And love
Chapter 95 Out of touch?
ON THE ISLAND – HOME OFFICE
"Aunt Eddie, this is really intriguing." Nicky declares. She has been watching her aunt work for 30".
"This paralegal stuff?" Eddie muses. "Has your career search found a home?"
"Maybe. If so, how do I proceed?"
"Well, let's talk about that later. Tonight?" Eddie suggests.
"That's good for me." Nicky seems relieved. "After supper, in the family room?"
"Yes." She will be glad if she can help Nick work through her career conundrum. She certainly likes her paralegal work.
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BAY RIDGE – SUPPER
Erin slips in the back door to join her father & grandpa for supper and a talk. She is quite concerned for her daughter. "Dad, Pops, I'm here. Something smells great!"
"Beef stew on the range, Erin," Pops proclaims. "Can you set the table, please?"
"On it, just the 3 of us?"
"Unless we attract a party crasher or two."
Erin starts to set the table, Pops shows up, stirs and tastes the stew. "Hm, just right. Bowls?"
"Yup, these ok?" Erin holds one up.
"Perfect. Can you slice some French Batard also?"
"Yes, just butter on the table?"
"Yes."
In 5" they are seated, the blessing recited, bowls filled and bread buttered. After the first spoonful, sounds of delight fill the air.
"Those sounds do a cook good!" Henry smiles, contented that his creation is being enjoyed.
"So, Erin, what do you hear from Nicky?" Frank asks.
"Nothing for a while. I'm concerned for her; it seems like she is 1,000 miles away."
"She's only a hop, skip & jump away on the LIRR Erin."
"I know, but it seems like a long way out there. You know."
"So, you don't know what's up with her career preparations?" Frank muses.
"Nope." Erin is downcast.
Silence as they eat.
"And she's missed 3 Sunday dinners in a row," Pops observes.
"I noticed that," Frank points out.
"Is there a special occasion coming up," Pops puts out there.
"Well, the 5-way birthday party in October," Erin notices. "Have either of you heard where that will be held?"
Henry and Frank look at each other, shaking their heads. "No, we have not heard." Expressed simultaneously.
"Why don't we call, while we are together?" Erin suggests.
They all nod, Frank pulls out his cell and dials.
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ON THE ISLAND – RING RING
Jamie's cell shows 'dad'. "Jamie here, what's up dad? You're on speaker."
"Hello, son. Erin and Pops here with me, speaker also. We are wondering about the location of the 5-way October birthday party? It seems like we rarely see your limb of the family tree."
Jamie and Eddie look at each other & at Nicky. "Well, we haven't really thought much about the party, yet."
Eddie nods, agreeing. "Do you three have a request?" Eddie takes a chance.
The three in Bay Ridge look at each other, they hadn't been expecting that. Henry thinks fast, "Yes, I do. How about the social hall at St. Angelus?"
Silence, nobody had been expecting that.
"Is there such a place?" Eddie wonders out loud.
"Yes," comes from the Bay Ridge folk.
"That wasn't on my radar," Jamie admits. "But, why not? Can one of you inquire about availability?"
"Have you selected a date?" Frank asks.
Jamie and Eddie shake their heads. "No."
"Why don't one of you ask about Sat/Sun open dates? And get back to us?" Eddie posits.
Pops agrees to take that on. They plan another call in 1 week.
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SCHOOL DAZE
This September the girls advance a grade – all three are doing very well. The St. Bridget parish schools provided a solid Christian based education: Pre-school, Kindergarten, Elementary school, Middle school, thru High School ending at grade 12. Students with excellent academic records can take college-prep studies during grads 11 & 12. There is one concern, however.
Cassie 13 y/o, in 8th grade. Previously she was not a great student, with some barely passing grades. Now with a stable home environment and parents who love and support her, she is excelling in her classes. Where her interest in video production will lead is uncertain. But interesting.
Malina 10 y/o, 5th grade. Mal continues her solid course work. With the approval of her parents, Mal is taking cooking this year; a course usually reserved for students in grades 7-8. Jamie and Eddie hope she doesn't outshine the other students – too much.
Mary Rose 7 y/o, in 2nd grade. Jamie and Eddie keep a close eye on their youngest daughter. Her love of animals, and occasional 'field trips' with veterinarian Donna Blake, help keep the lid on this little dynamo. She can be easily distracted with the animals at home and in the community. The pull of veterinary medicine is STRONG!
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ST. BRIDGET PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
Father Abram welcomes Jamie and Eddie into his office. After introductions and handshakes, they are seated.
Jamie begins, "Thank you for seeing us, Father. We would like to talk about our daughter Cassie, and Eli Abdul."
Father Abram visibly tenses, his eyes narrow.
Eddie picks up the topic; "We are aware that last school year you were keeping a close eye on these two students-
"I don't know where you got that information."
"Sheriff Abdul admitted it to us, sir," Jamie retorts.
The principal sucks in a breath.
"We have talked this over with sheriff Abdul," Eddie confirms. "We hope you will cease and desist. Please."
Father Abram visibly trembles. He appears angry. "I will speak with the sheriff about this."
"Please do. We are looking forward to another fine school year. We appreciate the good job your staff are doing with our children," Jamie wraps up. He and Eddie stand, shake hands, and depart.
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SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
RING RING
"Suffolk County sheriff, how may I direct your call?"
"This is Father Abram, at St. Bridget's. May I speak with the sheriff, please?"
"Sheriff Abdul, Father. How may I be of assistance?"
"Yes, Jamie and Eddie Reagan were just in to see me."
"Oh, what did they want?"
"They said you admitted to watching Cassie & Eli. Did you?"
"Yes, I think we can dispense with that. You may stop the observation and reporting."
"But sheriff-
"Is that a problem, Father?"
"No, but-
"But what?" Mohmmed asks.
"Ah . . . nothing, sir."
"Do you have the devices ready for pickup?" The sheriff inquires.
"They will be ready by tomorrow afternoon."
"Good, I will be by then and pick them up."
SHERIFF'S OFFICE
"Sheriff, sir? Their administrative assistant seeks sheriff Abdul's attention.
"Yes, Cheryl?"
"Those listening devices . . . from St. Bridget school."
"Yes?"
"Two were not returned." Cheryl states.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, sir. I double checked."
Mohammed pauses, "I will look into that. Thanks, Cheryl."
"Yes, sir."
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ST BRIDGET PARISH SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
"Sheriff, go right in, sir."
He enters, sits and addresses Father Abram.
"Father, we have a problem. Two of those devices were not returned."
The principal loses facial color, draws his hands down his face and responds. "Are you sure?"
"Quite certain. My administrative assistant double checked, two did not come back."
"Well, I will look and see if I can find them. Can you return tomorrow?"
"No . . . I will wait." The sheriff is stone faced.
"But this may take some time, Sir."
"I will wait . . . 10 minutes, no more. After that, I will call a team of deputies-
"No, no. I think I know what happened. Wait right here, sir."
'I bet he knows!'
The principal scurries away and returns in 2" – with the missing listening devices.
"I'm sorry about that, sheriff. Here you go."
Sheriff Abdul pockets what he came for and exits.
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ON THE ISLAND – 1 WEEK UNTIL THE BIG PARTY
In bed, just before sleep captures them.
"Jamie, hon?"
"Um?"
"I've been thinking about your dad." Eddie softly voices.
"Oh, what about him?"
"Well, if . . . you know . . . Pops were to-
"Pass?" Jamie tenses.
"Yeah. I mean Frank would be all alone in that huge house."
"Our family home, you mean. Jam Packed with memories."
"And ghosts, real or imagined."
"So?" Jamie frowns.
"What would he do? What would we, the family do?"
"Ah-
"Jamie, Pops does all the cooking. Your dad would starve, unless-
"Dad HATES take out! He would starve. What brought this on, babe?"
"We have a big party in a week. Life goes on, kids grow up, adults age. You know. GG is how old?"
"87, I think."
"Don't you ever think about this? Hm? Your dad rattling around, alone, in that family home in Bay Ridge?"
"I hadn't been thinking about it. Much, that is. Now? You've brought it up to a front burner. Thanks."
"You are very welcome, sweetheart." She smirks in the dark.
She curls up next to her lover. She is asleep in minutes. He lays there, eyes wide open, thinking.
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TBC