AND LOVE CHAP 116

Disappointment

Davenport, Erickson & Jackson

"How may I direct your call," Gladys answers.

"Professor Chapman of NYU-Law. Is Annie Davenport available for a call, please?"

"Just a moment, sir."

MUZAK

"This is Annie Davenport, professor. What can I do for you?"

"Annie, we haven't talked in a while!"

"Yes, it's good to hear from you. What's up?"

"Well, I just fielded a call from an Eddie Reagan. She told me that you were no longer participating in Nicky Reagan-Boyle's paralegal training. Why is that, if I may ask?"

"I . . . I don't know. I didn't quit the team. That I know of, at least."

"You didn't? What happened?"

"I do not know. Is this your personal number?"

"Yes, it is."

"May I call you back? Or leave a message?"

"Certainly, bye, Annie."

"Bye, professor."

Eddie's phone.

"Annie, hi. What's up?"

"You tell me, Eddie. I just had a call from professor Chapman of NYU. He told me that I am no longer on the team training Nicole Reagan-Boyle to be a paralegal. That was news to me. What's up?" Annie's voice turns hard toward the end.

Silence.

"Eddie? I'm disappointed, to say the least."

"I'm sorry, Annie. You need to talk with Nicky."

"Do you know what happened?"

Silence.

"Ok, is Nicky there, at your place?" Annie's voice is tight.

"Not right now-

"Ok, bye, Ed."

CALL DISCONNECTED

'SHIT' Eddie lays her head on her desk.

Nicky walks into the office, "Aunt Eddie? What's the matter?"

"Annie just called."

"Oh . . . does she know?"

"She does now. An NYU professor called her. I assume he was wondering why Annie's not on your training team."

"What did you tell her?"

"That she needed to call you. I'm sorry, Nick."

"No, that's all right. I'm a big girl. I will handle it."

"What are you going to say?"

"The bald-faced truth!"

'DAMN!'

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Boyle and Associates

"Annie Davenport calling. Is Jack Boyle available to take a call, please?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Boyle is in an important meeting right now. May I have him return your call?"

"Do you know how long it will be?"

"I would estimate 45" ma'am."

"Ok, here is my cell number-

"I will give him the message."

"Thank you."

Jack Boyle does not call Annie that day.

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ON THE ISLAND – AFTER SUPPER

"Mary Rose, daddy and I want to talk with you. About schooling, as you asked."

"Can my sisters listen, too?"

Jamie and Eddie look at each other and shrug. "Ok," mom says.

They gather in the FR. Jamie and Eddie give Mary Rose the spiel Eddie had mapped out. The girls have questions.

"Can any of us be home schooled?" Mal wonders.

"Well, neither mommy or I have time," dad starts. "So, we would need to hire a teacher. And we just cannot afford that, what with our animals and all."

"Are any of you unhappy at St. Bridget?" Eddie asks.

No major concerns are voiced. The principal's comment about notes garnered laughter. And boos.

Jamie adds, "You each have developed special interests. Mary Rose, veterinary medicine; Cassie audio/video production; Malina, culinary arts. We want to support you in those areas; that will take all the time and money we have to support you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, daddy," all around.

A group hug and they were off to evening duties and activities.

MBR – GETTING READY FOR BED

"Jamie, Annie called me today."

Jamie tenses, Eddie notices.

"About?" he voices.

"About no longer being on Nicky's trainings team."

"Really? What happened?"

"Erin had a hernia." She smirks.

"But . . . Annie is an outstanding attorney, Eddie!"

"Doesn't matter, apparently. She walked out on Erin's little brother. Annie's behind a giant 8-ball." She says, with some apparent remorse.

"Ed, tell me this. That day with the 2-9 mess, did you ask her to be your eyes and ears on the scene?"

"No, but it was a great comfort to me and the girls. I thanked her."

"The girls?"

"We were all sitting on the floor in the office. When she texted a little tidbit, it was such a relief. To know something, you know. No matter how small. When she texted that you were out and unharmed, we celebrated with a massive group hug."

Jamie is pensive. "How did she know? NY-1?"

"I'm not sure. When I talked with your dad, he mentioned Lieutenant Wells."

FLASHBACK

"Jamie TXT me. He said, 'invaders 2-9, 4 injured, me OK. Tell dad'." Frank, what's going on?!"

"I'm here Eddie. We don't know any more than that. I'll be in touch when Lieutenant Wells and I know more. Stay calm my dear, and pray."

END FLASHBACK

"When I heard Lt. Wells, I thought of Gregg. I called Annie and told her what I knew. I suppose she wracked her brain, trying to think how she could help. I was grateful. Is that a problem, Jamie?"

"No . . . but-

"But what?"

"Well . . . it's easy to look for hidden motives."

"Hidden motives? What are you-

"You know, a wolf in sheep's clothing. When you are relaxed, the wolf strikes."

"WHAT?" Eddie is confused.

"Remember the other day, Annie and I had lunch at her office. She did some mild flirting. Some would say that reveals her true character, Ed."

"A meeting you asked for and brought her favorite sandwich."

"Yeah, so?"

"Remember Jamie; she 1) admitted her mistake to me, 2) apologized profusely to me, 3) I FORGAVE her, and 4) she promised that would NEVER happen again. TO MY FACE! I believe her."

"Eddie, you should not be on a training team with Sydney Ann Davenport! My final answer!"

"WHAT? Jameson Reagan . . . stay right there."

Eddie turns and goes into their walk-in closet. He can hear her rooting around for 3". She comes out and tosses something at him.

Her softball glove!

"Remember this? What did we learn Jamie?"

"This isn't the same, Ed." He allowed the glove to fall to the floor.

"Of course, it isn't . . . but it is! What did we learn?"

Silence as he looks to the floor.

"We learned to say – if it were me, I wouldn't. Remember now?"

"Yes, but-

"But what?" She has arms on hi]ps.

He shakes his head and walks out.

She sits on the bed for a minute, then gets up and walks to the kitchen. She finds him at the sink, staring out the window at the back yard. She wraps her arms around his waist.

"Jamie, forget that lunch. I have. When was the last time she acted like she wanted a 2nd chance with the two of you?"

"Long time ago."

"How long? Think, please."

"8-9 years ago, probably."

"And what happened 5-6 years ago, with her?"

"I don't know, Ed!"

"You do. I'll remind you. Syd started going by Annie AND she met Gregg Wells. I'm not sure of the order."

"So what?"

"Jamie, I believe the woman who wanted a 2nd chance is gone. Gone, gone, gone. She has moved on and met her future. Now as for me, I am going to invite her back onto the training team. Unless Nicky violently opposes that."

"And if Nicky opposes?"

"I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Now, come on. Back to getting ready for bed."

She grasps a hand and pulls him after her.

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ST BRIDGET, LUNCH

David Walden makes his way through the lunch line. He selects his food and walks over to Mal's table. He sits across from her.

"Mal, I have a note from my mother. For you and your mom. I'll give it to you after school."

"No, don't do that. Father Abram called my mom, about us passing notes. He said it is frowned upon between underclassmen."

"WHAT?" Several kids erupt.

"Yup. Give it to me now, please."

"Ok," he takes a bite and rushes off.

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ON THE ISLAND, AFTER SCHOOL

"Mom, I have a note from David's mom."

"In the office, sweetie."

They read the note:

Malina and Mrs. Reagan,

I would be pleased to have your daughter help me in my catering business. Can we get together and talk? My number is 555-555-5555. Leave a message if I am not available.

I am not sure about paying Malina, as she is a minor. We can talk about that.

Looking forward to meeting. David says Mal is a very nice girl.

Sincerely,

Bev Walden

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TBC