Dreams, Memories & Keys

Chapter 28 - Making Plans

Greg's time at the theater increased again after the Passover holidays. The production company was in the process of implementing several cast changes. Among their activities was preparing the new actor to take over the part of Tevye. Rehearsal time was limited for the new performer due to the ongoing status of the play, with shows most evenings and afternoons too. So, Greg did what he could to help the new star develop his part while maintaining the current interpretation of the show. The process of turning the part of Tevye over smoothly to someone else was part of his contract. It meant he was rapidly coming to the end of his regular performances in this particular show. As a result, despite being thrilled that Susan was home again for the month of April, his schedule at the theater left him less time at home with Susan and Jessie than he usually had. That bothered Greg some initially, until he realized they were busy too. Jessie was busy at school and preparing for the Spring Art Show. Susan was busy with her projects for work. Still, they did find time on Saturday afternoon in the middle of April, just before his birthday to talk about what would happen at the end of June.

"Are you still going to London?" Greg began the conversation by confirming what he already knew with his wife.

"Yes. I work one more month in San Francisco, in May. I will be back here on Saturday, May 29th, in time for the Memorial Day holiday," Susan told him.

"That's good, Mama. That's the weekend of the Spring Art Show," Jessie told her seriously.

"And I will be here," Susan promised. "After that, I work out of the New Jersey office the first four weeks in June, leading up to the meeting. I fly to London on June 26th," Susan told him.

"What is the last day of your meeting?" Greg asked, consulting the calendar he had in front of him.

"The meeting dates are June 28th through July 2nd," Susan related.

Greg checked his calendar again.

"When is your last performance date at the theater?" Susan asked.

"The matinee performance on Friday, July 2nd, the same day as your last meeting. Theoretically, Jessie and I could fly out that same evening and be in London in time to join you on Saturday morning," Greg proposed.

Susan consulted the calendar. "That could work. I could start my vacation the following Monday, after you get there."

"That is what I had in mind," Greg confirmed.

"When do you need to be back?" Susan wondered.

"I still need to arrange the specific dates, however as it stands now, not until the last week of July," Greg read from a second calendar in his ever-present notebook.

Susan consulted the dates on the family calendar. "So, the latest you could fly back would be when?"

"Assuming my performance schedule during the weeks I am back are similar to what they are now, I should arrive here no later than mid-day Sunday, July 25th," Greg told her.

Susan marked the date on their calendar. "That could give us three weeks!"

"It could," Greg agreed.

"Could we really stay in London for three whole weeks?" Jessie asked in awe.

"I don't know if we would want to stay in London all that time, but we could certainly take three weeks to better explore that part of the world," Susan told her.

"Where would we go?" Jessie asked curiously.

"You mentioned visiting Ireland over Passover. Do you still want to go there?" Greg asked.

"Yes. I want to try to find the Stone Village," Jessie told him.

"And I would like the opportunity to meet and get to know some of my Irish cousins," Greg added.