Cho Ain't Enough

As usual I woke up thirty seconds before the clock went off. I've always been good at waking up when I need to, and the Corps drilled it into me. I still set a clock, but it's more for the pleasure of beating it and turning off before it goes off, than the actual need for it.

I swung my feet to the floor and stood, taking a hands high stretch. Twenty five situps, crunches and push ups later, I was ready for my morning shower. The automatic coffee pot had brewed as I stepped out of the shower. I sat at my small table and sipped my hot black Colombian brew. The radio was tuned to 92.5 KFBK to get the news, weather and traffic.

I know, I don't have a car, but I get some degree of satisfaction by listing to the miseries of those that do. It's the small things in life, but it really didn't lighten my foul Saturday morning mood. Summer was gone and out of my life, and although I'm glad she's happy, good riddance. She cause me to betray a confidence and lose a friend. I sighed. It was just one of those things. You have to honor commitments, and when two commitments conflict, you have to choose. I chose Summer as the earlier commitment, and it bit me.

I'd do it again, but I'm sorry it turned out the way it did. I learned something, though. Something that may have saved my life. Agent Wade, the head of the rapid response team, obviously does not trust me or my judgment. I told her Summer had been my CI and that she was not part of this, but Wade went all law and order on me. She was willing to go by the book, ignoring justice, giving up Summer's chance for a life.

What would it take for her to give my life up? When you go into combat, and rapid response is combat, you have to believe and trust that your squad has your back. Why are we doing this? Is it to enforce a blind law or to seek justice? Where do we draw the line? I know where I draw the line. I draw it where my gut tells me, and, so far, it's been dead on. It was dead on with Summer. I know it was. What would Wade do if push came to shove? What decision would she make?

I groaned and turned the radio off. Once the political blather starts, I lose interest. I'm convinced that those who can do, and that those who can't get a talk show. Saturday morning isn't too bad, but I'm just not in the mood.

I walked over to the refrigerator and stared in. Not a damn thing I wanted. That's about par for the course, these past few days. When life turns to shit, you can count on it only getting worse.

I walked into the corner McDonald's. I stopped inside the door, for a moment, just to smell the odors of warm food. There's something about the smell of warm food that seems to improve the mood. The cute, petite, Chinese, morning girl recognized me and smiled.

"Good morning, Kimbal. Your usual?" I lifted and eyebrow and felt a flicker of a smile, which I suppressed almost instantly. "You think I don't know," she said smiling. "Egg McMuffin, black coffee, and ice on the side. I know." She nodded, wisely.

She not only knows my name, but my usual order! I can't remember her name, if I every really knew it. How did she do that? I know I've never told her my name. I squinted and managed to read her name from her name plate. I'm grateful for my excellent vision! I allowed a polite smile. "You are correct, Liling. Very observant."

She looked down and giggled, a very Chinese giggle, that only the Chinese girls can manage. "Thank you, Cho Kimbal," she said, turning to gather my order.

Curious. She said my name in the traditional manner. She was quick with the order, and though I hadn't said it, I was glad she'd put two Egg Micks on the tray. The coffee cup was large and a little ice was in a sauce holder for me to use to cool the always, too hot coffee.

I almost inhaled the first sandwich, but slowed down to enjoy the second one. I glanced towards Liling and our eyes briefly met. I couldn't help it. I gave a half smile and winked. I think she blushed and looked down. I could hear the tinkle of her giggle.

As usual, I had folded the sandwich wrappers into neat little squares and placed them on the tray next to the empty ice container and coffee cup. I leaned back and stretched, feeling much better. Food and coffee can have that effect. Liling saw me preparing to leave and she came bustling over. She quickly picked up the tray and wiped the table. "You wait short time, okay?" she asked, turning without an answer, taking the tray to the tray drop. On the way back, she placed a small card on the table. She smiled. "You have a good day, Cho Kimbal," she said, smiling and returning to her station.

I picked up the card and read, "One pm, you meet me front door, okay?" I looked up at her and she was staring at me, an anxious look on her face. I nodded, and she visibly relaxed and smiled. Now I was really curious, but one pm would take care of that.

Standing outside, I wished I'd worn more than a sweat shirt. According to the radio, the temperature was supposed to reach fifty five degrees, today, but it had not happened, yet! It was rather chilly, discouraging me from standing around wondering what this was all about.

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