Chapter 21: Making Plans

Several days later, back at the bullpen, Jack is wearing black shirt and black slack.

Bobby: Almost time to go home. We should have a guy’s night out, what do you say mates? It’s been a while since we had fun just us guys.

Jack: I can’t. I already made plans. Gotta go, don’t want to get stuck in traffic.

D: I can’t. I have plans to spend quality time with Donna and my kids.

Myles: Nora invited me to dinner. Looks like you are on your own, koala boy. (laughing)

Bobby: Thanks a lot you guys. What plans, Jack. Who with, care to share, give me details?

Jack: None of your business, Crash. Sue, can I see you in the conference room right now?

In the conference room- Jack: I wanted you to know that I’m having dinner with Jessica. She has important news to tell me. It is not a date. I didn’t want you to think otherwise. Understand?

Sue: Yes. I understand. Thanks for telling me. I’ve got plans of my own.

Jack: You do. What plans, and it better be just you and Lucy, no guys allowed?

Sue: Sure. Whatever you say, Jack. You’re my training agent after all. (laughs)

Jack: Why do I not like the way you said that? (smiles)

Sue: I don’t know. You better get going. Say Hi to Jessica for me.

Jack: I will. Is it okay if I call you tonight or will you be too busy to talk to me?

Sue: Page me on my Blackberry. See you tomorrow morning.

Jack: You be good. I will call you later tonight. (smiles)

Sue watches Jack leave and goes back into the bullpen. Everyone is getting ready to leave.

Sue: Listen up, guys, Tara, and Lucy. I’m planning a surprise party for Jack.

Myles: Mind if I ask why?

Sue: Jack’s birthday is May 8^th, which happens to be next Saturday night. Please don’t let it slip that I’m planning a surprise party for him.

Lucy: That’s a great idea. We should have a girl’s night out.

Tara: I like that idea. Stanley is working. So I can help make preparations for Jack’s party.

Lucy: Hey, Bobby. Do you think Darcy would like to join Sue, me, and Tara tonight?

Bobby: I suppose so. If Darcy hangs out with you, what am I suppose to do? Can I come with you ladies wherever you are going?

Tara: That would defeat the purpose of a girl’s night out, Bobby. (laughs)

Bobby: Fine. I’m going home to watch the ballgame. I don’t need this abuse. See you all tomorrow. (laughs)

D and Myles say goodnight. Sue, Lucy, Levi, and Tara follow them to their apartment and wait for Darcy to come over.

Sue: Lucy, I’m going to need Jack’s address book. I want to invite all his family and friends to come for his party.

Lucy: No problem. I’ll get that for you tomorrow. Jack won’t notice it missing. This is going to be so much fun.

Sue: Tara, find out if we can rent a dance hall or somewhere nice for next Saturday night?

Tara: I’m on it. How many people are you going to invite? Oh, I love surprise parties.

Sue: I’m thinking 40-60 people. Not as big a party as Bobby’s was. What about the food?

Lucy: We should buy lots of finger food platters. The guys will eat anything or we could hire a caterer.

Just then Darcy rings the doorbell. Hi ladies. Thanks for inviting me to join you all. Did I miss anything?

Sue: We are planning a surprise birthday party for Jack. Now I need a few ideas for his birthday gift.

Darcy: Well, I’m good at buying presents for Bobby. Jack shouldn’t be too hard to figure out. (laughs)

Sue: I was thinking of getting him hockey tickets to see the Washington Capitals play a home game. But tickets are really hard to get these days.

Tara: What else does Jack want for his birthday present?

Lucy: You mean besides Sue? (teasing Sue)

Sue: Lucy, I can’t believe you said that.

Lucy: You know it’s true. (more laughter)

Tara: Okay. Besides Sue, what else? (more laughing, girl talk)

Lucy: Well, he did like the gift certificate, day at the spa; that you gave Sue for their “wedding present”. Maybe we should get that for him.

Tara: A gift certificate to a day at the spa? (laughs) Now I have a picture of Jack in my mind, I don’t think I’ll be able to look at him in the same way again.

Sue: Come on, I need help finding the perfect gift for Jack.

Darcy: How about you make him a scrapbook of pictures, include some of the team but more importantly have lots of pictures of the two of you together. That would be a nice present.

Lucy: That’s a great idea.

Tara: I second that. Jack is a very sentimental guy. He would absolutely love it.

Sue: So what you’re saying is I should forget about the hockey tickets?

Tara: Actually, there’s no rule that says you have to give him only one present. If you want to get him hockey tickets you should. But the scrapbook idea would come from the heart. I think all the ideas we came up with tonight are really great.

Lucy: Tara’s right. You should give Jack as many presents as you want to.

Sue: Somehow I don’t think you and I are talking about the same thing. (laughs)

Darcy: I could get Bobby to dress up as Elvis and serenade Jack for his party. What do you gals think?

Tara: You can do that? I would pay big bucks to see Bobby impersonating “The King”.

Lucy: Oh yeah. Bobby is the perfect choice to play Elvis if the networks decide to make another Elvis movie. (The girls laugh and picture Bobby in an Elvis outfit)

Darcy: Okay. I’ll tell Bobby. We want Elvis! And if he says no, I’ll just twist his arms until he changes his mind. He can’t resist me anyway. (smiles)

Lucy: I can’t wait for Jack’s surprise party. It is going to be out of this world.

Sue: Yeah. We still have a lot of work to do. And keeping the guys from blabbing their mouths off to Jack is going to be hard.

Lucy and Tara unison: Don’t worry, Sue. We can handle Myles, D. and worse comes to worse Darcy will keep Bobby in line.

Darcy: Oh yeah. Don’t worry, Sue. I won’t let Bobby tell Jack anything. I’m looking forward to Jack’s party also.

Jessica’s house dinner with Jack in Middleburg, VA

Jessica: Hi Jack. Come on in.

Jack: Thanks. Nice place. Is that lasagna that I smell? I brought wine as a housewarming present.

Jessica: Yep. You always did have a nose for food. I made lasagna because I know how much you like it. Thanks for the wine. We can have some with the lasagna. (laughs)

Jack: I’ll pour the wine. That was sweet of you to make lasagna. So what’s your news?

Jessica: Why don’t we eat first and then I will tell you.

Jack: Sounds good. I’m starving. (smiles)

Jessica: When are you not starving? (laughs)

They are eating dinner and making small talk about Jessica’s future plans.

Jack: This is really good. I haven’t had lasagna for a long time now.

Jessica: Almost as good as your mother makes it?

Jack: Yes. Don’t tell my mom that. (laughs)  I really do miss my mom’s cooking. Especially mom’s homemade cinnamon rolls and Belgium waffles for breakfast.

Jessica: You haven’t been to Wisconsin in how long?

Jack: It’s been a while. I try to fly home on Thanksgiving and Christmas for sure, but work keeps me really busy sometimes.

Jessica: Yeah. I can understand why. So I’ve been thinking about what you said. And I went to see Sonny’s friend in Illinois.

Jack: That’s good. Does that mean what I think it means?

Jessica: Yeah. Sonny’s friend offered me a job and I’m taking it. I’m moving to Illinois. I start my new job in one week.

Jack: What you did, I am so incredible proud of you! That is fantastic news.

Jessica: Thanks for saying that. I wanted you to be the first one to know. I also wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for me.

Jack: No one deserves it more than you. And I know you will do great things in Illinois.

Jessica: I hope so. I’m taking your advice. Taking a leap of faith and just believe in myself. It really feels good.

Jack: So this dinner is good/bad news. I’m going to miss you when you move. (smiles)

Jessica: Yeah. I’m going to miss you too. I was actually hoping you might be able to help me move my things; load them up in the rental truck this weekend. I want to get settled in Illinois immediately so I don’t have time to change my mind.

Jack: Sure. I’m there. Just don’t wake me up before dawn. (laughs)

Jessica: It’s a deal. I’m thinking of renting my house out?  Know anyone who is interested in renting or buying this place? It is a very secluded and picturesque place to get away from the bustling life in D.C.

Jack: Let me ask around. I will let you know soon.

Jack gets up and hugs Jessica. He tells her again how proud he is of her. They play trivial pursuit and Jessica wins. One more hug and Jack heads home. He tells her, everything is going to be alright.

Jack: You are going to knock the FBI team in Illinois socks off. And I promise to visit you in Illinois so much you are going to get rid of me before too long. (laughs)

Jessica: Yeah. I would like that very much. Can I get one more hug from you for the road?

Jack: Sure. He hugs her and they say goodnight to each other. Bye, Jessica.

Jessica: Bye, Jack. Drive home safe.

 

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