AND LOVE CHAP 158
Evaluations
IN THE BARN
Cassie and Josh, doing chores again! It seems like this is the best place to have privacy and talk.
"When do you need to be at Rutgers, babe?" Cassie starts.
"Monday July 20, practice starts. I'm driving down Saturday the 18th. Zeke and I are rooming together. Can you come that weekend and help me get settled?"
"I surely hope so. I start my NY-1 TV internship Monday the 13th. I don't know my schedule, or duties for that matter. Which vehicle did you decide to keep and use?"
"I'm keeping the Ford F-150 pickup. It's only 4 years old, and in better shape than the Chevy Impala. That's this next Monday for your internship!"
"Yeah, so I won't have much control of my schedule. I just hope I don't have to work that 1st weekend."
"I hope so too. Hey, are you done with Hero's stall?"
"Yes, I'm moving to Betsy."
"Do we know if she's pregnant?" Josh is curious.
"I haven't heard if Donna has said." Cassie frowns.
"Well, Mary Rose would be going bananas if she was, right?" Josh grins.
"Yes, definitely. And that hasn't happened, yet."
Josh finishes and helps her with the last of Betsy's soiled straw. He wheels the barrow out to the manure pile and empties it. He wheels back in just as she puts the last tools away. He wraps his arms around her and plants a passionate kiss on her lips.
"Easy lover boy, we need to put down clean straw."
"Hmpf . . . I had something else in mind."
"I could tell. Shake a leg, buddy."
He does, and chases her to the house back door. He catches Cass at the door, just as dad opens it. Jamie clears his throat, then bursts into laughter.
"Your intentions, son?" He gives Josh his most stern fatherly look.
"Ah . . . to kiss your daughter, sir."
"Very good, carry on." Jamie passes them as he heads to the barn himself.
Casie looks to Josh, they burst out laughing, then smooch.
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SATURDAY
Cassie starts her internship on Monday. To celebrate, sort of:
Jamie and Eddie with kids are meeting Josh and Cassie, Frank and Kelly for lunch at Bayside Café. They are seated at 3 different tables so as not to appear as a group. This is everyone's 1st visit; so, neither Michael nor any staff know them.
Kelly had translated the restaurant review form into an app for their phones. Everyone uses their phones all the time, everywhere. Right? Right. They were encouraged to be as unobtrusive as possible.
Josh, Eddie and Kelly were elected to give their waitress a moderately hard time, to gauge the response. Mal had volunteered to send texts of suggested foods to order. The goal was to get a reading on as wide a variety of options as possible. Patrick and AJ were stuck on a burger and FF. The adults were encouraged to be more creative.
Jamie whispered, "I'll try the mac & cheese."
"What! And compare it to Alston's," Eddie whispers back.
"Yup, compare it to the best!"
Kelly orders; "Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, please. Ah, the meatloaf medium rare."
The waitress looks askance, "Sorry ma'am. The meatloaf only comes well done. Is that acceptable?"
"No, that is not OK. Please send the chef out to discuss this." Kelly does her best to look perturbed.
"Very well ma'am. May I take the rest-
"No, you may not. Get him or her now. Thank you, dearie."
The waitress hurries off.
Several eye rolls, a snicker or two.
"Easy," from Frank.
"You do your job, I'll do mine," Kelly retorts.
The chef comes out, waitress Abby in tow. They stop by Kelly and Frank. Michael speaks, "You were wanting medium-rare meatloaf, ma'am?"
"Yes, sir. Is that available?"
"No, ma'am. The NY health department will not allow restaurants to serve meatloaf that way. I'm sorry. What can we get you instead?" He pauses to make sure things are ok, then heads back to the kitchen as Kelly politely makes an alternate order.
Josh has surreptitiously snuck a small piece of bubble gum onto the back of his spoon. When Abby comes to him and Cassie, he holds it up. "Who washes dishes around here, Miss?"
She takes the spoon, looks closely and apologizes. She pockets the spoon in her apron pocket, takes their order and turns it in. 15 seconds later she returns with a clean spoon, and apologizes again.
Eddie had carefully perused the menu – she hadn't seen anything but ketchup for a dip for the boys FF. When Abby arrived, "May my boys get buttermilk ranch or tartar sauce to dip the FF, please?"
"Surely, I'll bring both of those with the FF. And you and the gentleman?"
Eddie ordered a Reuben sandwich and potato salad; Jamie the mac & cheese and a side salad.
The orders were out promptly, Abby delivered them flawlessly. Hot foods were reasonably hot, cold foods were cold. Everything was tasty. Eval forms were completed and emailed to Annie. Everyone left a generous tip.
TXT:
FR 2 JR: Shall we reveal ourselves?
JR 2 FR: Not yet.
ER & KO frown to their man.
FR & JR, finger to lips. Mouth L8R.
Girls shrug.
Abby appears, announcing to the room – "Anyone for dessert? We have chocolate & butterscotch pudding; hot fudge or strawberry sundaes; apple or lemon meringue pie. I will circulate and take orders. Thank you for dining with us today."
TXT:
JR 2 Group: Very nice touch!
All 2 JR: YES!
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MONDAY THE 13TH
Cassie drives into Manhattan, to the NY-1 TV studios. She was to be there at 08:00; she arrived at 07:50; she parks in the garage using the parking pass provided. Getting used to traffic and travel times will take her a while; she hopes to ride the LIRR once she knows her schedule. That will take some time.
The receptionist gives her directions to Faith's office. She meets Faith and Bill Whittaker again. After a brief talk, Bill takes her to his office. There he directs her to sit.
"Cassie, we were recommended to review the work you and Josh Allen did on the St Bridgett school paper and yearbook. Faith and I were very impressed. Then we discovered that you are headed to Rutgers SAS, for video production. Your stock rose even more. Faith and I talked, and decided to offer you 1 of our 2 summer internships. We were pleased when you accepted."
He paused.
"Thank, you. I am really looking forward to this. I hope my work will be satisfactory." She blushes a tinge.
"I'm sure it will. Now the work you will be doing won't be glamorous; today we are shooting 3 short community service videos. You will be operating 1 of 3 cameras – under the supervision of a veteran cameraman."
He pauses to look for something on his desk.
"May I ask a question, sir?"
Hede looks up and smiles. "Sir? No need for sir around here. It's Bill or Faith, please. And go ahead."
"My boyfriend, Josh, is moving into a dorm at Rutgers this weekend. He-
"Hopes you can help him get settled?"
"Well, yes. May I do that, si . . . er Bill?"
"Yes, you may. Your usual schedule will be Monday thru Thursday. If we need you other days, I will let you know. I will be sure to block you off for this weekend. Anything else?"
"Yes, does anyone have an LIRR schedule pamphlet and a subway route map. I'd like to use public transit if I can."
"Well, I would prefer that a young lady such as yourself drive and park here at NY-1. It's safer. Can you do that?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Here is a building map. The studios we are using for the shooting today are circled. Follow me, Cassie."
They are off.
Her day begins.
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ON THE ISLAND
"I'm home!" Cassie shouts.
Her brothers tackle her to the foyer floor.
"Easy guys, I'm not indestructible."
"Sissy a TV star!" AJ proudly proclaims.
"No AJ, I just operated a camera today."
"I take pictures," he waves his phone around. "Can I come with you, pease?"
"No, sorry."
Josh appears and offers his hand, helping her up. "So, what about this weekend?"
"I'm good. Bill said that mt usual schedule will be Monday thru Thursday. He is going to make sure I am free this weekend."
"Who is this Bill?" Josh asks as they mosey toward the kitchen.
"He is Faith Adams lead producer. He's my boss, I assume. He's so nice. I asked for public transit information; he said that he would rather I drive and park in the NY-1 garage. He thinks it's safer."
"It is," mom adds. "He sounds like a real gentleman, Cassie."
"Yeah, I got that feeling." Cassie says.
"Everybody sit, please. Supper is ready," Mal announces.
Mary Rose offers the blessing: "All we have is of thee, Father GOD. Accept our thanks and bless us; that we may continue to do Thy will. AMEN."
"Very nice, sissy," Cassie compliments her.
"Thanks. Now, how was our very own TV star's 1st day," she asks as the spaghetti is passed to her.
Cassie laughs, "As I have said, all I did was operate a camera. We shot 3 PSAs today."
"PSA?" Dad is puzzled.
"Public service announcements."
"Ah, I get it," mom concedes. "Were you nervous?"
"At first. But I had an experienced cameraman talking to me."
"Talking? During a shoot?" Mom asks. (She knows)
"Yes, in my earpiece. It is kinda strange, but you get used to it."
"And she gets this weekend off; so she can come to Rutgers and help me get settled." Josh turns to Cass and gives her a peck on the lips. A spot of red sauce sticks to her lip; he gently brushes it off.
"Yes, I've talked with Katy. We are going to ride together, and help our guys get settled." Cassie adds.
"Your guys?" Mal frowns.
"Yes. Katy is Zeke's girlfriend. Zeke and I are going to be roommates," Josh fills in as he twirls another forkful of pasta.
"Who's driving," dad inquires.
"I will. I am looking forward to a road trip in my new car," Cassie beams.
"Zeke and I will follow in my truck. He doesn't have a car, yet."
"Ah, a good thing you decided to keep the pickup," dad opines. "You have plenty of room for your stuff."
"Yup, I didn't think of that at the time though. It just worked out. Another piece of garlic bread, please?"
The bread is passed.
RING – MARY ROSE'S CELL
"Hello, Donna?"
"Yes . . . um . . . ok," she hangs up. A moment of silence, then she explodes – "Oh my god! Donna is coming to check Betsy!" She bolts from the table, dashing for the stairs.
The family look at each other.
"And so it begins," mom mutters.
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TBC