AND LOVE CHAP 118
You did what?
ON THE SHORE
"Babe, that Salisbury steak was really good! Pinterest again?"
"Nope, my mom's recipe. I think she got it passed down from her mom."
"One of the few good things your parents passed on. I'm so sorry, sweetheart."
"And my physique," he flexes his bicep. His father was a body builder; a rare good quality & worthwhile achievement. He's shared most of the sorry story of his upbringing with Annie over the years.
She reaches across and gives it a good squeeze. "Oh, I like that."
"I know you do." He grins. He's heard it before, in bed.
"We need to do some wedding planning. Have you thought of your men to stand up with you?"
"Not yet. But I have a Bible boy & ring bearer."
"Oh, who?" She should know.
"Patrick and AJ Reagan."
She stares. "Who?"
"Eddie and Jamie's boys – AJ and Patrick."
"Seriously?"
"Well, I haven't asked yet. But would they be ok with you? They would be perfect."
"They would," she whispers.
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ON THE ISLAND
Eddie returns from her delivery run. She and the boys smell the remnants of supper. "Smells delicious Mal!"
"Staying warm in the oven, mom. If you and the boys can set the table, I will serve you in a jiffy." Mal shouts from somewhere in the house.
Eddie, Pat & AJ do their part. Mal soon comes with food and drink. After Pat recites the blessing, they dish up and begin. Mal sits with them and asks, "How was your trip?"
"We saw uncle Gregg!" AJ spouts.
"Who?" Jamie huffs as he comes into the room.
"Gregg at the Porsche dealer," Eddie answers.
"Why did you stop and see him?" Jamie's voice is hard.
"I had a question. And he had news."
"And?" The whole family has now gathered.
"His news was that he and Annie are engaged!" She looks pleased.
"Yay!" The kids all erupt.
Jamie looks . . . Eddie can't really read his expression. Which is unusual. She hears his response. "So?"
"I congratulated him, them."
"I'm sure you did," he turns and walks away.
'Geez, now what?'
"Mommy, that was good news. Right?" Patrick says.
"Yes, it was sweetie," Eddie mumbles. She's not sure how to handle this.
CHIME – HER TEXT ALERT
GW: Talk w J please
ER: I will notify
GW: K THX
She finds her husband in the office. "Gregg wants to talk with you, babe."
"What about?" He's gruff.
"I don't know, he texted."
"Tell him I'm busy."
"I'll give hm your number."
"No, Ed-
She's gone.
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RING – JAMIE'S CELL
"Jamie Reagan."
"Jamie, glad I caught you, bro*. Can I ask for a favor?"
"I suppose," his gruff voice doesn't deter Gregg.
"Annie and I are engaged, you may have heard."
"I heard. So?"
"We were doing some wedding planning. And I said that I'd like your two boys for Bible boy and ring bearer. Can we agree on that?"
Silence.
"Jamie?"
"Ah . . . I'll talk that over with Eddie. And get back to you."
"Thanks much. We'll await your call. Thanks."
"Yeah, bye."
"Bye, Jamie."
ON THE SHORE
"So, hon?" Annie wonders.
"Something has poisoned the well, babe. I don't know about this. We need to find other options than Eddie and Jamie and family. I'm afraid."
"Too bad. I was hoping to ask Eddie to be my maid of honor*."
"And Jamie was on my short list of best man."
"Back to the drawing board?"
"Yup!"
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PORSCHE BROOKLYN
MANAGEMENT TEAM
"Bill, do you have a suggested solution?" Dave Adams, President, is seeking advice from his chief mechanic. The dealership's parts and service departments are in disarray. They do not have personnel in house to solve this.
"Yes, but you may not like it." Bill Walsh replies.
"The only suggestion I don't like, is the one I don't hear. I'm listening."
"Gregg Wells."
"Who?"
"Gregg Wells. He owns and manages the parts and service department at Porsche Huntington, out on the island."
"Successful?"
"Blazingly!"
"Why wouldn't I like it?"
"He will demand a hell of a deal."
"Aw, I'm a damned good bargainer!"
"Hmpf. Go for it boss."
"Hm, I'd like a ride ON THE ISLAND."
Bill rolls his eyes.
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ON THE ISLAND – UPSTAIRS
Eddie knocks, then enters. "May I join you girls in your prayer circle?"
The girls scoot so mom can have a place in the circle.
Cassie begins; she prays intensely for Eli and his mother.
Mom prays also, and after tucking all in she goes down to join Jamie in getting ready for bed.
"Jamie?"
"Yeah?"
"Cassie is still hung up on Eli. This can be dangerous, no?"
"Is that any of our business?" He snorts.
"Jamie! Cassie is our daughter!"
"True, so?"
"I am concerned about her emotional health. Aren't you?" She is becoming concerned. Something is really wrong here.
"I don't see anything to be worried about."
"I'll keep an eye on it. If you don't mind."
"Knock yourself out."
Her eyes open wide. She turns to her dresser and pulls out flannel PJ's. He misses her point, big time.
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Porsche Huntington
A smartly dressed middle-aged man strolls into the parts & service desk. He had carefully parked his Porsche Carrera Cabriolet outside. "Dave Adams. Is Gregg Wells available, young man?" He stands there, tapping his foot.
Jimmy bristles, this should be good! "Just a moment, sir. I'll see."
Jimmy goes out into the service bays, finding Gregg at the very last one.
"A pompous ass to see you, boss."
Gregg looks up and grins. Jimmy had a very good eye for people.
"Name?"
"Dave Adams, boss."
"You know him, Jimmy?"
"Nope."
"You should, at least the name."
"Why, boss?"
"Dave Adams. President of Brooklyn Porsche. You need to know the top people at all the area Porsche dealers. At least by name."
"Yes, boss. I'll study up."
"You do that son. Take over here. Bad alternator."
"On it."
Gregg strolls to the front desk. He wipes his hands on a red work rag, then holds out his right one for a handshake.
Dave pauses, then gingerly shakes hands. As if Gregg has leprosy. Maybe he does.
"Gregg Wells. And you are?"
"Dave Adams of Brooklyn Porsche. Is there a quiet, private place where we can talk?"
"Certainly, follow me." Gregg leads the way to his office. He sits behind his desk – a very messy desk. Dave sits, gingerly again, in a chair in front of the desk. He looks uncomfortable. Gregg smiles inwardly.
"Dave Adams, what can I do for you?"
"Ah . . . it is what you can do for me."
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ON THE SHORE
"I'm home babe," Gregg announces. He was late, the meeting with Dave Adams was interminably long. The guy from Brooklyn just wouldn't shut up. They finally set a date 2 weeks hence for a negotiating session. Gregg put it that far out as he needed Annie to be there.
After supper, relaxing on the love seat.
"So, this guy from Brooklyn? What does he want?" Annie inquires.
He gives her the run down. "I need you to represent me, babe."
"What should I do? How hard to squeeze?"
"Squeeze his ass until both cheeks are bloodless, sweetheart!" He grins.
She grins back. "I can do that. You sure?"
"Positive. I can come out of this with a strangle hold on 2 Porsche dealerships."
"Gregg, you're not that kind of guy!" She cringes.
"TRUTH! But they don't know that. Family security, love."
"Ok, got it," she smiles sweetly. "I'm in."
1 month later Gregg Wells owns and manages the parts & service departments of 2 of the areas premier Porsche dealerships. He and Annie celebrate ON THE SHORE!
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BAY RIDGE
Jack Boyle emits a low whistle as he reads the NYT. "Did you see this, dad?"
"What?" He rarely calls Jack 'son'.
"Gregg Wells now owns and operates the parts and service departments of 2 area Porsche dealers."
"Really? Do I know him?"
"Annie, er Syd's fiancé."
Frank jerks his head around, just as Erin comes into the sitting room. "What?" Erin explodes.
"Gregg Wells and Annie Davenport are engaged." Jack repeats. AND Gregg now owns and operates the parts and service departments of 2 area Porsche dealers."
Pshaw, can't be," she huffs.
"Right here, page 1 of the autos section," Jack throws the section at his wife.
She picks it up and reads. "The deal was negotiated by Annie Davenport. Gregg Wells now has controlling interest in both dealerships."
"Annie and Gregg are engaged too," Jack adds. Again. He strolls to the stairs, and up to their bedroom.
"Damn," Erin mutters. "Does Jamie know?"
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ON THE SHORE – ANNIE'S CELL RINGS
"Annie, Eddie?"
"Yes, it's me. Say, I want to congratulate you and Gregg! On the engagement! And that stupendous business deal! Kudos!"
"Thanks Eddie. You are 1st!."
"1st in what?"
"The family to congratulate us."
"I'm hanging my head. That shouldn't be, seriously. Hey, I have a question."
"Shoot."
"What would it take to get you back on Nicky's team?"
"Seriously?"
"Yup."
"Well, for starters-
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Jamie cringes.
I'm sure this would cause a seizure or two!