Jim fixed his tie and smoothed down the lapels of his jacket. He looked in the mirror. Age had greyed his hair but had not dulled his eyes, although at this moment they sparkled even more, with unshed tears. Jean came up behind him and asked in a low voice, "Are you ready?"
Jim shook his head but couldn't answer. It had been almost 40 years since the last time he had ridden alongside his best friend and now he was gone. There was a knock at the front door as he walked out of the bedroom with Jean trailing behind him. The now grown Jimmy entered the living room with his wife and their three teenage kid in tow.
"Hey, how are you doing?" Jimmy asked as he hugged his dad.
Jim looked at Jimmy but still couldn't form any words. Jean grabbed her husband's hand. "It'll be ok," she reassured, "but we need to get going."
00000
The church was filled. Mourners, both young and old had come to pay their last respects. Jim acknowledged his old friends and coworkers as he made his way up to the front of the church and sat down in the pew. The minister started the service, but Jim was lost in his own land of remembrance. He was roused when Jean squeezed his shoulder. "It's time," she said through tears of her own.
Jim walked up to the lecturn. He had a few notes but didn't even look at them. He knew what he wanted to say.
"Pete Malloy was the finest man I've ever known. He was the best of us. He dedicated his life to the city and the people he loved. Honest, loyal, brave and caring. He was all I strove to be as an officer and a man. He taught me how to be a cop, but more than that, he taught me how to live life as if every day could be my last. There was never anyone I trusted more than him, and I will miss him every day for the rest of my life." Jim choked up, unable to speak any longer. Jean came to his side and stood by him as he gathered the resolve to finish, "Farewell, my friend and may you rest knowing that your life will never be forgotten."
A/N: Farewell Martin Milner, we will not forget you.