GRATEFUL
Bobby sat alone, although surrounded by a sea of strangers. He was accustomed to being on his own, so it didn't bother him. The fact that he was there was all that mattered to him. And the fact that she had invited him and really wanted him there made it all the more special. His presence meant the world to her.
His career in both in the Army's CID and the NYPD had afforded him all too many glimpses of the dark side of humanity: lies, deceit, thievery, murder. Lives destroyed; families torn apart. It all hit too close to home. He could relate to and empathize with the victims. He could understand the perps --get inside their heads --and that was sometimes a scary place to be.
But tonight was different. Tonight was one of the nights when he saw living proof; proof that his career path --his talent as an investigator and profiler was beneficial to the City's population --to mankind, in general.
Her blonde hair shimmered in the light and when their eyes connected, she flashed him a radiant smile and mouthed a 'thank you' over the resounding applause.
Bobby stood and joined the strangers surrounding him in their ovation. He smiled and gently nodded his head. He knew that she was grateful. Grateful that he was there. Grateful to be alive.
As the ovation grew, tears of happiness for her welled in his eyes. He smiled as he watched Kathy Devildis take her final bow on the stage at Yale.
The End.