Second Chances: What Matters Most.
When Robbie Simon is nominated to replace a beloved friend, danger and hard decisions threaten to tear apart a family.
(Simon & Simon, The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman are all owned by Universal Studio and are only being borrowed. No profit will be made off these characters. All other original characters are created and owned by me and you can't have them.)
(The quote, "In all that you do, do your best", is by Harrison Lapahie. Many thanks to the Window Rock, Arizona and the Navajo Nation web sites for inspiration. The descriptions of the Tribal Council of Silver Rock are unique unto this fictional town and are not based on any one town or group. Diyin God Naabeehó Dine'é. (God Bless The Navajo Nation!)
"Okay, put them over the doorway, Ricky."
Expertly tying off the jade and silver balloons in the shape of an arch, Ricky Simon stepped backwards, only to forget he was on a stepladder.
"Hey!…" he started to yell, then a strong arm caught him and set him on the ground.
"Thanks, Uncle Steve…." He gulped, then grinned as Steve Austin shook his head.
"Never forget where you are, son, that wouldn't have felt too good."
"I know, thanks. Is it straight enough?"
"It's just right, your Aunt will be so surprised by all this." Steve chuckled as A.J. Simon popped his head out of the house. "She sure will, Rick's gotten really good at this. She thinks they're babysitting for Robbie and Ramona tonight."
"Good, because I need to have a few words with Robbie." Steve got a set look on his face. A.J. shook his head.
"He'll listen to you, Steve, God only knows Laurie and Rick have bitten their tongues on this one. I don't think the Chief would want him to head the Council with this land business on his plate, but then again, Robbie's not a quitter."
"No, I don't want him to be one, but with his family and his work, the pressure.." Steve sighed.
The sound of Rick's truck alerted them to hurry and finish, but the decorators were relieved to see just Rick get out of his car.
"Hey, guys….." Rick began, then stopped, surprised at the balloon arch over the front door, the streamers around the porch, and a silver banner proclaiming "Happy Birthday!"
"Well, what do you know, Dad, I think Uncle Rick's speechless!" Ricky laughed, as Steve added, "Or shocked, where's the birthday girl?"
Rick chuckled. "Getting her hair done. Linda gave her a hair appointment for her birthday; she's going to bring her home in about 30 minutes. I wanted to stay, but it's supposed to be a surprise for me too!"
A.J. smiled. "That's my Linny, she wanted to have Sis get her hair fixed sometime ago, but Laurie kept joking she wanted to look like a Grandma."
At that, Rick grew somber; Laurie's hair color had never returned after her head injury, remaining a silvery brown. He knew it bothered her, but for her to resign herself to it….
"Come on, pal, let me help you with her stuff." Steve cleared his throat and nudged his friend. Rick gave him a look, then chuckled.
"Thanks, Steve. Remind me to get you some good cigars next time I go to San Diego."
"I will." Steve replied smugly, breaking them all up.
Unloading food, presents and assorted party accessories, Rick left the others to set things up and went to their bedroom, clutching a bouquet of forget-me-nots.
Closing the door, he went to the closet then removed a small box he had hidden in one of his jackets. Opening it, he gazed at a opal and diamond ring in the shape of a flower.
"I hope she knows what this means, what she means to me." He thought, closing the box then putting it into a small blue and silver bag, he placed it on her pillow, then spread out a silk scarf and placed the flowers around her present.
Just then the phone rang, and when he came out of the room, he found A.J. had picked it up.
"Five minutes? Okay, I think we're ready, honey. Thanks."
"Robin?"
"Yeah, Linny and Laurie left the salon about 20 minutes ago, she said. She's on her way, Ian just got the kids in the car." A.J. checked his watch, then went into the kitchen to get things set up for lunch.
As Steve went into the guest room to change, a familiar car pulled in, and Rick caught sight of his son and daughter-in-law, kids in tow. As he went to greet them, he was relieved to see the bruises and scrapes on his son's face had almost faded. It had only been two weeks, but still, the nightmares kept coming back.