AND LOVE CHAP 165
Trouble in New Jersey
Rutgers University
Men's athletics dormitory
Cassie and Katy have driven over for a surprise visit. Using the spare room key Josh had given her, Cassie let them into the room. Katy flops on a love seat. Cassie heads to Josh's bedroom. "Katy, I've got a little present. I'm going to put it on Josh's desk."
"Ok."
Soon, Katy hears a scream. She tenses as Cassie storms by and flings open the door. "HE PROMISED! HE PROMISED!" Cassie shouts as she roars past Katy, slamming the door behind her as she exits.
Katy slips into Josh's room and looks around. She sees a small wrapped present on the desk. Next to it is a ring. Josh's promise ring! OH NO! Katy leaves well enough alone. She slips back out to the common area and sits.
Should she call Cassie? And say what? But her ride home just stormed out the door.
Should she call Josh? She doesn't want to give him the news. What was the news anyway?
20" later the guys fly in. They stop short.
"Katy, babe. Didn't expect you."
"Obviously." Her cold voce.
"What does that mean," Zeke feels trouble.
Josh goes to his room. Soon Katy and Zeke hear a choking sound. He comes out holding the small present in one hand, and his ring in the other. He looks to Katy, "Cassie?"
Katy just nods, says nada.
Josh looks to Zeke, "SHIT!"
Zeke turns to Katy, "Where did she go?"
"Out."
"Just out?"
"Yup."
"Did she say anything?"
"Yes."
"Well?"
"HE PROMISED! HE PROMISED!"
Josh cringes. "Was she angry?"
Katy stands, "What the hell do you think. Huh?" She stomps to the bathroom. Soon the guys hear her throwing up.
Zeke goes to the door, "Katy, babe. Can I help?"
"NO!"
He goes back and sits down.
Josh calls Cassie's phone; voce mail, new message. "I'll call you back when I feel like it." Beep.
He leaves a message – "I am so sorry Cassie. It's not what it looks like. Please call me, I love you. I really do."
He tosses his phone on the couch.
"I told you we shouldn't do this," Zeke throws at his roommate.
"Shut up!" Josh sits, with his head in his hands.
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Cass listens to his message.
"It looked like you took your ring off," she screams. "Or am I a damn moron?"
She drives on.
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REST STOP – NEW JERSEY
Before Cassie crosses the bridge into NY she stops for a break. She needs to calm her nerves, seriously. She knows that she has been speeding; dad will seriously punish her if she gets caught. Her phone pings, a TXT.
Katy: Is my ride coming back? Please
Cass: Oh . . . yeah. Sorry. Coast clear?
Katy: Will be. Promise.
Cass: I will hold U 2 that!
Katy: K
Cassie has a problem. She can't reverse directions w/o driving across into Manhattan. That will take 25" at least. As she stands, leaning against her car with tears in her eyes, a NJ state trooper walks by. He notices the girl in distress.
"Can I help you, ma'am?"
She startles, and looks up. "I . . . ah doubt it. But thanks."
He stops, and with hands on hips asks Cassie what her problem is. He looks sincere, so she spills her guts.
"Boyfriend, girlfriend trouble, eh. Believe me, I've been there." He thinks for a moment, then a smile brightens his face.
"Would you like to have some fun, Cassie?"
A smile brightens her face.
"I just clocked out, so I have a little time. There is an E-lane 100 yards up the freeway. I will drive to it with lights on. When I stop, cross over behind me and stop on the right side of the road. I will cross over and stop behind you; then you lead us to Rutgers, to the dorm. I will take it from there. Ok?"
"Ok," Cass smiles.
She gets back in her car and follows his directions.
On the way he calls a buddy. "Marcus, you just clocked out?"
"Yup, you too?"
"Yup. Want to deliver a young lady to Rutgers with me?"
LOL "Sure, the same old?"
"Essentially. Here's the score." Jake fills Marcus in on the issue; they set up their own little sting.
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RUTGERS ATHLETIC DORM
Katy is pissed. She has told Josh that Cassie is coming back to pick her up; and that she had promised that he wouldn't be around. She now knows it was a mistake to say anything. She might have convinced the guys to go on an errand for her.
NOT NOW.
Josh will not leave the room. Too bad for him.
BANG BANG BANG
Someone is pounding on the door. The dean and hall monitor on duty have been notified.
"New Jersey state police, open the door, now!"
The door doesn't open.
"We breach in 5, 4, 3, -
The hall monitor cringes, 'please don't break a door.'
"2-
The door opens a crack, the troopers breach – throwing Josh back on his ass. Jake stands over him, "On your feet, hands on the wall, legs spread Josh Allen!"
"You can't do-
Zeke finds himself on his own ass, courtesy of former Rutgers defensive end Marcus. "What can't we do? Punk?" Marcus looms over Zeke.
Both Josh and Zeke comply, a touch nervous now.
Katy glances at the doorway from her vantage point off to the side. She sees Cassie, out of sight to the others; her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. She catches on, and plays a part.
"Josh Allen, what did you get my Zeke into?" She starts to cry – for effect.
"Josh Allen, you were seen in the company of a known felon tonight. Explain yourself, NOW!" Jake barks out.
(Jake found this out when he cleared his actions with a supervisor. Josh and Zeke were on an unsuccessful sting of their own)
"It's not . . . ah, I can't say."
"Ok, you are both coming in with us," he starts to cuff Josh. Marcus the same with Zeke,
"Enough guys, please." Cassie steps into the room.
"You kids, sit down," Marcus barks.
They do, and Jake asks for an explanation.
Josh says he can't tell them what he and Zeke were doing.
"You couldn't tell me you were doing something that required you to take off my ring?" Cassie is teary eyed.
"You would have asked too many questions, Cass."
"And you didn't think you could trust me with some basic information?"
"I . . . I was under orders."
"Whoa now," Marcus interrupts. "Both Jake and I have been in this same situation."
Jake nods, and inserts "Yes, we have. And we both lost a girlfriend over it."
"In my case a fiancé," Marcus says.
"And believe me – it's not worth it!"
"Amen to that. So, our advice – get this settled, make up, and DO NOT DO THIS AGAIN!"
The troopers remove the cuffs, check to be sure all are ok and leave.
The couples sit, arm in arm.
Cassie starts, "Now what can you tell me, Josh?"
"We were on a sting, trying to get that black bitch that roams the halls sometimes to incriminate herself."
Cassie & Katie both laugh.
"What was that?" Zeke asks.
"And someone thought that you two, wet behind the ears college freshmen could outsmart her?" Katy laughs some more.
"Why not?" Josh seems incensed.
"Did it work, boys?" Cassie asks.
"No," Zeke admits. "We weren't even close."
"So, next time?" Cassie inquires.
"If we do this again-
"Seriously?"
"IF . . . we do this again, I will definitely give you at least a heads up. And mum's the word."
"Pro . . . wait, that didn't work the 1st time. You have some road repair, Mr. Allen."
"I know, and I'm on it."
He pulls Cass close; they share a kiss.
"I need to get home, Cass."
"Yes, we better start."
Both couples kiss, say their good-byes and the girls are off.
Oh, the present!
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ON THE ISLAND – BARN
Mary Rose meets Donna in the barn.
"I checked her last night. I thought I could feel a little horses head in her belly"
Juliet comes racing in, "Am I to late? Sorry."
"No, it's ok. Donna, this is Cassie's half-sister Juliet."
"Hi, Juliet. I am Donna, the veterinarian who takes care of the animals here at the Reagan Ranch. All except those who live in the bunk house."
They all laugh.
"Well, let's take a look at Betsy." Donna slowly steps up to Betsy's side. She gradually strokes Betsy's side, getting lower and lower.
Eventually she reaches under her hind legs; Betsy trembles a little. Donna keeps on whispering to her as she gently rubs back and forth. "Yes, I feel a foal. Girls, notice that I didn't go directly to the area I wanted most to examine. That would have set her off. It would have ended this session. And maybe set her & I back several sessions. Patience is key, even if it means coming back another time. Now, Mary Rose you try. Be very slow and patient."
Mary Rose streps to Betsy's side and starts. She mimics Donna's actions, whispering all the while. At one point she hums a lullaby to Betsy.
Donna is amazed. She has never seen a child with this kind of touch with animals. Even vet students that she has trained don't often start out with the skills Mary Rose already possesses.
Mary Rose does feel the foal and is excited. She peppers Donna with questions regarding pre-natal care. Donna leaves instructions and brochures. She will stop by and check Betsy monthly.
Mary Rose will be checking almost daily. Donna told her that wasn't needed. Mary Rose agrees, but we know what will happen.
When asked, Juliet declines a chance to examine Betsy. She is not ready for that.
Donna bids Betsy good-by with a gentle pat on her back.
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BAY RIDGE – 4 PM
Frank's cell phone rings. "Hello, Jamie?"
"Yes. Dad, are you alone?"
"Just Kell and me."
"I have an issue I'd like to talk over with you."
"Oh? Family / personal, or professional?"
"Both. Or all 3, depending on how you categorize it."
"So it's your older brother?"
"Yes. And I don't expect you to solve my problem. I do value your input though, you know that."
"I do. Can you bring supper? We will talk. I hope it's ok if Kell sits in?"
"If you trust her, then so do I."
"I do."
"6:30?"
"Ok. You still know the way?"
"Ha, ha. Yes dad."
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TBC