Round One
Scene: the Gym
Jamie had been boxing since he joined the force. Actually it had been a lot longer than that…thanks to having Danny for an older brother. He enjoyed it…it was a great way to blow off steam, so he came in as often as he could. And now he had another reason…
He stood braced behind a heavy bag while Anna gave it everything she had.
"That's it, Baby! Jab! Jab! One-two! One-two! That's it! Good…"
She stopped to catch her breath.
"You're doing so good!" He was really proud of her.
"Are we expecting company?"
"What?"
"Uncle Tony…comin' up on your seven o'clock…"
Jamie turned around to see Renzulli coming from the locker room, wearing sweats and a t-shirt.
"Hey, Sarge…what're you doing here?"
"Ah, doctor wants me to lose about thirty pounds…" Renzulli slapped at his gut. "The question is, what are you doin' here?"
"What does it look like? I'm workin' out…"
"I mean, doesn't Anna have the day off of school today? I figured you'd be with her."
Anna stepped out from behind the bag. She was dressed in her workout clothes and she had the boxing gloves on her hands.
"Hey, Uncle Tony…"
Renzulli's eyes went wide in surprise. What the hell was his goddaughter doin' in a cop gym? He shot Jamie a dirty look.
"Bambina…what're you doin' here?"
Anna just looked at him with those big brown eyes…
"Sweating like a horse." She answered with all the innocence of one of her kindergarteners.
Jamie had to turn away and stifle his laughter.
"I mean, what are you doing here…in this gym…with all these sweaty cops? And with these things on?"
He raised one of her hands and let it fall back down.
"Jamie's been teaching me how to box."
Renzulli turned on his partner.
"What are you? Outta your damn mind? She could get hurt!"
"C'mon Sarge…like I ever do anything to hurt Anna?"
Renzulli was unconvinced. And Jamie was more than a little irritated. Before his Irish temper got the better of him and he said something he couldn't take back…
"Why don't we show him what we've been practicing?" he said to Anna.
She nodded.
Jamie switched places with her and got behind the bag. He braced himself…and looked Anna in the eyes.
"Okay…deep breath…focus…from the top. Jab. Jab. Jab…snap your shoulder…that's it! Keep going…now, one-two! One-two! Perfect! Now go for the body! Upper cut! You got it! Give it all you got! Faster! Faster! Good! Now finish him!"
Anna fired off the last series of punches like a pro.
Jamie let go of the bag and picked Anna up and hugged her tightly.
"That was awesome! I'm so proud of you!"
She hugged him just as tightly. She was proud too…
Jamie set her down and they both turned to face Renzulli…
He stared at the two of them, both of them breathing hard with sweat pouring down their faces. Jamie reached out and grabbed their towels off the bench. He handed Anna hers first before he wiped his face and hung his towel around his neck.
"So…what did you think Sarge?"
"You taught her all that?"
"Yeah…I worry about her…walking around the neighborhood…staying late at school…I just want her to be able to take care of herself."
Renzulli slowly nodded…like he was finally coming around.
"You done good, Reagan."
He held out his hand to Jamie. The two clasped hands and slapped each other on the shoulder.
"Excuse me? What about me? I did a little work here too…"
Renzulli hugged his goddaughter.
"You did good too, Baby Girl. I'm proud of you. I don't know why I didn't think to teach you a few things before…"