Chapter 367 – A Subdued Supper
Nathan hung up the phone and looked at Frank.
"Better?" Frank asked.
"A little." Nathan said. "She is still as feisty as ever."
"Take it as a good sign." Frank said. "It means she is not hurt as bad or at least is coping. Splash some water on your face. It will take about five minutes and the steaks will be ready."
"Okay." Nathan said.
Nathan walked back into the cabin and went to the sink and splashed some water on his face. Jack walked over.
"Let's get through tonight." Jack said. "Then we can re-evaluate things. If you want to leave at any time, we all understand. I will work to make arrangements for Colleen when she gets out and for Allie until then."
"Colleen told me to stay." Nathan said. "Like Frank said, her being feisty is a good sign. I can see that and while she sounded okay, I heard the underlying worry in her voice. I know that she is scared, but she doesn't want anyone to see her as weak."
"I don't know your sister." Jack said. "But I can see what she is saying. And just so you know I don't see her as weak. She fought back to protect herself and her child. That is not weak, that is being the strongest person you can be. Elizabeth and I will do everything we can to help you through this time. I am sure that Doug and Lee will say the same thing. Trish and Chief will also help. As will Katie, Chris and Devin. We rally around our family. Like it or not you are family and by extension that makes Colleen and Allie family."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
A few minutes later the four sat down on the deck at the picnic table to enjoy their supper that Frank had made.
"I will say the prayer." Jack said.
Frank nodded and the group bowed their heads.
"In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." Jack prayed. "First and foremost, we pray for Colleen. We ask that You reach down Your healing hand to her. Help her to recover from this horrible thing that happened. We also ask that you be with Allie as she misses her mom. While she is fine now, we all know that there will be a time that comes where she will miss her mom. Please also be with Nathan as he feels torn about where he should be and what he should do. Give him peace and show him where You want him. Finally, we ask You to bless this food and our time together tonight. In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
"Amen." Nathan said. "Thank you."
"Amen." Elizabeth said. "That was really nice."
Jack ducked his head and Elizabeth leaned over to kiss his cheek.
"It is cute how embarrassed you get." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth's words only made Jack turn redder.
"Can we please just eat?" Jack said.
"Of course." Frank said.
They started making their plates and passing food around. As they were starting their supper, Elizabeth talked about the plan for the next day and let them know that she hadn't chosen a place to eat.
"We can look." Frank said. "All else fails, we take some snacks along and eat when we get back. How much do you want to do at the park? I was taking a look at it and it is huge."
"I want to be able to see the underground part." Elizabeth said. "And the buildings that are there. We don't have to go on the trails or all the far parts if you don't want to. The biggest thing is the actual underground mine and historical site marker."
"That works." Frank said. "I know they open at eight. So if we have a nice breakfast and leave early, we can pack a few snacks and play it by ear."
"We can do that." Jack said.
Nathan was pretty quiet, but they all knew that he was listening. No one was going to push him to talk or interact if he wasn't up to it.
"Did you speak to your grandfather?" Frank asked.
"I did." Jack said.
Jack explained what his grandfather and Devin had shared with him.
"That is pretty cool." Nathan said. "What a great legacy to leave. I think the lodge with the water park sounds like fun."
"Maybe we can bring Allie some time." Jack said.
"She would love that." Nathan said. "You heard she wants a horse."
"I heard." Jack said. "Already working on it. I was thinking of maybe sending Rocky or Rainbow back down to the city. I just don't want to separate them as they are used to being together. I am not sure what other horse I could send."
"You know that you don't have to do that." Nathan said.
"But I can." Jack said, with a smirk.
"Fine." Nathan said. "You argue with Colleen."
"Gladly." Jack said. "Just because she accepts help, she is not weak or taking charity. I will argue with her all day. Her safety and their well-being is more important. She can argue all she wants, but I don't give in. I will keep her safe because not only is it the right thing to do, but by doing so, it helps you."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"I am sure that part of her reasoning is because she saw your mother struggling and having to rely on other people for help when you were growing up." Frank said. "I am sure that has affected the way she thinks. It has an effect the way you think. But as a woman, I can see her feeling like she needs to be strong and do it on her own. I am sure that part of it is that she wants to be different from your mother. Not that what your mother did by relying on others was bad, but I can see how Colleen wouldn't want to feel like she owes everyone around her for always helping her out.
However this is different. You are family and by extension Colleen and Allie are family. So taking help from family is different and it is going to be your job to get her to see that. Do you understand what I am saying?"
Nathan nodded, but still seemed unsure.
"Frank is right." Elizabeth said. "Just because our family looks different, doesn't make it any less of a family. Or at least that is what you have all been telling me all summer."
"You know that she is right." Jack said. "Also just because we haven't met Colleen and Allie yet, it doesn't make them any less family to us. You are important to us and therefore Colleen and Allie are important to us. I have always said if someone or something is important to those important to me, then whatever or whoever is important to me. If you don't believe me, ask Doug and Lee."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "It has just been Colleen and I for so long, that I am not used to having others to really turn to."
"What about your mom?" Elizabeth asked.
"Things have been strained with her." Nathan said. "It has been better lately, but we are still not at a great place. She has refused to cut Archie completely off. She keeps letting him back into her life and doesn't understand why Colleen and I refuse to see him, talk to him or even talk about him. We cut him off when we turned eighteen, despite still living at home. When he came around, we would leave. We would go stay with one of my friends from the club or the neighbor with the horses.
When we both moved to the city from Pennsylvania over six years ago, I came for additional schooling and to work for Devin. Colleen came to get away from it all. She started working and eventually got her own place as we had shared my two bedroom for a while. It was shortly after that when she met Dylan while she was working as a waitress. He pursued her hard, despite being five years older than her. Dylan proposed when Colleen found out she was pregnant, but Collie wouldn't get married until Allie was born. Which is why he isn't on the birth certificate. She had doubts and wanted to protect Allie as much as she could. And yes, I know that he could make claims otherwise, but it puts the burden of proof on him. I did my best to warn her, but Dylan kept telling her he loved her and would be all nice and affectionate. I later learned the term love-bombing and it is typical of people with narcissistic personality traits as a way to control their victim."
"While it is not the way any of us wanted things to go for Colleen." Frank said. "She is free of him and I am sure that once he is found, he will be behind bars for a long time based on what you have told me."
"We will help her get past this." Elizabeth said. "And no it is not charity. You need to get her to understand that. Help from family is not charity, it is what families are supposed to do. I didn't exactly learn that growing up, but I have really been showing that this past summer."
"Okay." Nathan said. "I will try to get her to understand."
"Good." Jack said.
The group talked more about the plan to go to the mine as well as about the information that Jack had shared about what his grandfather was doing. They were all excited about the announcements that John was going to make. They thought the mining was going to be an exciting opportunity for the company. They also love the idea of the lodge and all the opportunities that would offer everyone. They sat talking for over an hour before Nathan's phone beeped.
"Colleen got her new phone." Nathan said.
Then Nathan showed them all the video Trish has sent of Allie on Bubbled with Maddie and Missy walking on either side. They all thought the video was adorable. Seeing Allie on Bubbles gave Jack an idea.
"Nathan." Jack said. "Are you opposed to me getting Allie a pony?"
"By pony." Nathan said. You are talking about a full size horse, just smaller. Right?"
"Yes." Jack said. "I am thinking of a seven year old pony that I saw for sale."
"You don't need to buy another horse." Nathan said.
"But if I did." Jack said with a smirk.
"I wouldn't deny her." Nathan said. "Although I think an apartment, clothes and those things are more important."
"And those things are being taken care of as well." Jack said. "But seeing her smile while on Bubbles was amazing. That pure joy of riding. You have to foster that."
"I am not going to win." Nathan said. "And it is too much Jack. I will never be able to repay you."
"This isn't about getting repaid." Jack said. "This is about helping because I can."
Nathan held his hands up in surrender.
"We will leave you for the night." Frank said. "Thank you for allowing us to share our supper."
"Okay." Jack said. "Take off about about eight since it is about a forty minutes drive?"
"Sounds good." Frank said. "I will be up at six so if you want to leave earlier we can."
"Okay." Jack said.
"You guys have a good night." Elizabeth said.
"You guys as well." Frank said.
Nathan and Frank headed back to the cabin. Frank planned to have a beer and sit on the deck for a while. Nathan also grabbed a beer and sat on the deck.
"Mind if I play the guitar for a bit?" Nathan asked.
"I am fine with it." Frank said. "Just remember that quiet hours start at ten."
Nathan nodded, got up and went to grab his guitar. Once he had his guitar, he just sort of plucked at the stings as he thought about things. He was sort of playing scales, but not really. Whatever he was doing sounded pretty good considering that he wasn't trying to play a song.
"I am here if you want to talk." Frank said.
"I know." Nathan said. "Thank you. I just need to think for a bit."
"Okay." Frank said. "Just offering."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "But everything is so jumbled, I don't think I could make sense until I sort things out a bit."
"Okay." Frank said.
Nathan and Frank sat there, enjoying their beer. Nathan continued to strum his guitar lightly. They didn't talk, but just enjoyed the night for a while. For Nathan, just knowing that Frank was there was a comfort. While he wasn't ready to talk about things, knowing that Frank was willing to listen was all he needed at the moment.
… … … …
After Frank and Nathan left, Jack and Elizabeth cleaned up the dishes. They took everything inside and once inside, Jack pulled Elizabeth into an embrace.
"I love you." Jack said.
Jack then kissed Elizabeth.
"I love you, too." Elizabeth said.
"I want to talk to you about something." Jack said.
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "What is up?"
"Let's finish cleaning up later." Jack said.
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "At least let me put the fruit and veggies away."
"Okay." Jack said.
Elizabeth put the fruit and veggies away while Jack rinsed the dishes and left them in the sink. Once they were done with that, Jack led Elizabeth to the couch.
"What's up?" Elizabeth asked.
"So because of what happened with Colleen." Jack said. "How would you feel if we head back to New York on Friday? We can take Nathan to the city and we fly up to Albany with Frank. We can spend Friday and maybe Saturday night with my grandparents. We would be able to give the gifts, then come back to the city with plenty of time for orientation. That way Nathan can get back to his sister and we can still have some time away."
"That would work." Elizabeth said. "I was looking earlier and we really don't need to be on campus until Tuesday as long as we 'check in' online on Monday."
"Okay." Jack said. "Don't say anything to Frank and Nathan. Let me work on things and get the arrangements made first. I don't want Nathan to try talking us out of it."
"Sure." Elizabeth said. "Maybe we can go out for supper on Thursday night and tell them then."
"I like that." Jack said. "Maybe we can go back to The Landing. There were other things that I wanted to try."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
"I know that it wasn't how we planned." Jack said. "But Colleen being attacked in the hospital does change things."
"No, I understand." Elizabeth said. "I am not mad. I am worried about Nathan and his sister. I am worried about how much he is taking on, similar to how I am worried about how much you are taking on. You are both young and shouldn't have the weight of the world on you. He also shouldn't have to feel responsible for his sister. She is an adult. I get that they are twins, but still. Then there is little Allie. She doesn't know it, but her world has been flipped upside down."
"We will be there to support them through it." Jack said.
"I know." Elizabeth said. "It is just hard to see him struggling right now."
"I know." Jack said. "I don't like seeing him struggle either. But I understand his sense of duty to his sister. As men it is ingrained in us to protect women and children. I think it is even more so for Nathan, given that he had to grow up early with how his father was."
"Oh." Elizabeth said. "I guess I can see that. But it is still hard."
"I know." Jack said.
As they were talking, Jack's phone beeped. He pulled it out and saw a message from Father Mark.
"Father Mark is asking me to call him." Jack said.
"Call him." Elizabeth said, kissing Jack. "I will finish cleaning up from supper.
"Thank you." Jack said.
