Chapter 166 – Progress on the Show

"Who is Frank?" John asked.

"I told you about him." Jack said. "Doug and I met him at the lock-in at Maryknoll. He was one of the group leaders."

"Oh right." John said. "I didn't realize that you stayed in contact."

"More than that." Jack said. "I have met with him several times in the city. I am glad that he was able to do this for us."

"Are they driving all the way up tonight?" James asked.

"No." Jack said. "With Opal and then Frank already having driven from the city, they will drive to Newburgh tonight. Devin booked them a couple of rooms at the Hampton Inn there. Frank will take Opal and Katie out for supper and stop and get them swimsuits if they need since the hotel has a pool. Both Devin and Frank thought it would be easier to break up the driving."

"Make sure we pay him back." John said.

"Devin gave him a prepaid card from my account." Jack said.

John nodded.

"What time do you expect them tomorrow?" Gran asked.

"It is about two hours." Jack said. "I figure they will take off about ten or so in the morning."

"Then we will hold lunch until they get here." Gran said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"What did you do this morning?" Elizabeth asked.

"Peter and Andrew helped me with the stuff for the show." Lee said.

"You have over thirty confirmed vendors." Peter said.

"And six additional food stands for a total of eleven." Andrew said.

"They helped me rework the map." Lee said. "We made spots for fifty-five vendors since some wanted double spaces and were willing to pay for two spots."

"Well done gentleman." Gran said.

"We also have ninety-four riders counting our five." Peter said.

"Wow." Elizabeth said.

"Jack." Lee said. "Banners are ordered and I got that pdf to the guy at Quad City. I have also increased the tables from the park department."

"So what is left?" Jack asked.

"Follow up with the ten remaining vendors who didn't have an answer." Peter said. "However most said they would let you know by Wednesday."

"Continue to monitor the registration as most of the lower classes are filling up." Andrew said.

"I will follow up with security and other employees." Chris said.

"How are we doing that?" Gran asked.

"Since the schedule is already out for that weekend." James said. "People can sign up for a shift or two outside of their regular work hours. If they are not scheduled, they can sign up. I have informed everyone that even though the show is important, regular work comes first."

"I have composed an email to all employees." Peter said. "It will spell out everything. I will send it out in the morning. The master sign up sheets will be down at James's office in the arena."

"We are offering a bonus to all employees who take a shift at the show." Jack said.

"I have almost forty members of a group coming up to help as well." Nathan said. "They are not charging us anything and have made arrangements to stay. They will come up as a group on Thursday and stay until Monday or Tuesday."

Nathan and Jack caught the look between Peter and John. Nathan was going to ask, but Jack shook his head. Nathan figured they were up to something and Jack would let him know later.

"What is the plan for this afternoon?" James asked.

"Katie and I." Elizabeth said. "We have laundry in and then we are going to go get the apartment set up."

"Us guys have to work out." Jack said.

"I also need to sit down with you and discuss some business, JP." John said.

"I am going to lay down." Gran said. "Supper is leftovers and everyone is welcome around the table."

"Rob and I are going to spend some time at the security office." Chris said. "Thank you and we will probably stay."

Gran nodded.

"How long are you staying, John?" Doug asked.

"Until after supper." John said. "Peter, Andrew and I can work from here this afternoon."

"Sounds like we are all busy." James said. "I would love to sit and visit, but I have a mountain of paperwork to do."

John nodded to Andrew.

"Anything I can help you with?" Andrew asked.

"If you are willing to enter information into the computer." James said. "I won't turn down the help."

"Then I guess I am coming with you." Andrew said.

James nodded.

"Grab something to drink if you want." James said. "All I have in the office fridge is water."

"I will be fine." Andrew said.

"Then whenever you are ready." James said.

Andrew got up and took his dishes to the sink. When he came back, he stopped at Gran.

"Thank you for feeding us." Andrew said. "I know that wasn't in your original plans."

"You are more than welcome." Gran said.

James and Andrew walked out and headed to his office. John and Peter were the next two to pick up their plates and take them to the sink.

"JP." John said. "We will be in the library or out here at the table when you are done working out."

"Yes, Sir." Jack said. "Give me about an hour and a half. That way I can shower."

John nodded, grabbed his bag and headed to the library. Peter was right behind him. They had taken the large roll of papers that Jack had brought out earlier.

"I am going to lay down." Gran said. "Will someone please wake me by three if I am not up."

"I will." Katie said.

"Thank you." Gran said.

She then picked up her plate and took it to the kitchen. Once Gran was down the hall, Katie turned to Jack, Doug and Nathan.

"Go work out." Katie said. "We got this."

Jack was going to argue, but Katie gave him a look. Jack put his hands up in surrender.

"Going." Jack said.

The boys left, leaving Lee, Elizabeth and Katie at the table with Rob and Chris.

"You two can leave as well." Katie said, looking at Rob and Chris.

"Thank you." Chris said.

Chris got up, gave Katie a kiss and then left. Rob was right behind him.

"Looks like we have work to do." Lee said.

"Unless you want to work out with the others." Katie said.

"No, I am okay." Lee said.

The three got all the food put away and the counters wiped down. Lee got the dishwasher going as well.

"I am going to head downstairs and work on the laptop." Lee said.

"We won't be far behind you." Elizabeth said. "We have a project to do as well as setting up the apartment."

Lee nodded. Katie and Elizabeth sat down at the table for a moment after Lee left.

"How are you really doing?" Katie asked.

"I am okay, honestly." Elizabeth said. "It was scary at that moment, but I am doing okay. It is still a lot to take in – the money, actually being engaged, moving out and well everything."

"I am here if you need to talk." Katie said.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Father Mark is arranging for a counselor to come out and meet with me. Speaking of which, I need to talk to him about that, especially with Rosie coming this weekend."

"Have Jack call or message him later." Katie said.

"Yeah." Elizabeth said. "Jack said he needed to talk to me about something this afternoon as well."

"Good." Katie said. "Don't just let him make all the decisions, you need to do that together."

"Father Mark said some about that when we were riding yesterday." Elizabeth said.

"Good." Katie said. "Hold Jack to it. Sometimes he forgets to inform the rest of the world what he is doing until after he has done it."

"I am gathering that." Elizabeth said.

"Anything else?" Katie asked.

"No." Elizabeth said. "There is a lot going on this week and Rosie is coming this weekend. Doug's sisters and mother will also be here."

"Rosie is your best friend?" Katie asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth said.

"Aren't you excited about her coming?" Katie asked.

"Yes and no." Elizabeth said.

"I don't think she understands." Elizabeth said. "She was upset that I have been out of contact. She thinks I am rushing into things with Jack. I honestly think she might believe some of what the tabloids and gossip sites are saying about him. I don't know what to do. Rosie and I have been friends since we were little. Through everything, Rosie has been there. Now I feel like I have to choose and if she forces the issue. Well, I will choose Jack hands down every time."

"Hopefully." Katie said. "It doesn't come to that. Give her a chance to see what the rest of us see. Keep an open mind and just enjoy this week. I know it will be busy going to Canada and all, but there is no show this weekend so the boys will be on a lighter schedule."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "We really should check the laundry and look at the puzzles and games so we can place the Amazon order."

"Let's go." Katie said.

Elizabeth and Katie headed downstairs. The first thing that they did was check the laundry. They were able to put both loads in the dryer and start the last load of towels. When they came out, they saw Lee sitting flipping through the channels.

"Lee." Elizabeth said.

"Yes." Lee said, looking over.

"Gran said that there was a closet with games and puzzles in it." Elizabeth said.

"It is over by the laundry room in the hallway there." Lee said. "Not sure which door, but you are more than welcome to check. The others are just storage."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said.

They went over and opened the first door, but it was storage. They then opened the double doors and found one side was shelves of games and puzzles.

"Wow." Elizabeth said. "They do have a bunch of games."

"Yes." Katie said. "Let's pick out a few. Remember, Opal may not want to be up here until she feels more comfortable."

"I know." Elizabeth said.

"Oh look." Katie said. "A tote of paper and art supplies."

"Let's grab that." Elizabeth said. "I also think we should grab Trouble, Candyland, Sorry and Chutes and Ladders."

"Those sound like good choices." Katie said. "Let's also make sure they have all their pieces. I bet if we ask Gran, we can maybe put these upstairs in the library this week along with the tote of art supplies."

"Good plan." Elizabeth said. "Now that I know that these are here, we can always get more. Some of these games I haven't seen in years. I think I wouldn't mind playing them with Opal or Becky."

"I am sure they will both play with you this summer." Katie said with a smile.