AND LOVE CHAP 163
Struck, smitten
St. Vic's cafeteria
"Paula, great to see you. It's been a while," Linda Reagan is meeting her colleague and friend for supper.
Paula Hill slips into line beside Linda. "Yes, the scheduling gremlins seem to be against us. How have you and Danny been?"
Linda frowns, dropping her head.
"Oh, no. I didn't mean to-
"No, Paula. You had no idea. Danny hasn't been himself for weeks now."
Paula lays a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Can I do anything for you?"
"No. He requested a promotion at work-
"And the answer was no, right?"
"You are so smart."
"Lin, it was written all over your face."
"What will you ladies have?" They have reached the 1st server. They make their choices, receive their food and get a beverage and find a secluded table.
"So Paula, what's new with you and Joe?"
"We tried a new café out on the island. It was really good." She holds back on Abby/Joe. There's nothing there yet, is there?
"Oh, what's the name of it?" Linda wonders.
"Bayside Café. Have you heard of it?"
"Are you kidding me?" Lin is taken aback.
"Not kidding. Why?" Paula wonders.
"My brother-in-law Jamie Reagan is part owner!"
"What? For real?"
"Yes. He and Eddie formed an ownership group and bought out 3 former owners who were looking to get out. Eddie asked me and Danny if we would eat there and do a review. We don't really want to drive way out there just for that."
"Oh . . . Joe and I could do that."
"Yeah? I have a review form in my locker, in the ER. Let's stop by after we5're done, I'll give it to you. Just copy it – the instructions are on the back."
"Let's do that." 'Joseph's lucky day.' Mother smiles to herself.
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BAYSIDE CAFÉ
Michael & Abby have the dining room cleaned and set up for tomorrow. They sit, relaxed, eating the last piece of pie with their coffee.
"Abs, I saw how that gentleman looked at you. The mother/son duo. He looked rather smitten. Yes?"
"Daddy! Your imagination is working overtime, I think."
"Ah . . . I don't think so. I used to look at your mother like that. I recognize that look."
"Did you look at yourself in a mirror, daddy?"
"I have pictures. Shall I show you some?"
"Yup. After we get home." She smirks.
"Game on, baby."
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ON THE ISLAND, UPSTAIRS – BEDTIME
"Cassie?"
"Yeah, Jules?"
"Is all this real?"
"What?"
"Us finding each other; your mom and dad embracing me like a long-lost daughter; your grandpa taking on my school bills; St Bridget not batting an eye; your siblings welcoming me like-
"Just wait 'till you get my bill," giggles from the top bunk.
"Quiet, little one!" Cass huffs.
A pillow smacks Cassie in the face. "I'M NOT LITTLE!"
A return pillow smacks Mary Rose.
Mal throws a pair of jeans.
THE WAR IS ON. SHOUTING, LAUGHING, GIGGLING, SCREAMING, THROWING VARIOUS ARTICLES OF CLOTHING.
"QUIET!" Dad stands in the doorway, hands on hips, a stray pair of undies on his head. Eddie just behind him, a hand over mouth to stifle a laugh. Ineffectively, I might add. He slowly pulls the panties off, glaring.
"And here I thought you only did that with mine," his wife whispers.
"That was not helpful," he mutters.
The girls lie face down on their beds; burying faces in pillows to stop giggles. It doesn't work.
"Ok, who started this?" Dad inquires.
4 girls raise their hands.
"Told you so," Eddie smirks.
"Straighten this room up, and go to sleep. If I hear a peep out of this room tonight, you are all grounded for 1 week. Understood?"
"Yes, daddy." Four small voices respond.
Jamie and Eddie quietly leave.
Jules whispers, "Man, my mom would have hit me. Your dad was . . . kind, by comparison!"
"That's our mom and dad," Cass whispers back.
"QUIET," Mal whispers.
They work in silence, straightening the room. Then they hug, and go back to bed.
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RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
Josh and Zeke are back in their room after supper. One thing they learned right away. Div-1 schools feed their top athletes very, very well.
"Have you ever eaten this well J?"
"Z, yeah. Cassie's little sister Mal, is an outstanding cook."
"What? She's just a kid man."
"Yeah, 13 y/o and in 8th grade. But she's great. Her great grandfather Henry, taught her lots before he passed. AND, Jamie and Eddie formed an ownership group and bought a café for her to grow into."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, seriously. So, this is great, but not unprecedented for me."
KNOCK KNOCK
"I'll get it," Zeke proclaims. He opens the door a crack. There is that buxom black gal; she tries to enter as she says "May I come in?"
Zeke blocks her (He's an offensive lineman) allowing only a toe in. "Watch your foot!" He pushes her back and slams the door.
They hear swearing and pounding on the door for a moment.
"Call the desk," Zeke mutters to Josh. He does.
An assistant dean comes quickly, and hears the story.
"We can move you two to a room with a peep hole; or install one here by next week. Your choice."
"I would rather stay here," they both agree.
"Ok, I will place the work order. In the meantime, be careful, walk together in the halls, always."
"We will. Is there video surveillance, sir?"
"No, we don't have the budget for it."
"I just had a nice inheritance. Could I pay for it, in this one hall?" Josh inquires.
"You haven't signed a contract yet, Josh." The dean looks dubious.
"Yes. But do you have bids for the work? For one hall?"
"I will check for you."
"Thanks sir."
They shake on it.
"I wonder if Cassie's dad can help?" Z voices.
"Interesting thought," Josh wonders too.
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ON THE ISLAND – RING, RING
"It's Josh!" Cassie scampers upstairs; Mary Rose gets up to follow. Juliet stops her; "Hey, get out of my way!"
"No, give your sister some privacy." Jules insists.
"You can't boss me around! You aren't my sister!" Mary Rose snorts.
Mal and the boys freeze. Mom and dad come out of the office, having heard Mary Rose's outburst. Juliet is looking around – as if she's looking for a place to hide. Has the bubble burst?
Jamie looks to Eddie; he motions to Juliet and mouths "upstairs".
"Juliet, come with me, please." Eddie takes her by the hand, leading her upstairs.
Jamie leads Mary Rose back into the office; "Sit please." He takes a deep breath and begins.
"Do you realize what you just said to Juliet?"
"Daddy, I'm sorry. That just . . . came out. I know Juliet isn't technically my sister but-
"But that is no way to treat her. She, like Cassie, has had a troublesome life. She needs and deserves our love and support. Not our sharp tongues."
"I know daddy. What do I do now?" A tear trickles down her cheek.
"What should you do? You know the answer, sweetie."
"Yes, I need to apologize and ask her forgiveness."
"And really mean it."
"I do, I will."
They embrace, daddy kisses her head, they go back out to the FR.
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UPSTAIRS
Cassie is on the phone with Josh. She looks up and sees a weepy Juliet led by mommy come into the bedroom.
Eddie speaks, "Can you give us a few, Cass?"
Cassie nods. "Josh, can I call you back, babe?" She listens and nods, hangs up and exits. She goes out to the barn and sits, propped up against the wall. She presses redial.
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TBC