AND LOVE CHAP 156
CELEBRATIONS
ABOVE THE BARN
Wedding planning
"Jimmy, I just had an epiphany!" Nicky exclaims.
"Is that something like an elephant, or something?" He deadpans.
She looks at him, like she doesn't know this guy. "Ah, no. It's like an idea that just pops into your head."
"Oh . . . ok. What popped, babe?" He smirks.
"Well, we have the 3 J's studying for conversion."
"Yes, so?"
"So, we could have a triple baptism. Correct?"
"Correct. And?"
"My mom and dad had a civil ceremony at city hall when they got remarried. They have made noise about wishing for a church wedding." Nicky pauses.
"Oh . . . OH! We are engaged, we could do a double wedding!" He thinks, "But Nick. Every little girl wants her own wedding, babe. Do you want your mom crashing your party? Really?"
She looks down at their entwined fingers. "You've got a point . . . but a double wedding with my mom and dad would be special. In its own way. Could you support that?" She looks at her lover, hopeful.
"I will support whatever you want. I just want to end that day married to you, and your catholic husband. Nothing else really matters. Just as long as your mom and dad don't make complete fools of themselves."
"I will make sure they don't."
"Ok. So we have some convincing to do." Jimmy pulls her tight to himself, and kisses her deeply.
The convincing wasn't hard. They all got to work on a Sunday July 5 ceremony. The hardest part would be securing their desired venue.
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Davenport, Erickson & Jackson
Annie Davenport welcomes Josh, Cassie, Jamie and Eddie to her office.
"Welcome, everyone. Josh, I have met twice with Bill Dalton and his attorney. Two crooked guys, I'll tell you, frankly. The best I have gotten for you is – he will reduce his share to 20%. To improve that . . . we will need to go to court. And honestly, that would probably be a crap shoot. I don't recommend it."
"50% is very high for a non-related attorney," Jamie states. "But if the will is solid, why would he come down that much?"
"I think they both are desperate to avoid exposing themselves. That really is our best weapon."
"Yeah, I get that." Jamie agrees.
"So, where does that leave me?" Josh inquires.
"He has backed away from the house. That is yours to deal with on your own. May I assume you will sell?"
"Yes, I will."
"May I suggest investing in some fixing up?"
"Definitely. Ideas?"
"Yes, I can recommend a realtor Gregg and I have used. Katy Brown, she can recommend and arrange for work to be done – at a reasonable cost and top quality."
Annie opens a desk drawer, and hands Josh a card.
"Thanks, Annie. Other than the house, where does he stand?" Cassie asks.
"Despite being a crooked ass, Dalton was a good lawyer. The feds could not prove that any assets were dirty.
"We found:
Cash in accounts of $250,000.
Stocks/bonds worth $100,000, at current market rates,
2 vehicles; Gregg had appraised as worth $40,000.
2 country club memberships. Worthless to you, unless you care to continue to use them.
Whole life insurance worth $250,000 each parent. $500,000 total.
Excluding the house, estimate including sales of the the above vehicles: $890,000.
Your 80% share = $712,000.
I think you should net $400,000 from the house.
Leaving you an estimated $1,112,000.
My advice – carefully invest the proceeds;
You should evaluate the stocks & bonds and either leave them alone or reinvest in other securities,
Sell the house and invest the proceeds,
Maybe use one of the vehicles, sell the other – maybe for parts,
Or buy a more suitable vehicle,
Safeguard the cash in reasonably long-term CDs,
See if you can transfer the life insurance to yourself; if not, cash out and maybe purchase a term life policy,
Safeguard all of the above and give yourself a reasonable monthly allowance.
"That is a lot, Josh. How do you wish me to proceed?"
"Wow! Thanks Annie. Please contact that realtor and proceed as you've discussed today."
"Thanks so much, Annie!" Cassie sheds a few tears.
"I will do that. And the rest?"
"Well, as my agent, will you handle things please?"
"I can and will. Many young people in your position will hire a financial planner, advisor."
"No, I trust you. I don't want a multitude of people grasping for a piece of Josh Allen!"
The group chuckle.
"Thank you for your trust, Josh."
"Thank you, Annie."
"Can you give me an allowance amount? And the bank account information, where you would like the deposit?"
He supplies that; they talk later about Annie5's fee.
They all exchange pleasantries; the group exits.
"Well, we will treat. Where should we go, dear?" Jamie looks to his foodie wife.
"Noah's Jewish deli," she grins.
They all agree!
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Graduation
Josh Allen is graduating from St Bridget HS. Coincidentally, Cassie has been elected junior class VP. So, she will be marching with the President – ushering the seniors to their seats. Jamie and Eddie, and Cassie's siblings are beyond excited. Cassie is a nervous wreck.
Josh had wanted her to wear the Spring Festival gown. Her mother had an absolute fit – using her mom's VETO!
Mother won, of course.
Instead, they compromised on a royal blue pencil skirt with a sleeveless, white silk blouse. The skirt ended just above the knee, and had a left-sided slit to 3" above the hem.
Josh world be wearing his usual black tuxedo. Cassie loved him in his tux. She loved him in anything.
Marching rehearsal went well. Josh and Cassie controlled the flirting, mostly. Their classmates knew what was going on – there was some eye rolling, a few glares, some shrugs.
And some jealousy. Cassie tried to ignore it all. Josh let it roll off his back – at least to outward appearances. Mal stood in as assistant family photographer. Cassie had been giving her some tips beforehand.
Josh was thankful that he hadn't won any awards, so he didn't have a speech to deliver. Their team had placed 3rd in the catholic district playoffs; so no awards were garnered. Cassie just knew that at Rutgers, with better players around him, things would improve. Josh and the university had high hopes that world be the case.
The after-ceremony reception was held in the gym. Cassie sat at a table with Josh, Zeke and Katy. Several classmates stopped by to have both guys sign their yearbooks. A few asked Cassie and Katy to do the same. Cass wondered if anyone knew her except as Josh's girlfriend. Josh told the table that someday her signature would be worth more than his. Everyone laughed, Cassie blushed. She wondered if it was possible. She doubted it.
Afterwards, Cassie drove them all home. She dropped Zeke and katy off at Zeke's home, then back to the Reagan Ranch.
Her younger siblings swarmed the dressed-up couple. Mom and Mal took oodles of pictures including video. Then Jamie and Eddie presented Josh with his graduation present.
A new cell phone. Not much? Well, Jamie had TARU set it up with GPS transmitter, auto emergency calling and find-a-phone apps. On the home screen was a small red/white target. 3 quick taps and an emergency TXT was sent to Cassie, Jamie and Eddie and grandpa Frank. Jamie had gotten permission from the admin executive team to do this. Josh was blown away. The extent that this family had gone to embrace him; opening their arms and their home was incredible. He felt blessed, truly blessed.
After he retired to bed, he tossed and turned. Sleep wasn't coming. About 1:30 AJ awoke. He lay in bed, listening to his 'big brother' toss and turn. He got up, walked to Josh's bed and kneeled beside it. He reached up and rubbed Josh's back. "Josh, what's wrong?"
The older boy rolled over, looked at AJ and started to cry. Josh Allen doesn't cry!
"What's the matter," AJ whispered.
Josh swung his legs out, and sat on the floor next to AJ. He held the little boy in his arms, "I'm so lucky AJ."
"I know."
"You do?"
"Yes. This whole family loves you."
Josh cries harder, holding AJ tight. He often thinks of AJ as just a little kid. How could he understand things like this? But he does understand familial love. It's more like a heart thing, not a brain thing. Even AJ's young, little heart gets it – and responds. Josh is starting to get it too. And respond.
He helps AJ back to bed, listens to the simple prayer, kisses the little forehead and tucks the little guy in.
As he heads back to his own bed, the door opens a crack. Eddie sticks her head in. "All Ok?" She whispers.
"Yeah, AJ and I were having a man to man. He was comforting me."
Eddie smiles, "Good." She ducks out, closing the door softly.
He shuffles to his bed. 'Wow, this is some family.'
Sleep comes easier now for Josh Allen.
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ON THE ISLAND
Front door chime sounds. "It's a man and a lady," Mal shouts.
"I've got it," Eddie responds. She speaks into her smart phone. "Reagan residence, Mrs. Reagan speaking. Identify yourselves, please."
"Faith Adams of NY-1 TV. With Bill Whittaker; my producer." They stand there, looking around.
Eddie hurries to the door and opens it.
"Eddie Reagan," she extends a hand and welcomes them in. "Welcome, please follow me." She leads them to the office; they take seats.
"Mal, come here please, the office." Mal shows up in jean shorts and a t-shirt, bare footed. "Our daughter Malina. Sweetie, what do we have cold in the fridge?"
Faith starts to wave that off; Mal starts, "San Pellegrino, lemonade, Coke, Coors light, OJ – I think that's it, mom."
Eddie looks at their guests, questioningly.
They are silent.
"I will have San Pellegrino, honey," Eddie starts. "Will you join me?"
They both nod.
"Ice?" Mal inquires.
2 affirmative nods. Mal bows slightly and exits. When she returns with 3 tall glasses, 3 cubes in each, she hands each adult a glass and pours. Before she leaves, she asks "Munchies, anyone?"
Faith does wave this off. Bill looks disappointed; like he was enjoying the service. The young girl exits, gracefully.
Faith and Bil give each other the eye. Faith turns to Eddie.
"We are wondering if Cassandra is home?"
"Yes, she's around somewhere. I will text her." Mom taps out a TXT:
ER: Cass to the office please, guests
CR: 3
ER: ok
"She will be here in 3 minutes. May I ask what you want with her?"
Cassie skips in, stops and stands by her mother's chair.
Faith starts, "Cassie, we want to talk with you about a summer internship with NY-1 TV."
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TBC
A/N: How much more complicated can this family get? The thought of spinning off "Mal's Bayside Café" has crossed my mind. I don't think I can handle that. Interesting thought.