That would have created fireworks! And they really didn't need that.
Cassandra was a prime topic of talk. She was shy, but Mary Rose made up for that. The 3 girls were pleased as punch to be together, and a part of such a large, loving family. Cassie could hardly believe her good fortune. The day she stowed-away has turned out to be the start of the rest of her life. A start of a new, good life!
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FLASHBACK, 7 WEEKS PRIOR
It is one week after the adoption proceedings for Cassie were completed successfully. Jamie and Eddie
Reagan now have 3 daughters. This has caused a problem, a good problem as difficulties is concerned.
Jamie had just finished his bedtime routine and joined Eddie in bed. He lay on his back, Eddie on his right side. She rested with her cheek on his chest; his right arm tightly squeezing her waist; her right arm across his tummy.
"Eddie?"
"Yes?"
"We really don't have a car that will carry the 5 of us." Jamie points out the obvious.
"The Mustang is tight. Right, sport?" Eddie is amused.
"Exactly. Those 3 girls barely fit! What are we gonna do?" Jamie is afraid he knows her answer.
"Are you eyeing my baby, Mr. Reagan?" Suspicion reigns.
"Yes, but only in terms of it being a keeper." He relents, silently. He doesn't want a fight; he loves her baby too.
"Maybe we should sell both your Mustang and my Porsche; and get 2 'family' cars?" She really doesn't want to do that.
"Are you ok with that strategy, babe?" He raises an eyebrow.
"I don't like it; but maybe we both should turn over a new leaf and start over at the same time?" She is trying very hard to be a good trooper here.
"Let's sleep on it," he's getting very sleepy.
"OK, 1-4-3 always & forever." She snuggles closer.
"1-4-3 back at ya! Nite."
"Nite."
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CONTINUED FLASHBACK
BREAKFAST THE NEXT MORNING
After getting the girls settled and eating, Jamie starts the talk.
"Ed, have you made any progress thinking about cars?"
"Yes; I know what I want to do. And I know what we need to do. The two options do not match. You?"
"Pretty much the same. So, do we need to sleep on it another night, or two, or more?"
The girls have been listening, of course. Cassie frowns and asks, "What are you sleeping on?"
Eddie speaks up, "We don't have a family friendly car, and we're discussing what to do."
Cassie looks amazed! "Well, my dad just shouts at mom, telling her what he decided."
Jamie and Eddie look at each other. He speaks, "We don't do that, well rarely. We try really hard to compromise amicably. So, let me ask you girls this; which car should we keep – the Mustang or the Porsche? And get 1 family car? Or, should we exchange both for 2 family cars?"
Cassie begins to cry. Her new sisters each grasp an arm and squeeze. "What's wrong?" Mary Rose asks.
"I never dreamed that a family could treat each other like this!" Her tears slow.
"Welcome to our family," Mal whispers in Cassie's ear.
Eddie smiles at her hubby, leans over and gives him a big, sloppy kiss!
"Ewww!"
"Yuck!"
"Not while I'm eating!"
FAMILY CIRCLE – LR
"Well, girls, we need to make a decision." Jamie opens the conversation. The 5 of them are comfortably seated in the living room. Jamie and Eddie close together on a love seat, of course; the girls scattered around on a favorite cushion, on the floor.
"You mean the cars?" Mal surmises.
"Yup," Eddie admits. "Which of our current cars do we trade in?"
"NEITHER!" The girls are unanimous.
Their parents look at each other and shrug – a 'what are you gonna do' look. Eddie speaks, "We can't afford to keep our cherished cars, AND get 1 or 2 family cars."
To no surprise to Eddie, Jamie bites the bullet. "Babe, I know without a doubt, the Porsche means much more to you-
"Jamie-
"No listen, sweetheart; you know it's true-
"But, ah, I don't know what to say." Eddie hides her face with her hands. She is starting to shed tears also.
Jamie moves to embrace her, kissing the top of her head. "There is one caveat though."
She slips back, "And that is?" She raises an eyebrow; she knows what it is.
"I get to drive your baby, occasionally."
She only needs a moment, "Yes, of course. 1-4-3!"
"1-4-3," They seal it with a kiss.
"Girls, shall we go car shopping?" Jamie questions.
"YES!" Another unanimous shout.
Eddie smiles, 'well, this is going to be very interesting'!
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TBC
Car shopping, next time.