He's talking in code.
They can’t take certain steps because of their limitations.
“We need to find out who this new pimp is and shut them down.”
Reed taps the bar randomly, then turns and walks out while Liam tosses some nuts into his mouth and I cringe.
I wonder how long Reed’s been undercover.This dark side of humanity is hard.There are so many fucking people involved in trafficking it can be jaw dropping.A lot of money is at stake at the hands of powerful people.
It makes you sick.
It can take a long time to find the head of the snake, and by then a lot of lives are destroyed, innocence lost and futures destroyed.
These kids might never recover...if they are found.Most aren’t.
I slide my beer onto the bar and take a seat, focusing on the screens.
“What do you think?”I ask Liam.
“I think we hit the streets and do a little observation as a starting point.”
“Great.I am so glad I left my role as a US Marshal to become a beat cop again.”I chuckle.
“Hey, if it gets the job done.”Liam slides some cash on the bar, and we head out the door.“Except this time, we’ll have some fancy toys at our disposal.”
––––––––
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, after walking a few blocks, we find a seat near a park and eat our ice cream.Perks of the job.
Then, we survey the environment.
Nearby, two moms walk their babies in strollers, a group of workers sit on the grass eating lunch, three businessmen stroll past with matching satchels across their chests, and a couple stand facing one another focused on their phones.
Fuck that.
If I had a girlfriend, I’d want her full attention.I’d make sure I was her focus.That she knew she was mine.
I know reality is different, but watching them as they ignore one another and connect to whoever(s) inside their devices—people who likely do not give a shit about them—it makes me mad.
Having a relationship is almost impossible for me.Yet here are two lucky people who have found one another, and they’re taking it for granted.
They shake hands and walk away.
Oh.
Fine, maybe they weren’t fucking.
Whatever.
My point still stands.Most couples don’t connect or appreciate what they have.I’m starting to want it more and more.At thirty-two, I would like to settle down, have a family, meet someone...
I shut that shit down.
While my father is alive, nothing is going to change.
“Jesus, I’m going to need a good workout tomorrow morning after all this beer and ice-cream,” I say, changing my mental pattern.
I’m not unhappy with my salted caramel choice.
