{"id":280,"date":"2019-12-13T03:33:56","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T03:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/?p=280"},"modified":"2019-12-22T18:21:53","modified_gmt":"2019-12-22T18:21:53","slug":"december-13th-between-this-breath-and-the-one-that-follows-part-4-by-brianna441","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/?p=280","title":{"rendered":"December 13th- Between This Breath and the One That Follows Part 4 by brianna441"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click here for Part 1<\/span><\/strong><\/a>
\nClick here for Part 2<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/span>Click here for Part 3<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

When his thoughts returned to the present, he found himself turning the two rings that now adorned his little finger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Frankie and Javi.\u00a0 Two beautiful human beings.\u00a0 Two people who were his friends.\u00a0 Two victims, in different ways, of the evils of the jungle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave shook his head then looked around, surprised to see that, as he sat lost in his memories, the families had left him alone in the clearing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He stood up and stretched his body, a bit stiff from sitting too long.\u00a0 He then walked down towards the water, lighting yet another cigarette along the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He stood at the edge of the pond, just watching.\u00a0 The children had left, so the ducks had returned.\u00a0 He watched as they paddled lazily across the water.\u00a0 He smiled at one duck being closely followed by six ducklings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe safe, little momma,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cYou take good care of those babies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, she will,\u201d came a voice from behind him. \u201cBut who\u2019s gonna be takin\u2019 care of you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave turned, falling into a crouch, startled that someone had snuck up on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, easy there, soldier.\u00a0 It\u2019s just harmless little ole me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuggy?\u201d Dave slowly stood then, recognizing his oldest friend, and threw his arms around the skinny man. \u201cHuggy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy laughed as he returned the greeting then stepped back.\u00a0 \u201cLet me have a look at your sorry self.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Holding his arms out to his sides, Dave turned around, giving his friend a total view.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAcceptable, acceptable.\u201d Huggy smiled.\u00a0 As Dave dropped his arms, Huggy turned a bit more serious.\u00a0 \u201cSorry I\u2019m late.\u00a0 Have you been waiting very long?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot too long,\u201d Dave said as both men walked back towards the tables.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s okay, though.\u00a0 Not like I got anything better to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I got something better for us to do.\u201d Huggy threw an arm around Dave\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cHow about a beer.\u00a0 I got something I want to show you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave agreed and both men began walking out of the park.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

They walked for a few blocks, exchanging meaningless comments, until they came to a place that was obviously a bar, the name, \u201cJake\u2019s,\u201d lit up in neon.\u00a0 Huggy pulled open the door and ushered Dave inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave surveyed the place as they entered. \u00a0It was adequately lit and, although a bit run down, appeared to be clean. \u00a0There was a bar to one side of the room, with booths along the opposite wall. \u00a0There were a scattering of tables in between, with a juke box on the short wall opposite the door. \u00a0A few patrons were scattered around, some at the bar, some at tables. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the bar was a staircase leading to an upper level.\u00a0 Beyond the staircase was what appeared to be a kitchen and, down a narrow hallway, a door that Dave assumed lead to a back alley.<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy directed him to the last booth while he headed to the end of the bar. \u00a0As Dave sat, facing the room, he saw Huggy say something to the guy in the kitchen then go behind the bar and draw a couple of beers. \u00a0The bartender walked over and said something to Huggy, who responded with a smile and a nod and a few words.\u00a0 He saw the bartender look over at him then go back to tending his customers. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave continued to look the place over. \u00a0It could use some improvements, he decided, but didn\u2019t seem like a bad place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what do you think?\u201d Huggy asked as he placed a beer in front of Dave and sat on the opposite side of the table with a glass of his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThink about what?\u201d Dave asked. \u00a0He took a sip of the beer and pulled out his ever-present cigarettes, lighting one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis place?\u201d Huggy waved his arm to encompass the entire room. \u00a0\u201cAin\u2019t it great?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the pits.\u201d Dave laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, be gentle.\u201d \u00a0Huggy leaned back into the seat. \u00a0\u201cIn the next year or two, this will all be mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYours, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d \u00a0He turned to face Dave. \u00a0\u201cSee, the owner, Jake\u2026that\u2019s him over there,\u201d he pointed to the bartender. \u00a0\u201cHe\u2019s an ex-cop and he\u2019s kinda taken me under his wing, so to speak. \u00a0He\u2019s been showing me the ropes, teaching me all about the ins and outs of running a place like this. \u00a0We have an agreement that when he retires, I buy the place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how you gonna afford to do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, right now, he takes a set amount out of my pay each week, for a start. \u00a0Then, in a year or two, when he decides to retire, he\u2019ll help me get the financing for the rest. \u00a0It\u2019s all on the up and up, all legal and documented. So,\u201d Huggy asked again, \u201cwha’d’ya think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave looked at his friend, taking in the smile on his face and the excitement in his eyes and he raised his glass.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s great, Hug.\u201d They both drank and Dave set down his glass, smiling. \u201cI mean, who\u2019da ever thought the skinny kid I met in school would grow up to be a businessman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy returned the smile.\u00a0 \u201cDo you remember that day, when we first met?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d Dave nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI was \u2026ten, I think.\u00a0 My first day at my new school and I didn\u2019t know anybody.\u00a0 And there you were, all of maybe forty-fifty pounds, doin\u2019 your best to explain to that sixth-grader, Bobby Hamilton, why it would be to his benefit to NOT beat you up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was negotiatin\u2019 for my life and you were just standin\u2019 there, watchin’!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave laughed. \u201cYou were makin\u2019 a good sell.\u00a0 You had me convinced.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I thought so.\u00a0 Then he threw that first punch. And you,\u201d Huggy leaned in, pointing his finger at Dave, \u201cyou went crazy.\u00a0 You jumped on his back, arms and legs flailing, punchin\u2019 and kickin\u2019 and pullin\u2019 his hair.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know what hit him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, he had six inches and twenty pounds on you.\u00a0 I had to do somethin\u2019!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I appreciated it.\u201d Huggy chuckled then shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou were like a wildcat.\u00a0 You finally got him down on the ground and all he kept yellin\u2019 was \u2018Get \u2018im off me!\u00a0 Get \u2018im off!\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s when Jackson showed up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u201d Huggy nodded.\u00a0 \u201cJackson walked over and grabbed you by the collar and pulled you offa Bobby.\u00a0 He held onto you and stood there, lookin\u2019 down at Bobby, given\u2019 off that \u2018big, bad, black militant\u2019 vibe.\u00a0 What was he, maybe two inches taller than you and me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d Dave laughed.\u00a0 \u201cBut Bobby Hamilton was afraid of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he sure was. So Jackson was standin\u2019 there, holdin\u2019 on to your squirmin\u2019 little body and he says, all quiet-like, he says, \u2018You may want to rethink your plan on pickin\u2019 on the smaller brother.\u2019\u00a0 And Bobby, he said, \u2018And what if I don\u2019t?\u2019, still tryin\u2019 to be his big bad self.\u00a0 Jackson just held you up by the collar and said, \u2018Then I\u2019ll just have ta let him go.\u2019 You started swingin\u2019 and kickin\u2019 again and Bobby, well, he couldn\u2019t get outta there fast enough!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave smiled at the memory.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, yeah, I remember.\u00a0 That was the first time I met Jackson, too.\u00a0 And his family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 After that, Jackson took us both to his house and introduced us to Mama Walters and she just fell in love with your cute self, all that curly hair and charming smile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 She cleaned me up and made us all sit down and eat dinner.\u00a0 Then she had her neighbor\u2026what was his name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHarold\u2026Harold Washington.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, she had Harold make sure I got home okay.\u201d\u00a0 Dave shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI was worried I was gonna get in trouble for fightin\u2019.\u00a0 But Harold just told me to be honest with my folks and, whatever punishment they handed out, to take it like a man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou never did tell me.\u00a0 Did you get in trouble?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNah.\u201d Dave shook his head, putting out his cigarette and sticking the butt in his pocket.\u00a0 \u201cAunt Rosie, she was mad, talkin\u2019 about callin\u2019 the school and reportin\u2019 those \u2018evil boys\u2019.\u00a0 Uncle Al just looked me over then said, \u2018Did you give as good as you got?\u2019\u00a0 When I nodded, he patted me on the back and said, \u2018Good boy.\u2019\u00a0 And John, John Blaine, he took one look at the scrapes and bruises on my face and said, \u2018We\u2019re gonna have to teach you how to fight.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe sure had some great times back then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah we did,\u201d Dave agreed, draining his glass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy did the same, pushing his empty glass to the side.\u00a0 \u201cSo, my brother, tell me.\u00a0 What\u2019s goin\u2019 on with you?\u201d He held up his hand to halt Dave\u2019s response.\u00a0 \u201cAnd don\u2019t tell me nothin\u2019, cause I got eyes.\u00a0 You talk a good talk but the man I see before me is lookin\u2019 a bit rough around the edges.\u00a0 So, talk to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave looked at Huggy for a moment then down at the tabletop, a bit embarrassed.\u00a0 He\u2019d forgotten how well Huggy could read him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Hug,\u201d he started with a sigh, reaching into his pocket for another cigarette. \u201cIt\u2019s like I\u2019m outta step with\u2026with everything! While I was in \u2018Nam, all I wanted to do was get back home.\u00a0 Just make it through each day, each mission and just make it home.\u00a0 \u2018Cus once I got home, everythin\u2019 would be okay, ya know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut nothin\u2019s okay.\u00a0 Everything feels different.\u00a0 I went back to New York, thought I might settle back there with Mom and Nicky but\u2026.\u201d Dave just shook his head and sat quietly for a moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when I got back here, I thought I could pick back up where I left off, ya know? But, even here, I feel\u2026outta step.\u00a0 It\u2019s like everything\u2019s changed and I\u2019m on the outside lookin\u2019 in. John said that everything hasn\u2019t changed, but I have.\u00a0 He says I\u2019m searchin\u2019 for my place.\u201d Dave shrugged his shoulders. \u201cMa said pretty much the same thing.\u00a0 John said I needed to take time to figure out who I want to be now.\u00a0 But I just don\u2019t know, Hug.\u00a0 I mean, look at me.\u00a0 I got no job, hell, I\u2019m livin\u2019 at the Y, for chrissake! I know there\u2019s a problem but I just don\u2019t know what it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, through my extraordinary powers of observation, I\u2019ve formed a few opinions, if you don\u2019t mind me offerin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Dave looked up, meeting his friend\u2019s eyes, Huggy continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn here,\u201d Huggy tapped his finger on Dave\u2019s chest, over his heart. \u201cIn here, you\u2019re outta the Army and back home.\u00a0 But, in here,\u201d he tapped Dave\u2019s forehead, \u201chere you\u2019re still in \u2018Nam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re crazy,\u201d Dave huffed as he took a drag of his cigarette.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah? Just look at you.\u00a0 Still in combat boots and army jacket.\u00a0 And your hair.\u00a0 You used to spend more time on that than most women \u2019cuz you knew the ladies just love your hair and here you are, lookin\u2019 like a skin-head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easier\u2026\u201d Dave tried to explain as he rubbed a hand over his scalp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Huggy agreed.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re in the jungle.\u00a0 But that\u2019s not all.\u00a0 There are your actions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d Dave challenged, suddenly feeling defensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you walked in here, the first thing you did was scope out the place. I watched you.\u00a0 You checked out the room, the people; you located the alternate exit.\u00a0 You did a recon.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave looked away, tapping the ash off of his cigarette. Huggy place his hand on Dave\u2019s arm, grabbing his attention again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince we\u2019ve been talkin\u2019 you\u2019ve been sittin\u2019 here with your back to the wall scannin\u2019 the room.\u00a0 Every thirty to forty-five seconds, you look around, checkin\u2019 the people, the doors.\u00a0 You\u2019re sitting sentry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave pinched the end of his cigarette and stuck the butt in his pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Dave asked, looking back at him in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat.\u201d Huggy pointed to Dave\u2019s pocket.\u00a0 \u201cSince we\u2019ve been sittin\u2019 here, you\u2019ve had three cigarettes.\u00a0 And every time you do that!\u00a0 You knock off the ash, brush it away, pinch the end of the butt then stick it in your pocket.\u00a0 You\u2019re still policing your butts!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They stared at each other for a moment then Huggy patted Dave\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou survived, my friend.\u00a0 You made it home.\u00a0 It\u2019s time to let the soldier rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They sat quietly for a few minutes, Dave lost in thoughts and Huggy just watching.\u00a0 When a waitress walked by with a tray of empty dishes, Huggy grabbed an empty bowl off the tray and placed it on the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018C\u2019mon,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cEmpty your pockets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Dave, his attention pulled back to the present, just looked at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStand up and empty your pockets.\u201d Huggy pushed the bowl toward Dave, who rolled his eyes and reluctantly slid out of the booth, stood and began emptying his pockets.\u00a0 When he was finished, there were about forty to fifty cigarette butts and matches in the bowl.\u00a0 He slid back into the seat as Huggy looked at him in shock.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease tell me they\u2019re not all from today.\u201d Dave just looked at him, cringing a bit. \u201cYou smoke way too much, my brother,\u201d he said as he stood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Dave agreed.\u00a0 \u201cI gotta cut down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCut down, nothin\u2019!\u00a0 You gotta stop.\u00a0 Those things are gonna kill ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou smoke!\u201d Dave challenged.\u00a0 \u201cPot\u2026kettle\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy held up his hand to stop the comment.\u00a0 \u201cWere you just gonna call me black?\u201d he asked with a smile.\u00a0 Just then his name was shouted from across the room.\u00a0 \u201cStay here and I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave sat back in the booth and watched Huggy walk over to the bar, dumping his cigarette butts in the trash.\u00a0 His thoughts turned to the things Huggy had said.\u00a0 Was he still being the soldier, still being on guard?<\/span><\/p>\n

He caught himself as his eyes began to scan the room again, realizing that Huggy was right.\u00a0 He was sitting sentry.\u00a0 He did the same thing at the park earlier today, sitting, watching the families and the kids.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And the cigarettes!\u00a0 In \u2018Nam, no matter where you were or what you were doing, you always policed your area, making sure you never left behind anything that let the enemy know you were there.\u00a0 Especially cigarette butts.<\/span><\/p>\n

He thought back to his time in New York, his time here, even his time in Mexico. He hadn\u2019t even realized he was still doing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy was right.\u00a0 In his mind, he was still the soldier<\/em>.\u00a0 Well<\/em>, he thought, It\u2019s time to put the soldier to rest.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

At that moment, Huggy came back to the table, placing another beer in front of him along with a plate of fries and a burger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Huggy said. \u201dEat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuggy\u2026 I can\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust eat, will ya?\u00a0 Mama Walters will skin me alive if she sees you being all skinny like that.\u201d He pushed the plate closer to Dave.\u00a0 \u201cYou eat and I\u2019ll fill you in on what\u2019s gonna happen next.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He waited for Dave to pick up the burger and take a bite before he continued.\u00a0 \u201cNow, when you\u2019re done here, we\u2019re gonna head over to the Y and get your things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d Dave asked around his mouthful of food.\u00a0 \u201cAnd where am I gonna live?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy pointed to the staircase at the end of the bar.\u00a0 \u201cUpstairs are two rooms.\u00a0 I live in one of them but the other one is empty.\u00a0 Now, it ain\u2019t much but there\u2019s a bed and a private bath.\u00a0 You can stay there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave put his burger down, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cHuggy, I can\u2019t afford\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Huggy held up his hand, cutting off his protest.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve already squared it with Jake.\u00a0 You get to stay in the room until you get yourself together and, in return, you agree to help out here when needed.\u00a0 Maybe as a bartender, maybe as a dishwasher.\u00a0 Maybe you\u2019ll be waiting on tables or maybe you\u2019ll be bussing them.\u00a0 Whatever Jake needs. You cool with that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave thought a moment then nodded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when you find yourself gainfully employed, you can give Jake twenty bucks a week for the room, at least until you find something better. Agreed?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave nodded again.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Hug.\u00a0 I\u2026I really appreciate it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody needs a little help sometimes.\u00a0 You\u2019ve always been there for me, my friend.\u00a0 Now it\u2019s my turn to be here for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave nodded again, a bit choked up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat!\u201d Huggy smiled, patting Dave\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cFinish up then let\u2019s get this show on the road.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

True to his word, Huggy helped him retrieve his belongings from the Y and moved him into the second room upstairs.\u00a0 And he was right\u2026it wasn\u2019t much: a bed, an easy chair, a small table and chair, a dresser.\u00a0 There was a small closet to hang his clothes and a bathroom, with a shower.\u00a0 Not much but it had everything he needed.\u00a0 And it was nice having Huggy nearby.<\/span><\/p>\n

And true to his<\/strong> word, when he wasn\u2019t out looking for a job, Dave helped out in the bar.\u00a0 Everything from tending bar to washing dishes to taking out the trash.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He had found some random jobs: doorman at a club for a couple of nights, delivery for a pharmacy for another few days.\u00a0 He even tried pizza delivery for one night before he decided it was definitely not for him.\u00a0 What he\u2019d found was enough to put a few dollars in his pockets but, so far, nothing permanent.<\/span><\/p>\n

He also starting working on getting himself together. Step one was keeping the soldier<\/em> in him under control.\u00a0 Being vigilant was not a bad thing but he made a conscious effort to not become super-vigilant.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t easy but, gradually, he found himself feeling not so much on the outside anymore.\u00a0 Step two was cutting down on the cigarettes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, two weeks after moving into the room over the bar, he was down to one pack of smokes day.\u00a0 He knew that wouldn\u2019t sound like a big deal for anyone else, but for someone who had emptied almost two packs of butts out of his pockets two weeks before, it was an accomplishment.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d been working at the bar all morning, helping out in the kitchen.\u00a0 He was just coming in the back door after taking out the trash when he heard Huggy calling his name.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight here, Hug.\u00a0 What\u2019s up?\u201d he responded as walked past the kitchen, heading for the main room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s someone here that wants a word with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He entered the room to be greeted by a face he hadn\u2019t seen in far too long.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if it isn\u2019t David Starsky, the little wildcat!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJackson?\u00a0 Jackson Walters!\u201d\u00a0 Dave moved forward, wrapping his arms around his old friend. Exchanging pats on the backs, both men stepped away, looking each other up and down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Jackson spoke. \u201cSo how you doin\u2019?\u00a0 You\u2019re not looking half as bad as Huggy led me to believe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m getting my act together here\u2026with Huggy\u2019s help, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve made but a small contribution to the rehabilitation of young Starsky here,” Huggy said. “Go, sit down.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get your order.\u00a0 And a couple of beers, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot for me, Hug.\u201d Dave headed to the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get a coffee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon the three men were sitting in a booth, talking over old times, exchanging recent histories, while Jackson ate his burger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, hold on,\u201d Jackson said, putting down his sandwich and pulling his wallet from his back pocket.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got something you\u2019ve got to see.\u201d He removed a picture from his wallet, passing it over to Dave.\u00a0 \u201cLet me introduce you to Jackson Walters, Jr.\u00a0 My son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSon?\u201d Dave smiled as he looked at the picture of a boy of four-, maybe five-years-old, bright eyes and a big smile.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s beautiful, Jackson.\u00a0 Really.\u201d He handed the picture back.\u00a0 \u201cSo, you\u2019ve been busy while I\u2019ve been gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d Jackson beamed as he returned the picture to its place of safety.\u00a0 \u201cIt hasn\u2019t been easy at times but, well, Junior\u2019s worth it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave reached out to his friend, asking with just a look.\u00a0 Jackson nodded at the offer of comfort.\u00a0 \u201cDo you remember Molly Hastings?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe got married about a month after you left town.\u00a0 And seven months later, Junior was born.\u201d\u00a0 Jackson chuckled. \u201cYeah, it was like that.\u00a0 We were planning on getting married anyway but, well, we felt the need to move things up a bit, ya know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave nodded again, as his friend continued.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLife was good for us.\u00a0 Then Molly got sick\u2026cancer.\u00a0 She died when Junior was two.\u00a0 After that, we moved back in with Mama.\u00a0 Junior, he loves Mama and she just adores him, so life isn\u2019t so bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what are you doin\u2019 with yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, right now I\u2019m driving a cab.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got an application in for a public transit job but, until that comes through, I make enough to keep my family going.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They talked for a while longer until Jackson finished his lunch.\u00a0 Pushing away his plate, Jackson started to get up.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ve got to get going.\u00a0 Back to the grind, ya know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave smiled at his friend as he, too, stood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Starsky.\u00a0 You ever think about driving a cab?\u201d Huggy asked, still sitting in the booth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, no, not really,\u201d Dave answered, looking at Huggy then back to Jackson.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou interested?\u201d Jackson asked.\u00a0 \u201cMy boss, he\u2019s always looking for good drivers, and I know you can drive.\u00a0 He\u2019s a fair man; he\u2019ll work with you as far as scheduling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave was quiet for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cDriving a cab, huh?\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t thought about that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the pay isn\u2019t great but it\u2019s more than enough to keep you going until you decide what you really want to do. If you\u2019re interested and you want to give it a shot, I\u2019ll be happy to take you down and introduce you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me think about it, okay?\u201d\u00a0 Dave offered his hand to his friend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jackson took the hand, shaking it.\u00a0 \u201cSure.\u00a0 Give me a call in a day or so.\u00a0 Huggy\u2019s got my number.\u00a0 You can come by the house for dinner.\u00a0 Mama will be so happy to see you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat am I?\u201d Huggy asked \u201cChopped liver?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Jackson and Dave laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d Jackson said to Dave. \u201cYou can bring the skinny guy, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They said their farewells and Jackson left.\u00a0 Dave sat back down in the booth, across the table from Huggy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo,\u201d Huggy asked.\u00a0 \u201cYou thinkin\u2019 about it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Dave said, a bit distracted, thinking about the possibility of a steady job.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m thinkin\u2019 about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

To be continued…<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Click here for Part 1 Click here for Part 2 Click here for Part 3 When his thoughts returned to the present, he found himself turning the two rings that now adorned his little finger.\u00a0 Frankie and Javi.\u00a0 Two beautiful … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,5,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-gen","category-sfw"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/280","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=280"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/280\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":532,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/280\/revisions\/532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}