Chapter 6
John walks, with his suitcase, onto the boarding platform. He turns and smiles brightly at Atticus.
"Until next time?" he asks while outstretching his hand. Atticus looks at the hand with a raised eyebrow. He grins slightly, and wraps his arms around John in a tight embrace.
"Remember, I'm a phone call away. Good luck on your case," he says into John's ear. As Atticus releases himself from the embrace, John smiles warmly and nods in response to his reassuring words.
"Hey! Won't you say bye to me?" John looks down at Scout, whose arms are crossed in that girly way. John chuckles slightly, while bending his knees into a squatting position. He places his hands lightly on her shoulders, as a parting relative would.
"You have been a fantastic host Miss. Scout! I hope we will meet again!" John chimes. He begins to move back into a standing position when Scout leaps into his arms, and wraps her own arms around his neck.
"I love you Uncle John, come back soon will ya?" John's arms hang loose in his sudden confusion. He glances at Atticus, whom is baring a smug grin. John closes his eyes, tightly, and manages to hug Scout back.
"I love you too Scout," he replies. Scout breaks the embrace, and steps back. John's hands, once more, move to rest on her slender shoulders. "As for coming back, I'll do my best, but for now I need a favor from you," Scout looks at John expectantly, while using her hand to wipe away a stray tear. "I need you to be a strong young lady, and help out your father. Can you do that for me?" Scout nods in response. As John stands, she shoots off a quick salute.
"10-4 Captain!" she exclaims, holding the salute. John grins, and salutes back.
"At ease detective!" Scout chuckles, and Atticus moves to stand next to her. The train whistle screams throughout the train station. John smiles, one last time, at Atticus and Scout, and then turns towards the train, to board it back to New York.