A Worthwhile Life
It was a Thursday night and, as was Bobby's weekly ritual when he left work at five o'clock, he headed to the small Italian restaurant just over the Brooklyn Bridge for his favorite veal parmesan dinner. Even though the quaint bistro held some bad memories of Dan Croyden and, of course, Nicole Wallace, (who once had rudely interrupted his dinner and spoiled his appetite on that particular evening), that didn't stop him from patronizing his favorite spot.
X X X
The seating hostess escorted Bobby to a small table-for-two towards the rear, near a row of booths occupied by other diners.
"It's good to see you again. Enjoy your meal," she smiled as she removed the unused place setting opposite his seat.
Bobby smiled and said a polite "Thank you." As he looked across the table he felt a bit of sadness tug at his heart. He looked at the table linens, the flickering votive candle, and the small vase holding a single red rose and, finally, the empty chair across the table from him. This would be a nice, romantic place for dinner –if somebody were occupying that seat.
X X XHe ate and enjoyed his food while thumbing through an old paperback –a James Patterson mystery that he'd read twice before—but found himself too distracted by the chatter of the surrounding diners. It was one of those situations that everyone encounters from time to time: not meaning to eavesdrop, but innocently overhearing a conversation. And tonight, Bobby was surrounded: long-married couples reminiscing, new couples flirting and trying to make good impressions; good friends who'd just gotten together to share a meal and catch up on the events of their lives.
The couple in the booth directly behind him sounded young, vibrant and full of life. From what Bobby could overhear, she was a senior in high school who had just gotten the lead in her school play. She was dreaming of attending Julliard. He was a freshman at Columbia and felt overwhelmed by the amount of work and studying he had to do.
". . .Believe me, I should be back at my dorm room studying instead of having dinner and going to see a show," the young man complained.
Bobby winced, knowing that the young man hadn't scored any points with his date for that remark.
"You can study tomorrow night and all weekend. Mom's been trying for months to get these tickets –do even realize how fabulous these seats are?" the young woman gushed.
"I know, I know," the young man said.
Ahh, brother and sister, Bobby smiled as he realized.
"And Mom says you better come to Aunt Carolyn's for Thanksgiving. We're leaving Wednesday afternoon and coming home Saturday," the girl warned.
"I'll see. It depends on how much homework I have."
"Yeah, right. Homework," the younger sister sassed him. "You mean it depends on if Kimberly invites you to her family's." The girl laughed.
X X X
Bobby returned his attention to his food and his book. His mind wandered, even as he read. He missed the fun of having a brother in his life. He missed his mother. He had no plans for Thanksgiving, other than volunteering to work the shift so one of his co-workers –a family man, could have the day off to spend time with his loved ones.
He'd been reflecting on his life often, of late. No wife or girlfriend, no close family –just Lewis; and on thin ice with Eames. He had admitted to himself long ago that he was 'married' to his job. And now, he was wondering if it was worth it. Was it worth sacrificing a life for a career? I have no children –when I die, I'll be leaving no heirs. Frank won't be having any kids. It's the end of the 'Goren' name in our family. No legacy left behind, except for being the wacko detective.
He snapped himself from his depressing thoughts, offering a small smile and 'thank you' when the waitress removed his plates and brought him his coffee and his dessert. He couldn't resist their Tartufo.
After approximately five minutes, the waitress returned –with no check—and quietly said, "The young man and lady in the booth behind have taken care of your check."
With an expression of surprise and suspicious curiosity, Bobby turned in his chair to look at the brother and sister. He saw two smiling faces –very vaguely familiar, although he couldn't place them.
"I'm, I'm sorry…" he stammered, splaying his left hand over his heart, embarrassed to admit he didn't recognize them.
The young man spoke. "It's all right. We didn't expect you to recognize us," he smiled.
As Bobby stood and approached the side of their booth, the young man and woman also stood.
"I'm Jason Renkin," he said, smiling broadly as he extended his hand to shake.
"I'm Natalia," the young girl beamed.
Bobby's face broke into a wide grin. He shook Jason's hand, and bent to one side to accommodate Natalia as she kissed his cheek.
"You're all grown up!" Bobby exclaimed with a huge grin. "But, how did you know…?"
"When I came back from the men's room I saw you. I told Natalia 'that's gotta be him."
"It's so good to see you're both doing well –you're all right."
"Thanks to you," the siblings smiled in unison. "We owe our lives to you."
Bobby blushed, sheepishly, not knowing what else to say.
"Jason and I and our whole family have thought about you so often over the years," Natalia smiled.
"When we go around the table at Thanksgiving, Mom and Natalia and I always say 'thank you, God, for Detective Goren'. If you hadn't been there that day –if you hadn't gotten there in time…"
"I was just doing my job," Bobby said humbly.
"Mom says you're our Guardian Angel," Natalia said. "Look," she told Bobby as she pulled the locket from around her neck and opened it to reveal a small, faded picture of him. "Mom saw your picture in the paper and cut it out and copied it. Jason has one too."
"I keep mine hanging over my bed," Jason said.
"You, you really didn't have to buy me dinner," Bobby said, still feeling embarrassed.
"Yes we did. We just wanted to do something to say 'thank you,' Jason assured him.
"I know, Jace –let's take a picture now! The three of us together. Mom 'll love it!"
Bobby was happy to oblige. As Natalia retrieved her camera from her pocketbook, Bobby caught the attention of his waitress and asked her to snap the shot –Bobby stood in the middle, flanked on either side by the innocent children whose lives he had saved seven years prior.
"I'll download and email you a copy as soon as I get home tonight," Natalia smiled. "You don't mind giving me your addy, do you?"
"Of course not," Bobby said as he wrote on Natalia's note pad.
"I hate to say we have to be going, but we have tickets for a show at eight. Our mom's meeting us at the theater."
"It's all right. It was so good to see you both," Bobby smiled. "How is your mother, by the way?"
"She's well," Jason said. It was a little rough at first. . ."
"But she got her real estate license a few years ago and is doing really well."
"That's good to hear," Bobby said, patting each of them on the shoulder.
Jason and Bobby shook hands, then hugged as Jason said another 'thank you.'
Natalia hugged Bobby and kissed his cheek, then pressed something into his hand and whispered, "Mom's business card. She never remarried, you know," Natalia smiled.
Bobby looked down at the card: Tessa Renkin, Licensed Realtor. He smiled as he watched the happy brother and sister weave their way through the tables as the headed for the exit.
I guess I've done at least one worthwhile thing in my life after all, Bobby said to himself.
He glanced at the empty chair across from his, then looked down at the card. I wonder if Tessa Renkin likes Italian food?
THE END