Chapter 60 – A Show
As they pulled up, Lee's phone chimed.
"Hey." Lee said. "I just got a text from my mother. I had sent a message telling her what we were thinking. She thinks it would be a great idea and if it is a go, just to let her know and they will come up. She just said that they would need a place to stay."
"Okay." Jack said. "We will talk to everyone tonight. I am sure that we can arrange for a place to stay. All else fails, Tommy is in our room and we put everything back in his and use it as a guest room."
"Do you really think that you can pull this off?" Nathan asked as he parked the truck.
"Yes." Jack said.
"I will do most of the organizing." Lee said. "It will give you three time to practice."
"I will help you." Elizabeth said.
"See." Lee said. "No problem."
The group walked into the house talking to each other and were all excited. The adults heard them come in, even though they were still sitting outside enjoying a fire in the fireplace and having a drink. Thomas was the one that got up to greet the group and let them know that they were outside.
"What are you all excited about?" Thomas asked.
Everyone stopped and looked at Jack.
"JP?" Thomas asked.
"Can we talk to all of you?" Jack asked.
"We are sitting outside." Thomas said.
"I am going to go check on Ghost." Nathan said.
"Someone named Carlo called up, said he took care of things and he would see you in the morning." Thomas said.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "He is a great kid and has been helping me with Ghost."
"Remind me to thank him." Doug said.
"You wanted to talk." Thomas said.
"Yes, Sir." Jack said. "Let's head back out and we will explain to everyone."
"You will explain." Nathan said.
Thomas looked at Jack and then at Nathan, but didn't say anything. The group went outside and most everyone took a seat near the fireplace.
"Nathan." James said. "Did you want a drink?"
"No, thank you." Nathan said. "But I am glad that you like the brandy."
"I would have never thought to try it." James said. "I think I am going to add it to my regular list of what I buy."
"Glad you like it." Nathan said. "I like to support local businesses where I can and I have had their stuff before."
"So I overheard." Gran said. "What was it that you wanted to talk about?"
Again the group looked to Jack since it was his idea. Taking the hint that he was going to have to do the talking, Jack stood up in front of the fireplace and looked at everyone.
"So while we were out." Jack said. "We overheard a group of younger riders complaining about a schooling show that got canceled. On the drive back, we got talking and I suggested that we hold a schooling show for all levels. The original show was supposed to be next weekend, but I am suggesting the weekend after Sugar Creek and that would be the weekend before the races start in town. Before you say anything, Grandpa, I know that there is a show in Utica that weekend, but it is only intermediate and advanced."
"Do you think that is a good idea with everything going on with the Kensingtons?" Thomas asked. "I am not saying no. I am just asking."
"I had questions about the security as well." Nathan said. "But after speaking with Jack for a few moments, I may be concerned, but not enough to not get on board."
"JP?" Thomas said.
"I am not going to let some little pompous ass interfere with business." Jack said. "And don't get me wrong, that is what this is. We have wanted to expand the jumping side of the business for a while and a show would be the perfect way to do that. I want to do a show for business and getting to jump would be a bonus. Besides, if Charlie Kensington wants a piece of me, he can come try and get it. I am an adult and I am not scared of him, though I think that he should be scared of me if he tries to come between me and the things that are important to me and right now that includes growing the business that I have a vested interest in."
"JP." Charlotte said with a warning tone.
"No, Ma." Jack said. "I have kicked his ass in the past and I will do it again."
Everyone looked at Jack.
"Don't look at me like that." Jack said. "I said this is business and he has no right to interfere with my ability to do said business."
"Char." Thomas said. "The boy has a point. Strictly from a business standpoint, I can sue the Kensingtons if they interfere with our ability to do business."
"There." Jack said. "Now getting back to the matter at hand – a schooling show for beginner to advanced."
Jack looked at his grandfather and mother. Everyone else was waiting to see what James would say.
"I don't have time to put together a show." James said.
"We will do it." Lee said standing up.
"I will help." Elizabeth said. "I may not know everything, but I will help where I can. Lee and I already have a list going. I am really good at organizing things and I am not afraid of working."
"James." Gran said. "I don't have a lot of time, but I will help where I can."
"Charlotte?" James said.
"If you guys don't have a problem." Charlotte said. "I guess I don't. I still have concerns about the security, but those can be addressed as you move forward. I also don't have time to help with much and I am not sure that we will even be here. I had planned on heading back to the city next week so that I can be back for the first weekend of racing. I don't like it, but it has been a few years since we did a show here. I just don't know if now is the right time to be opening the place up to people that we don't know. I think that security is going to be a huge concern and you are going to have to be careful because doing the show opens you and us to many things."
"I understand." Jack said. "But because we haven't had a show in a few years, it would be perfect. I have time to help put everything together and I don't know when we would get another opportunity to put a show together that I would potentially be able to jump in. As far as going back to the city, I figured that out as well. We, Elizabeth, Doug, Lee, Nathan and I have talked about it. We are all open to staying if Gran is willing to have us."
"We mentioned something to my mother." Lee said. "She wants to come up for that weekend if we are going to do that show. Maybe a day or so before and stay a day or so after."
"I also thought about inviting my parents that weekend." Doug said. "I know that Dad would like to see me jump. Heck we could even enter the girls. They have been taking lessons in the city. They are novice to training level, but they would love it. They could jump for Coal Creek. If we can arrange it for them to come up beforehand and train with us, even better."
"I have no problem with that." Gran said. "I just don't know if we have enough room for everyone. JP, you know that you are more than welcome to stay here as long as you want. Your friends are also welcome anytime."
"I am sure that my parents won't mind getting a hotel room." Doug said. "They might even borrow the camper for the weekend and come up with that."
"Reserve a couple nice rooms." Gran said. "If we don't need them, we can always cancel."
"On it." Jack said. "I will do that tonight."
"If you want to do all seven classes." James said. "You are going to have to have a two day show."
"I already thought of that." Lee said. "I was thinking of a Friday evening to Sunday show."
"You will need to contact businesses and vendors." James said.
Jack looked around the group.
"So we have permission?" Jack asked.
"Yes." James said. "However there are a few rules/conditions that I am placing on you."
"Yes, Sir." Jack said.
"One." James said. "You need to do the leg work – all five of you. Two – all of our horses not jumping that weekend need to be moved from the arena stable. You will be responsible to see that it is done."
"Where should we put them?" Doug asked.
"You can put them in the new thoroughbred stable." James said. "You will also need to move all the tack out of the stable arena. You will have to clean everything and lock the feed room."
"Anything else?" Jack asked.
"Yes." James said. "You, Nathan and Doug will need to sit down with security and go over the plan and see where things need to be added."
"We can do that." Doug said.
"I would also suggest that you have a flier ready for this weekend." Gran said. "We will have to get word out."
"Already working on it." Lee said.
"You are going to have to talk to Andy and Marco." James said. "Especially since you are going to need their help."
"I think I might have the list of who was here the last time we did a show." Gran said.
"Can you please look." Elizabeth said. "It would be a great way to jump start our list."
"Everyone." Thomas said in a loud voice.
Everyone stopped and looked at Thomas.
"Yes, Dad." Jack said.
"Before you get too excited." Thomas said. "I have my own conditions."
"Yes, Sir." Doug said.
"In addition to what James said." Thomas said. "I want to sit in on the meeting with security. JP you will need to contact Devin if we need additional security. Also, you five will be responsible to make sure everything is done and cleaned up."
"Of course, Sir." Nathan said.
"Anything else?" Jack asked.
Jack looked around to see if any of the other adults had something to add.
"Don't forget that our insurance has requirements." James said.
"I didn't." Jack said. "Minimum of a vet and tech plus a paramedic on site in case something happens to either horse or rider."
"Good." James said.
"I may be able to help with that." Nathan said. "I will make some calls."
"Thank you." James said. "So what was this schooling show that got canceled. I didn't think that there was another one until August."
"S something Academy." Jack said. "It was supposed to be the weekend before Sugar Creek."
"SC Academy." Nathan said.
"Now that makes more sense." James said. "I was wondering what was going to happen with that one. I was thinking of not showing that weekend since it would be between the Classic and Sugar Creek. I didn't think that schooling show was going to be worth it. I had thought about maybe having a few hands there with a booth."
"Something that you want to share." Thomas said.
"SC Riding Academy." James said. "I knew that it was in trouble, so I was surprised that the schooling show was still on the calendar."
"Where is this riding academy?" Jack asked. "I don't remember it."
"You probably knew it as Tree Blossom." Gran said.
Jack whipped around and looked at his grandmother and then turned to look at his grandfather. Understanding dawned on Doug as they were standing there.
"Isn't that the place that was shut down because the dad was arrested." Doug said.
"Embezzlement or something." Jack said.
"Yes." Thomas said. "And it was insider trading. I thought that he was still in prison."
"He is." James said. "After selling off a lot of the property and the orchards, the wife started a riding academy to try and bring some money in. I had heard that there were complaints and that people were not happy with her and the way that she did things. I didn't think that they had the space to do a show. I know that they only have a very small arena and six stall stable."
"They don't." Gran said. "If I remember, that show was going to be at the polo grounds."
"Either way." Doug said. "We will do a better job. The last show here was amazing."
"Thank you Doug." Gran said. "It was a lot of work, but I actually miss the shows. It is so much fun to watch the little kids get excited about jumping."
"Now you are going to be busy." James said. "So I suggest that you all get some sleep. We will talk more about this as the week goes on. Don't forget that you still have chores and a show to get ready for."
"We didn't." Doug said. "Jack said something about maybe me jumping this weekend as well."
"Yes." James said. "They changed the rules for the Classic and expanded it to include more."
"Let me see how things go tomorrow." Doug said. "I will let you know at lunch."
"I have reserved a spot for you." Gran said. "We can always cancel."
"Thank you." Doug said. "I just want to get on a horse before I commit."
"I understand." James said. "Either way, the spot is reserved. We don't have to give rider and horse information until we arrive. Since both spots will be held under Coal Creek."
The group started their goodnights and were heading in.
"Nathan." James said. "Can you stay here for a second?"
"Sure." Nathan said. "Jack, I will catch up with you in a bit."
"Okay." Jack said.
Jack took one last look at his grandfather who gave him a nod to leave. Jack wasn't sure what they wanted to talk to Nathan about, but he realized that they didn't want him there. Jack just hoped that everything was okay and that he hadn't done something to cause trouble for Nathan. Then Jack remembered that Nathan had talked to his grandfather about something in private and figured that it was related to that.
"Oh, before we head down." Jack said. "Where is Tommy?"
"He should be in his room." Charlotte said. "After he was done with the dishes, I sent him down there. If he is not, please let me know."
"I will." Jack said.
Jack walked Elizabeth into the house with Doug and Lee following. They were still talking about everything that needed to be done for the show. Once inside, Elizabeth stopped Jack.
"So what did you do to Charlie?" Elizabeth asked. "Also when?"
Jack looked at Elizabeth and then glanced at Doug and Lee who were trying to hide their smiles. Jack let out a small chuckle before turning to Elizabeth with a full dimpled grin.
"Why don't you ask Doug." Jack said.
"Doug?" Elizabeth said.
"What?" Doug said.
"You tell her." Jack said. "It is your fault I had to step in anyway."
"I agree." Lee said. "Besides, you tell it so much better."
"I am waiting." Elizabeth said. "You are going to tell me or you aren't going to sleep."
Jack and Doug looked at each other and then at Elizabeth who was standing there with her hands on her hips.
"I surrender." Doug said.
"Let's sit for a moment." Lee said.
The group went over to the couches and took a seat. Elizabeth turned to Doug.
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