Chapter 316 – Another Problem to Deal With
After Elizabeth left, Bill looked Jack right in the eye.
"Give how your father is acting." Bill said. "I felt it was my duty as your godfather to have this conversation with you."
"Devin had the birds and the bees conversation with me years ago." Jack said.
"Good." Bill said. "But that is only part of the conversation. Just because you are married that doesn't mean you have free rein to do what you want. No still means no. It is also your responsibility to make sure that Elizabeth is okay. I don't know her past, but I expect you to be a complete gentleman and don't push her if she is scared or unsure. You will need to go at her pace. It can be scary for women the first time as they usually experience some level of pain."
Jack was completely red by the time that Bill took a breath and continued.
"I know that talking about these things isn't the easiest." Bill said. "Peter and I have started to have some of these conversations and it was embarrassing for both of us, but we survived. But it is needed, especially given how your parents have treated you growing up."
Jack nodded.
"The other thing that I wanted to say." Bill said. "No matter how embarrassing or awkward it is, you need to talk to Elizabeth about what you are feeling and experiencing. If she does something that you like, you need to tell. On the same hand, if she does something that you don't like, you need to tell. You also need to check in with her about what she likes and doesn't like. You will experience a lot of things on your wedding night and it is something that is new to both of you. So there is no shame in going slow or even waiting."
Jack nodded again.
"Well." Bill said. "I have embarrassed you enough for one evening."
He patted Jack's knee and stood up. Jack stood and gave his godfather a quick hug.
"I know that it may not be the easiest thing to talk about." Bill said. "But I hope that you know you can call me anytime about anything."
"Thank you." Jack said. "And while it may be awkward, thank you for coming and talking to us."
"You are welcome." Bill said. "I am hoping to come to the show in Albany this weekend. John also told me about supper. We will just have to see."
"Good." Jack said. "Let me know one way or another."
The duo left the library. Bill spoke to James and Margaret for a bit before leaving. Jack went and sat at the piano and quietly plucked at the keys while he let the red in his cheeks start to fade.
After Bill left, Frank came over and sat on the piano bench with Jack.
"You okay?" Frank asked, softly.
"Yeah." Jack said. "Because of how my parents have been, Bill felt the need to check in with a talk about the birds and the bees. He also reminded me that I still always need to be a gentleman."
Frank chuckled and nudged Jack's shoulder with his own.
"Better someone you know than a drill sergeant in a room with one hundred other privates at basic." Frank teased.
"I would have probably died of embarrassment." Jack said.
Frank laughed again. The two sat there and talked a bit more.
The rest of Wednesday evening was nice. Jack played the piano between talking to Frank. When Jack took another break, Frank nudged his shoulder again.
"You play very well." Frank said. "You have most of that music memorized, don't you? I barely saw you look at the sheet music."
Jack ducked his head.
"No need to be embarrassed." Frank said. "I know playing the piano at your level takes a lot of work and dedication. I can tell you have spent a lot of time honing your craft. You should be proud."
"Thank you." Jack said, softly. "It is still weird that other people know about my musical talents. I hid it for so long, so my parents wouldn't ruin another thing that I loved. I mean they have always known that I play guitar, but I even hid how well I play that. The only ones that knew about the piano were Lee, Doug and Doug's family. I also knew they wouldn't say anything until I was ready."
"I am sorry about that." Frank said. "That must have been hard to hide a large part of who you were growing up. That was not fair of your parents. But I am glad you are sharing now."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I feel like I can really be me for the first time ever and it is still weird for me to be open about things. I hid so much from my parents. They truly don't know me and I doubt that they actually care enough to learn. All they cared about was how I could make them look better to their rich friends. It is why I refused to do a lot of things, I would have maybe otherwise tried."
Frank patted Jack's arm. They talked a bit more before they said their goodnights and headed downstairs to hangout down there and pray before bed. Jack was still thinking about what both Bill and Frank had said. Each in their own way, they had encouraged him to be more open about who he was and know that they had his back. He wanted to be able to do things and not have to pretend he wasn't good or worse, explain why he had never shared before.
… … … …
Thursday was more working with the horses and making stuff with the peaches. Jack worked a bit with Bandit, but also got on Onyx and Smokey Jo. He also rode Wex, who he realized was going to need a lot of work over the winter. He spoke to Maria about her working with the horse over the winter and getting him up to speed as it sounded like they were taking on several new riders. Jack had read through the inquiries that his grandfather had sent him and told him to accept four of them. He wanted more information from two others. Jack was excited as they could have multiple riders in multiple levels and that was not even counting Doug, Nathan and himself. Though they would probably jump advanced if they did the next year. Jack was also excited about Opal taking lessons and Becky getting excited to ride some more.
As it had cooled off a bit, the girls opted for a trail ride and then a workout after working in the sand ring. Jack, Doug and Nathan turned out the other horses where they would have some shade. If it got too hot, the hands knew to bring them all in. As Jack was heading to the house, Opal came running up, so he stopped and turned.
"Where have you been?" Jack teased. "I haven't seen you in days."
"I had a sleepover with Manny's daughter Connie and her cousins." Opal said.
"Oh, fun." Jack said. "I bet it was great."
"It was." Opal said. "They taught me to count to five in Spanish and Connie's sister is going to be my teacher when I start school."
"Wonderful." Jack said. "Was there something that you needed or did you just want to share with me."
"Mom told me to stop you." Opal said. "She needs to talk to you."
"Okay." Jack said. "Guys go ahead, I will be in soon."
Doug and Nathan nodded. Jack and Opal headed back to the stable. Just about the time they got there, Katie came out of the office.
"Thank you, Opal." Katie said.
"Run, have fun." Jack said. "I will talk to your mom."
"Thank you for coming back." Katie said. "I was hoping to catch you. I need you to see this."
"What is going on?" Jack asked.
Katie handed Jack a lab report print out.
"I have already been on the phone with Dr Matthews to confirm what I was reading." Katie said.
"Why did you have that testing done?" Jack said. "Not that I am mad, I just wouldn't have thought it."
"Something didn't look or feel right to me." Katie said. "So when the vet tech was out here, I just asked her to draw the blood and run a full genetics panel. I am sorry, I know that you were hoping to breed that horse, but it is better that you don't."
"You are right." Jack said. "Thank you for catching this. Please make sure that both of my grandfather's get this report and let them know that I have seen it."
"I will." Katie said. "I have already changed his diet and gotten the medications coming from Dr Matthews."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I am just glad we caught this before we breed Pickle Prada. He came from California and was retired due to injury. I was hoping to breed him in the new year."
"Well." Katie said. "He might not be able to be bred, but we should be able to keep him comfortable at least for the time being. If you want to try and breed him, I can see if there are things that can be given to help."
Jack nodded.
"Please." Jack said. "I would like to get at least a few foals from him if possible.
"We might have to do a few sessions with the dummy mare." Katie said. "Then freeze it, but it would be better than nothing."
"Go ahead and take care of that, please." Jack said.
"I will." Katie said. "Also I wanted to thank you for including Opal in the wedding next week. She is so excited."
"Our pleasure." Jack said.
Katie nodded and went to take care of things. Jack headed to the house. Elizabeth was the first one to see Jack when he walked in the house. She immediately went to him.
"What is wrong?" She asked.
"Katie figured out that there is something wrong with one of the stud horses." Jack said. "She got the vet to do the workup and confirm it. I am just trying to figure out what to do about it."
"How bad is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"Bad." Jack said. "While it can be managed, it is progressive and we will eventually have to put the horse down. It is just how much do we want to invest in the horse now. I am willing to try for a bit, but don't know long term. If we can't breed him and he is going to be in pain, it might just be better to do it soon rather than later."
Elizabeth hugged Jack.
"Let's go up to the music room." Elizabeth said.
"I need to get a workout in." Jack said.
"No." Elizabeth said. "You need to talk this through."
Jack sighed, but allowed Elizabeth to lead him up to the music room and out onto the covered patio.
"Now sit down and talk to me." Elizabeth said.
"One of the horses that was retired at age twelve due to chronic injuries." Jack said. "Katie felt that something was off with the horse and had the vet tech draw blood and run a panel. She just showed me the printout."
"What was the diagnosis?" Elizabeth asked.
"Cushings." Jack said. "Which now that I think about it could account for the chronic laminitis, which is an inflammation of the hoof surfaces. It is why we had to retire the horse. We were hoping to breed him."
"Can you still breed him?" Elizabeth asked.
"Maybe." Jack said. "Cushings can cause fertility issues. Katie is already working on changing his diet and getting him on the right supplements, but it is still hard. A horse with Cushings, usually only lives on average less than ten years from the diagnosis. But if we can't breed him and we can't ride him due to the Cushings, then there is no point in having the horse. I get that he was a winner and is a living being, but Cushings can be painful."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Does a decision need to be made today?"
"No." Jack said. "We have time. Katie wants to see how his fertility is and maybe we can get some sessions in and freeze it. It is just a lot to take in."
"I understand that." Elizabeth said. "But you trust Katie, the vet and those in charge of his care?"
"Yes." Jack said.
"Then there is nothing that you can do until a decision needs to be made about the future." Elizabeth said. "You said it yourself that it doesn't need to be made today. So let's focus on the show this weekend and the wedding next weekend."
Jack nodded. Elizabeth scooted closer to Jack and picked up his hand.
"Please look at me." Elizabeth said softly.
Jack turned and looked at her.
"Thank you for talking to me." Elizabeth said. "The people who are supposed to be doing something are doing it. You can't micromanage everything or you are going to go crazy. Check in with Katie next week. But for now, just be here with me for a minute. We are eight days away from the wedding and while we have seen each other, I feel like we haven't spent much time together."
"Sorry." Jack said.
"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "I understand that it has been busy, but I am really starting to see why Bill said what he said. We need to find time to intentionally spend together. And while I know you want to workout, you have been running nonstop for a while, so you can take ten minutes or so and sit here with me."
Jack nodded.
"Are you nervous about next week?" Jack asked.
"A little." Elizabeth said. "I am more worried that I will be a disappointment to you."
"Not possible." Jack said, leaning forward to give Elizabeth a quick kiss.
Elizabeth leaned into the kiss and it got a little heated before they pulled back.
"Are you really okay with the change in plans?" Jack asked. "I know that I have asked before."
"I am okay." Elizabeth said. "We will have time alone. We will have our own cabin. It will be fine. I am more worried about the press and the show the day after the wedding."
"I will be fine." Jack said. "We will deal with what comes."
"I saw that Peter sent a bunch of dates for this fall for things." Elizabeth said.
"Yeah." Jack said. "I don't have to go to most of it, it was more to be aware. He will continue to do that so we can choose what we want to attend, but Grandpa John said school comes first."
"Good." Elizabeth said. "But remember you said you would cut back and help if needed, especially if I get pregnant right away."
"I remember." Jack said.
"Good." Elizabeth said. "Because that is what I am scared of – failing at school and proving my father right."
Jack knelt in front of Elizabeth.
"You are smart and will do fine." Jack said. "If you want to work, you will be able to work. If you want to stay home, I have absolutely no problem with that either. I just want you to be happy. If you need help, we will get you help."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I am just scared that I am going to fail and embarrass you."
"I don't care if you fail." Jack said. "I love you for you, not what you can do. If you fail, we will figure out what happened and get you the help you need. As far as embarrassing me, not possible. As long as you are there to support me when I need to face the press, I will be fine."
"Go …. in …. front of the press." Elizabeth stammered.
"Slow down." Jack said. "I am not saying next week. But eventually, you are going to have to at least stand there. I am not going to push you to do it, but just know that at some point it is going to have to happen."
Elizabeth nodded.
"My grandfathers can be there if we want." Jack said. "Devin and Nathan can and will probably be there. I am not saying you have to say anything, but to stand there and show support is huge, especially once we are married."
Elizabeth nodded again. Jack sat back down next to Elizabeth.