AND LOVE CHAP 109 Joke night
ABDUL HOUSEHOLD
RING
"Sheriff Abdul here, who is calling?"
"Mohammed, this is Raoul. I have a problem that I believe you can solve."
"Yes, my brother. What is it?"
"My chief of security has left the firm."
"Oh, just a moment."
Mohammed steps away from the kitchen table, and steps into his home office. "Yes, Raoul, you may go ahead now."
"My security chief led a commando raid recently and did not survive."
"You wish me to replace him?"
"Yes, but I would not command you to personally go on such 'adventure'."
"Would I be mocked if I do not?"
"No, I guarantee it."
"How long may I consider this?"
"1 week please." Raoul offers.
"I can do that, good-bye."
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ON THE ISLAND – BEDTIME
"Eddie, love?" Jamie is undressing for bed.
"Um, yes," she's suspicious with such a start. She just slipped on her favorite pale green camisole.
"What do you think of home schooling?"
"Where did this come from?"
"Mary Rose."
"What?"
"You remember the proposal from our friends at Saddle Rock Ranch?"
"Yes."
"Well, I talked with Mary Rose. When I mentioned hiring Timmy, she mentioned that she could do more if she wasn't in school."
"And you brought up home school! How could you! I already-
"No, no! She brought it up."
"And you said NO! Didn't you?"
"I said that I would think about it. Which obviously meant 1st talking with you, babe." He's trying to avoid a full-on blow up. "She thanked me; saying many friends get that NO without discussion."
"Jamie-
"I know, love. You cannot add this to your plate."
"So, can we use her idea to springboard to something?" Eddie pauses. "Nicky?"
"Nicky? A home school teacher? Shall we talk with her?"
"Why not?" Eddie smirks.
Jamie's cell buzzes – a TXT.
MD: Can we talk about an NYC long weekend? 2 families?
Jamie shows his phone to Eddie. They look at each other.
"Why not? I'd like to strengthen our friendship.'"
"I agree."
JR: talk now?
2 MINUTES
Jamie's phone rings; they talk and set up a weekend.
NEXT DAY – SUPPER
"Sissy, this manicotti is great! Is this one of GG's recipes," Cassie asks of Malina.
"No, actually it's one of David's mothers. He mentioned it once at lunch."
"David? Who is David?" Mary Rose probes.
"A classmate. His mom runs a catering business. I have 2 other recipes from her, haven't tried them yet."
Jamie and Eddie look at each other, raised eyebrows.
"You know Mal, with GG gone maybe David's mom could teach you some things. If she were willing, that is." Dad brings up.
"Well . . . I had thought of-
Mal covers her face with her hands and starts to cry. Cassie and Mary Rose jump up and embrace their sister. They hold on until she gathers herself.
"What is it, sweetie," Eddie asks softly.
"I thought of asking you and daddy if I could, maybe, help her sometimes. But with GG gone so recently, I couldn't ask."
"Sweetie, I think that is a good idea. I do think that dad and I would want to meet her first, before we give the ok." Jamie nods at that.
"Really? May I send her a message thru David?"
"Yes, you may," Jamie answers.
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Porsche Huntington
"Hi, is Gregg Wells around?" Jamie has the afternoon off and is taking the Chevelle out for some exercise. Eddie has told him about Gregg's enthusiasm when she mentioned the Chevelle; so, he thought he'd have some fun.
"The boss? Yeah, he's here somewhere. Just a sec."
Soon a big guy appears, wiping his hands on a red rag. "I'm Gregg, what can I do for you?"
"Hi, I'm Eddie Reagan's husband, Jamie." He extends his hand for a hearty shake. They do just that.
A million & 1 things race thru Gregg's mind! What to say? What not to say? He plays it cool.
"Reagan? Ah, yes. She told me you have a classic Chevelle SS!"
"I do. Would you like to take her for a spin?"
Jamie cannot help laughing at the look on Gregg's face.
"You've got to be kidding!"
"Nope," Jamie tosses him the keys, which Gregg deftly catches. "I must be co-pilot though." Jamie grins.
"Give me 5."
"You got it," Jamie sits and waits.
On eastern Long Island there are some nice long stretches of highway – if you know where to find them.
Gregg Wells has previously found them. As they sit at the end of one long stretch, ready to turn around so Jamie can take the wheel and head back, Gregg speaks up.
"You know my wife." Not a question.
"Annie, I believe Eddie said."
"Yes, Sydney Ann Davenport." Gregg watches Jamie's face. It's comical.
"NO." Shock, surprise, more that Gregg can't decipher.
"Yup, she goes by Annie now. Has for 5-6 years or so. She's not hiding or anything, really not."
Jamie is speechless.
"She has told me about you . . . and her. Not everything, no worries, bud. She admits she made a mistake. But with you married to the NYPD – which she understands now – she says it wouldn't have worked. We've been together 5 years. Going great! Annie lawyering her heart out, me fixing high-end cars. Couldn't be better! Say, the cat let loose of your tongue yet?" Gregg throws Jamie a grin and the keys. He gets out and they change places.
Before he starts her up, he turns to Gregg. "When did you pull it all together?"
"At the shop, when you introduced yourself."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Annie told me about a Jamie and all. But never the current details."
"Huh. You know, we could have a little fun with this."
"Yes, we could. You like karaoke?"
"Honestly, no. But-
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2 WEEKS LATER – Thursday
"I cannot believe we are doing this, Jamie."
"Why?" He acts puzzled.
"You hate karaoke!"
"Hate is a strong word, babe."
"Not strong enough." She frowns.
"Sweetheart . . . right girl, right place, right time. I. Am. In."
"Something is up your sleeve."
"Just my well-toned arm. You ready?"
"Do you want me looking like I just left yoga class?"
"Ah . . . no."
"Then I'll be ready in 20."
She was, oh so ready! Short, tight, shimmery silver sleeveless dress. Golden waves covering her shoulders. Light, natural makeup. A slow pirouette in the LR.
Her willpower gets them to karaoke. Not his.
2 HOURS EARLIER
"WHY!" Annie barks!
"I like it, that's why."
"I haven't worn this since . . . OMG! Since we met. What's up, Gregg Wells."
"I love you in all Black Leather. Can you still get into it, hon?" He smirks in the other room.
"YES, I can get into it. You should know!" 'His hands' She shivers.
She prances out to the LR and does a slow pirouette.
'I shouldn't have wasted this on a practical joke night. Too late now'.
"Like?" Annie purrs. Leather, all black, short/tight, mid-thigh, sleeveless. Milk chocolate in waves covering her shoulders. Smoky makeup. It's her will power that gets them out of the house.
He jumps up and moves toward her.
She stops him; "You said karaoke, we're doing karaoke! I'm driving."
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Christmas Karaoke, Bayside NY
Jamie and Eddie arrive 1st. Eddie gives Gregg's card to the hostess who seats them on a left mid table.
After 12 minutes Gregg and Annie arrive. They are seated at a right mid table.
It is difficult for the two tables to see each other when seated. Of course.
After 10 minutes, Gregg gets up and sings a solo with the best baritone voice Jamie and Eddie have ever heard. As he finishes 1) he goes to the DJ and requests a song, while 2) Jamie gets up and goes to stand behind the right-side tables. 3) Gregg goes to Jamie and Eddie's table, bows and asks Eddie for this dance, and 4) the DJ announces invited dancers only. Eddie blushing, complies.
After 1 minute, allowing Annie to get just a little worked up, Jamie comes up by her side. He leans over by her ear, "May I have this dance, beautiful?" She jumps a bit, then recognizes the voice. She tenses, but Jamie gently takes her arm and helps her stand. He takes her hand, placing it in the crook of his elbow and leads them to the small dance floor – only 2 couples.
Jamie's left arm surrounds her waist, his right holds her left hand. Her right hand finds his left shoulder. As they start to sway to the slow song, he pulls 'Annie' closer, "It's been a long time." He murmurs. She slightly nods. She looks over at Gregg and Eddie, smiling and dancing.
It dawns on her. "You two," she softly huffs.
"Just enjoy the evening, Annie. Please," he whispers.
"I'll try." She snuggles closer.
When the song finishes, the gentlemen lead their ladies back to Jamie and Eddie's table.
"Are introductions needed?" Gregg voices. "I know everybody," he smirks. Almost laughing.
"So do I," adds Jamie. "Now."
The girls scowl. "If we weren't so much ladies," Eddie points between herself and 'Annie', "you two would be bounced right out of here!"
"On your asses!" Annie emphasizes.
In 2 seconds, the table erupts in laughter.
After settling down Eddie points out, "See, it takes a practical joke to get (Ed thot of inserting Harvard) Jameson here to a karaoke club."
"It has been a long time," Annie raised an eyebrow.
"Well, now that we're friends, and you have my card, we expect you to be regulars. Damn, I'd pay to see, and dance with, you two!" Gregg lets out a low whistle – Jamie holds up his long-neck and they toast to that.
The girls roll their eyes and wink.
They talk for another 40", Gregg and Annie do a duet, and they leave.
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DRIVING HOME
Jamie and Eddie drive in silence for a while. Finally, "When did you find out?" Eddie asks.
"When I let him drive the Chevelle."
"After I-
"Yup, this was his idea."
"All his?"
"Well, I didn't object."
"And added an idea or two?" She guesses.
"Maybe."
"Hmpf."
It was fun, and sill be. Tie a red ribbon-
G & A
"That black leather is the cat's meow, babe!"
"You don't need to plan a practical joke night. But that is so you."
"Wear it again?"
"So you can take it off?" She scrunches up her nose.
"Maybe." He swerves, then gets back in his lane.
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TBC