Not a new show – but I enjoyed this one from 2019 so much that I watched it again. Of course, had I known it wasn’t new, I would have got Thursdays finished. Ugh.
Traci has two surprises for Jack; 1) Ashley’s coming home early and 2) Our family memoir is finished.
Jack’s handed a hefty, bound stack of papers. Off to pick up Ashley, Traci leaves her brother to ‘treasure every sentence’. Jack reads the Preface; a labor of love Traci and her brother worked tirelessly to document three generations of the Abbott family. Heaving an emotional sigh, he begins.
Flashbacks of a much younger self accompany Jack as he reads Traci’s memoirs; John, then Dina, then Jill. Sad scenes of Jack at his Father’s bedside, pledging his unwavering love – and his love for Dina when she acknowledges that her condition will soon deteriorate.
Almost half way through the book, the subject is business/Jabot. Flashback to Jack and Victor’s rivalry starting many decades ago. A loud boardroom brawl between Jack and Jill, Jack’s ruthless ‘blood-only’ clause that would prevent Ashley from being Jabot’s CEO. Then on to Ashley and Jack’s companies merging; Kyle coming onboard.
Traci’s story gets to the chapter on the Abbott-Newman rivalry. A ‘Best Of’ their vicious verbal attacks incl. Jack walking over Victor as he’s having a heart attack on the carpet – throwing a chair out the window. And now to their most recent chat at Society. The author (Traci) wonders if this friendship is the calm before the storm – time will tell.
When we fall, we fall hard – so begins the chapter of Jack and Nikki, their love, their loss (donating their son’s organs to a boy who’s name is John. It felt like he was part of me) Sometimes we’re drawn to the same person all over again and again *ahem* Phyllis (more gut-wrenching scenes)
Traci’s back with Ashley. Billy’s there too. Jack reads from Traci’s book until he’s in tears- there’s always a way back to each other.
Abby and Kyle are there as Jack makes a speech about the dedication – Dina too – he makes a speech to his family – you’re part of who I am. That’s never going to change. I’m so grateful. Grab a glass – they toast – to us. To all the Abbott’s; those who came before us – those yet to come (all clink glasses)