“Was it just you two?”
“Yeah.”
Glad to hear that.
* * *
“I may have beenwrong about you.” That’s Jim trying to kiss some ass after everything settles down.
“Iknowyou were wrong about me.”
A waitress approaches to take our breakfast order. It took hours to process the two thieves. By the time it was all said and done, our shift was over. As we were leaving the station, Jim offered to buy me breakfast. Since I know I’m gonna be stuck with this prick for the next six months, I decided to take him up on it. Call it an olive branch.
He makes a snuffling sound. “How was I supposed to know? Everyone was talking when I got here. I wasn’t the one—”
“Don’t.” I hold up my hand. I don’t want to hear about one of my fellow MPs disparaging me. That’s middle school bullshit. “I followed procedure. Ben followed procedure. If you think I haven’t second-guessed myself, wished I’d done something differently, you’re wrong. I’d love a do-over, but that’s not how it works. I’m a good MP. I know what the fuck I’m doing.”
“Fine.” He sips his coffee. “You’re right. I never should’ve listened to the gossip when I got here.”
“You’re too old for that bullshit.”
Jim changes the subject. I’m glad. “Can you believe those guys?”
“Kids.” Neither was older than sixteen. “What were they thinking?”
“They weren’t. That’s the problem. If my boys pulled some bullshit like that, I’d kick their ass to next week.”
“You’ve got boys?” I think Jim’s close to my age, maybe a little older.
“Four. Twelve, ten, seven, and five.”
“Whoa. That sounds like me and my brothers.” I chuckle. “Good luck.”
“Thanks. We’re gonna need it.”
“What’s your wife do?”
“Stays at home. Thankfully. I don’t know what we’d do if someone wasn’t there at all times. They’re hellions.”
“Again, that sounds like me and my brothers.” I laugh again. It reminds me of a story or two. “One time….”
By the time breakfast is served, I’ve got Jim cracking up. He shares a couple tales about his boys as we eat. After our plates are clean, Jim asks, “So, who wants to visit?”
Shit, I forgot I’d said that out loud earlier. “A woman.” I need to add, “A friend.”
“You and I both know you can’t be friends with a woman. They’ll always want more.”
I’ve heard that. “MaybeIwant more.”
“Well then, only one way to find out. Invite her to visit. Better yet, pay for her flight.”
Hell yes, I’d pay for her flight. What kind of guy does he think I am?
Fuck, it doesn’t matter what Jim thinks. Instead, I tell him something about her. “She trains dogs for veterans.”
“Really?” Jim nods. “That’s cool.”
“It is.”
