[General Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or its characters. Their use in the following work of fiction is for entertainment purposes only.]
[AN: The character relationships in this story become clear by context, but readers may want to read "All Ye Faithful" and Chapter 2 of "Cody's Christmas Tale" among my other stories for more background. If the title seems too intense for the content, it's because I'm working on at least one additional chapter that should really roller coaster Cody's emotions, once again testing the healing solace my version of him both finds and offers at Christmas. I need more personal writing time than current obligations give me to "move pieces into place" for the "heavy turn" this one will take. Consider this chapter a down payment for at least one more Christmas Future readers' gift from me. Merry Christmas! Enjoy! – BMillsWrites]
Sinners Reconciled
Chapter 1: An Offer No Godfather Can Refuse
The large words were clear under the impeccably clean plexiglass atop the memorial wall. These words came to life as a young voice spoke them, "Dedicated to the honorable memories of officers who last served in this precinct at their passing from us. May their service for the protection of others inspire us to live for the good of all." The rasp in the voice conveyed an old soul's sense of respect. The reflection that the plexiglass returned belonged to nine year-old Cody Hida.
The boy contemplated the tribute as his reflection joined him in reviewing the names mounted behind the translucent casing. Most of the names appeared on brass, indicating men who had retired first before their loss. There were also silver nameplates for men taken unexpectedly by illnesses or accidents. Thankfully, there were very few names that had to be memorialized with gold plates. One of those bore the name of Hiroki Hida, Cody's father. When the young Hida had dutifully reviewed all the remembered names he returned his reflected gaze to the one he shared and closed his eyes to bow, solemnly whispering, "I promise." Cody rose from his bow and adjusted toward the sturdy glass doors that separated the police precinct's entry foyer from its reception desk and interior. He tried not to make the move into a drill quarter turn. After all, his purpose here today was only mostly formal, so he simply offered a deliberate nod to his new direction.
Some of the newer staff members at the precinct were surprised to overhear the formal little boy's mannerly request to see the officer coordinating this holiday season's donations to the Condolence Fund. That officer came and required the youngster to follow back to an interview room for serious discussion of the matter. Those who passingly glanced at the pair through the room's window also wondered why they seemed to eventually engage in a determined stare-down with one another. However, there was no need for any concern at all because the man playing at confronting the boy was Officer Watu Heita, an old – well relatively old, of course – friend and patrol group partner of Cody's Dad. The staring contest was only just to humor the insistence of the host. It was a match that Officer Heita also had zero chance of winning. The man finally surrendered with a laugh at himself. "I give, I give." Heita admitted as he leaned back, raising his hands above his head and smiling. "Thanks for helping me revive the legendary Heita-Hida staring battles, but you're too good for me Cody."
The winner shrugged off his own victory, politely suspecting that the man enjoyed the idea of getting this particular boy to play such a game much more than winning it. "If you say so Officer Heita-san, thanks a lot."
"Hey now! – none of that 'Officer Heita-san' guff just between us Cody Hida." The policeman playfully jolted in his chair with very exaggerated offense before teasing his guest. "You need to save up your smooth talk for later. Older girls really like it – like you didn't know that already, huh?"
"Uncle Watu-san!" Cody exclaimed in blushing dismay that sent him into a reeling groan back against his own chair. "You know that Yolei is my friend – my best friend – she just happens to be a girl, that's all."
The reply came with humorous pointing emphasis, "Just like you know that you don't have to go all the way back to square one every time you talk to me, right?"
"Right," Cody acknowledged, "Thank you very much for reminding me, I promise … not … to …," Cody saw the overplayed eye roll his fictive uncle gave him, so the boy revised, "I just mean OK, thanks a lot."
"Really Cody, I shouldn't give you such a hard time about showing manners the way you do – though it's great fun to fluster a Hida every now and then. At least you've got manners, which is more than I can say for a lot of people much older than you." Officer Heita quickly projected a deep melodramatic movie voice, "The Manner is strong in your family!"
The youngest Hida sighed, but it was definitely the contended variety. "I think so too."
The approving police officer returned to the reason for the visit. "Now that your 'SERIOUS' is plain 'serious' again, thank you for this seriously generous donation to the Condolence Fund, Cody, just in time with the Christmas season in full swing too."
"You're welcome, and thank you very much." Cody formally accepted with a bowing nod from his seat. When he arranged this visit earlier, the boy had explained the circumstances that surrounded having the money to donate, so now he insisted. "After the generosity that Dr. Orzu-san showed me, and my friend Joe-san's kindness, it's the best right thing to do."
"That's the Cody Hida I've always known." the honorary uncle affirmed proudly. "I'm going to make sure that the Department higher-ups know all about this donation of yours Cody. They'll want to make a big deal out of it – newsletter, web site, the works – but as Little Mr. Odaiba you're used to that kind of stuff by now."
Watu Heita's delight in likely publicizing Cody's donation had the small boy writhing with envisioned embarrassment. "Please Uncle Watu-san, I please just want to give this money anonymously. I understand if you have to tell someone for keeping records or something, but please don't tell anyone you don't have to."
The officer teased again, "Are you serious about that Cody Hida? You should see the look on your face right now – priceless. Well OK, Cody. If anyone asks I'll just say that I'm honoring a request from Reiki's youngest godfather and that's that."
Cody Hida sat up straighter, though mention of Uncle Watu-san's infant son made the youngster smile. Naturally, Cody had politely asked beforehand about the well being of both baby Reiki and Aunt Aishi-san (if Watu-san was Uncle then, of course, his wife had to be Aunt). She was nice, and the boy was glad that Uncle Watu-san had gotten married, because – in spite of what Cody heard some children say around his school – getting married seemed the best way that grownups had to get ready for being Moms and Dads. It was good that Uncle Watu-san was a Dad now. Deeply personal experience convinced Cody that a good police officer being a good Dad was right. Yet, Uncle Watu-san's last sentence perplexed Cody Hida. "Teasing me is OK Uncle Watu-san, but you don't have to pretend I'm a godfather to Reiki just to impress other people about me. That really is a serious, grownup responsibility."
The grownup police officer continued to smile, but spoke with formality that matched Cody's for a change. "I'm not pretending anything, nephew. Aishi and I are waiting until the new year to have Reiki's okuizome ceremony. We've both talked about it, and we want to use the same occasion to introduce you as a special, brotherly godfather to him. That's a responsibility that no grownup can see to for us. Will you do us all the honor of accepting it Cody Hida?"
"A brotherly godfather." The nine year-old repeated with considering awe. Then, more than a few moments of silence passed as he tried to take in the astonishing offer. All manners, seriousness, and because-I-have-to resolve in facing sad things aside, Cody knew he was still a child himself. The Heita family actually wanted him to be a godfather because he wasn't a grownup. Accepting this role would readily commit the young Hida to do everything he could in being a wise example to Reiki. Could he do the other part, and show Reiki what it meant to be young while growing up too? Cody chose to believe he could – and maybe not because he had to, but because he'd want to. The boy stood from his seat, then stepped to the side of the table so he could be seen clear of its height and bowed deeply. "Uncle Watu-san, your invitation humbles me by its honor. Please let me honor it as well by respectfully letting my family give the dignity more consideration and hopeful approval than I can by myself."
"Absolutely Cody, let's get all the great minds thinking alike. Tonight ask your Mom when the best evening in the next few days would be for the Heitas to come over and arrange your new and worthy standing for Reiki. Call me at home tomorrow evening to tell me, and it's a deal. Will that work for you?"
The young Hida nodded earnestly. "Yes, of course Uncle Watu-san. Thanks very much." Cody bowed again. Watu Heita returned the bow, but also insisted on sealing the agreement by forming a big 'O' over his head with his arms. The boy recognized the informal gesture for 'OK' and matched it from his much lower altitude with as much dignity as one could give such an action.
"Good." The officer affirmed. "We'll have a great time talking all about Reiki and you when we're all together soon. For right now, you'll have to excuse me Cody because I promised your Great Uncle Betara I'd return a call from him – some boring administrative matter, no doubt. Because they gave him a desk job here in the Department I have to return his phone calls faster than I used to."
"That's alright Uncle Watu-san," Cody acknowledged. "Thanks for spending this time with me, accepting my donation, and especially for the family honor. Please tell Uncle Betara-san hello for me too." The youngster politely emphasized the Uncle designation ahead of Betara Kudli-san's name. He was the oldest of the former three-person patrol rotation that had included the boy's Dad. The young Hida never called Betara Kudli 'Great Uncle' – only Watu Heita did that to tease the older man. Truth be told, it had taken both men a long time to overcome Cody's resistance to calling either of them 'Uncle' at all. Minako Hida finally asked her son to do that in the months after … things had sadly changed, when life and work without Hiroki Hida was setting in. Both men missed Hiroki too. Cody Hida calling them both 'Uncle' would help them. Cody still agreed with that reason to pretend just a little bit. In fact, he admitted to himself, it really didn't feel like pretend anymore – even though it still was. The youngster offered a parting bow. "See you soon then, Uncle Watu-san, I know the way out from here, so you can get right back to work."
Officer Heita grimaced in mock despair. "Well thanks a lot for that, slave-driver. Say, how are you planning to get back to your apartment building?"
"The same way I got here Uncle Watu-san," Cody noted with plain honesty. "The city bus system has a stop on the corner outside the main entrance. The bus will get me back to the same block as my building."
"It would if you were going to be on it," his host insisted, "However, what you're going to do instead is wait in the lobby for one of the Department's public relations staff to come and give you a ride straight back home."
The young Hida politely counter-insisted. "Thanks for your considerate offer, but that's not necessary Uncle Watu-san. I don't want to keep anyone from doing a job here – or attract attention in my neighborhood for coming home in a police car."
Uncle Watu-san refused the boy's refusal. "It will be a plainclothes staff person driving an unmarked car Cody. Humor your elder and go on to the lobby, that's that."
Cody Hida sighed. "OK you win, Uncle Watu-san," before heading out the door he added seriously, "When it comes to being an elder to me, you're too good." The man laughed, though Cody had only meant to note that the fairness of things now worked in Watu Heita-san's favor. The youngster set off to carry out the latest set of adult instructions.