And love
Chapter 96 Dreams
ON THE ISLAND – 4 DAYS PRE-PARTY
02:00 MBR, JAMESON
Jamie starts thrashing around in bed. He is in a cold sweat and has smacked Eddie's shoulder, awakening her with a start.
"NO, NO, WHERE IS HE?" Jamie shouts,
"Jamie, wake up," Eddie cautiously engulfs him in her arms. "Babe, wake up for me." She holds him and rubs his back as he settles down. He buries his face in her hair as he quiets. She notices moisture on her shoulder, he has been crying. "Can you tell me about it?" She whispers. He starts to speak, haltingly.
"I was in . . . ah, the old house in . . . ah, Bay Ridge. Where dad and pops sit in the evening . . . you know?"
"Their two comfy chairs?"
"Yeah. Dad was in his chair, a . . . glass of scotch in his hand. He looked so sad, a tear trickling down his cheek."
"And pops?"
"I looked at Pops' chair . . . he wasn't there. On the seat was a folded newspaper, a crossword puzzle. And . . . a pencil resting on the paper. GOD EDDIE – HE WAS GONE! Pops was gone!"
"Jamie, love . . . it was just a dream. Pops is at home, sleeping, as is your dad. If anything had happened there would be a family alert." She picked up his phone, showing him the blank screen.
"No alert?" Jamie choked out.
"No alert, babe." She rocks him gently as he drifts back to sleep.
She will hold him for a long time this night.
88888888888
03:00 MBR, MALINA
The bedroom door bursts open, Mal rushes in and throws herself on top of her parents.
"NO, NO, WHERE DID HE GO?!" She sobs, continually.
Eddie had just barely gotten back to sleep – she was wide awake now, again.
"Mal, baby, where did who go?" Mommy was holding her child in a tight hug. Trying in vain to not disturb Jamie. She's afraid to know the answer to her very own question.
"Mal?" Dad mutters as he looks over at his two girls.
"I've got this, babe." Eddie assures him. He rolls over.
"Sweetie, tell me about it, please." Eddie whispers.
"GG and I were trying a new recipe. It was for . . . the party, I think." She pauses-
"Go on, baby." Mom rubs her back gently.
Mal's sobs were subsiding. "I had a hard time reading the recipe . . . you know how GG has the recipes color coded? The title in a color to match the food type? Or cooking method?"
"Yes, I have noticed that."
"But . . . this recipe had a BLACK title, mommy! None of our recipes have a black title! And the type was blurry, I couldn't read it." She starts to sob again.
"Mal, then what?" You are safe here with mommy and daddy."
"So, I looked to GG for help . . . and he disappeared right before my eyes! MOMMY, WHERE IS HE? GG IS GONE!"
"No, sweetheart, he's not gone. He is at home sleeping, along with grandpa."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. Why don't you stay here and sleep between mommy and daddy?"
"Ok, are you sure that is OK with Daddy?"
"OK," a mumble is heard.
She stays.
88888888888
04:00 MBR, MARY ROSE
The bedroom door bursts open again, Mary Rose bolts in and throws herself on top of her parents – and another body.
"NO, NO, HE CAN'T BE GONE?!" She sobs, continually.
Eddie had just barely gotten back to sleep – she was wide awake now, again. For the 3rd time.
"Mary Rose, baby, it was only a dream." Mommy is holding her child in a tight hug. Trying in vain to not disturb Jamie, again.
"But it was so clear. I was right there, mommy."
"Where, sweetheart?"
"I was with AJ; we were standing by a long hole in the ground – holding hands. Both of us were crying, and holding a purple flower. A carnation, I think."
"Are you sure, sweetie?"
"Yes, mommy. And I heard . . . people talking, but no one was there. I heard someone say 'Henry was such a good man'. I looked around, and AJ and I were alone. It was so sad! I was terrified!"
"Then what, baby?"
"Then AJ and I tossed our flowers on top of a long, shiny black box. Then AJ and everything was gone. Mommy, what does it mean?" Her sobs return harder than ever.
88888888888
04:40 MBR, CASSIE
Their eldest softly slips into the bedroom. She kneels by the bedside, lying her head next to Eddie's.
"Mom, what's going on?" She whispers.
"Bad dreams I'm afraid. Did you have one too?"
"No . . . but I woke up and I was all alone. It made me feel like I was back in Bridgeport – in that secret room. You know, where Kara and Dylan were held."
"I remember. Why did it make you think of that?" Eddie shivered at the thought.
"Because, when Johnny was really mad at me, he would put me in there – maybe for all night. When I woke up and Mal and Mary Rose weren't in their beds . . . I thought of that. I'm sorry mommy."
"No, no, sweetie – don't apologize for that. I understand."
"I do too," that mumble again.
"I'm sorry daddy. Did I wake you?" She sniffles.
"No worries. Climb in, make yourself comfy." Dad mumbles some more, as he scoots over to make some room.
She does – the 5 of them cuddle together for support. And a little sleep time.
888888888888
ON THE ISLAND, BREAKFAST
"Everybody listen up, I am about to make a call."
He dials his cell, puts it on speaker and holds it up.
"Hello, Pops here. Jameson? What's up ON THE ISLAND?"
"Hi Pops. I just wanted to hear your sweet, old voice." Jamie and Henry both chuckle. "I have a room full of lovely ladies who want to say hello."
He waves his hands and his crew respond with various greetings. "Thanks GG. Pass our love on to grandpa, please."
"Will do. I love you all too. Oodles, and oodles!"
Call disconnected.
"GG is okay. Are you all?"
They look embarrassed, he catches that. "Now do not feel bad. I've had my share of bad dreams, nightmares even. So has . . . mommy. It's a part of life. And you each did the right thing! Come to us for comfort and support in times like that. Please."
"Absolutely!" Eddie agrees. "Never face something like that alone. We are all here for each other."
They all understand, and nod.
8888888888
REALITY
The birthday party is winding down. The list of invitees was much the same as the 1st 5-way party one year ago; held at Saddle Rock Ranch & Bay Ridge. The one notable addition was the Abdul family. Mal and Cassie had talked with Mrs. Abdul regarding the families' practices in regards to Halal. The girls were assured that for special occasions like this, they didn't require Halal. If such could be provided, for a dish or two, they would be grateful. The girls and GG did what they could. Everyone was pleased.
Presents were understated, as there was nothing to compare with Maddie – from last year. Pat and
AJ were the stars this year. And as 2-year-olds, they appreciated it a lot more.
Cassie and Eli appreciated being able to interact as friends. They were very careful to act appropriately. Both sets of parents were watching, closely.
Age as of this October: Cassie 13, Malina 10, Mary Rose 7, Pat & AJ 2.
The party was on a Saturday, mid-October from 12:00 to 15:00. By 2:45 PM most of the crowd had dissipated. The clean-up crew was starting to work; being careful not to disturb any remaining guests.
Frank and Henry were seated off to the side in their usual comfy chairs – brought from the Bay Ridge home. They were greeting, and chatting with party goers as they came by. As the crowd dwindled to only Reagan immediate family, Frank got up to relieve himself. He asked Pops if he should bring back a drink, or something else. Pops declined. Frank walked away.
Mary Rose and AJ had been looking over the array of presents; they saw grandpa mosey off toward the bathrooms.
"Let's go talk with GG," Mary Rose grabs AJ's hand and pulls him along with her. As they draw near, they notice Pops sitting with his head back – staring at the ceiling. He is taking slow, deep breaths.
AJ taps his great-grandpa's knee several times, "GG, you OK?"
Henry brings his head down and looks at the children, he brings his hands up to his chest and whispers "It hurts. Help me please."
"GG, NO, SOMEONE HELP!" Mary Rose shouts.
Several adults race over, Linda Reagan at the fore. She takes one look, feels for a pulse and SCREAMS "WE NEED A BUS NOW!"
Henry Reagan is rushed to St. Victor's emergency room.
8888888888
TBC