Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Hardcastle and McCormick. I don't own the judge's rose garden. (Now, if only I had the pool….) I am making no money from this drabble.
I had promised Owl one more episode-related drabble for her list challenge – one from "Man in a Glass House," and here it is. The italicized quotes are exact dialog taken from episode transcripts.
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
by e-pony
"Go weed." Fatherly advice if ever he'd heard it. Except he hadn't. Not really. His father hadn't been around much to offer any. Besides, there hadn't been a garden to weed – just a rusted fire escape and dingy back alley.
"I never knew you had a son…. Why didn't you tell me?" Obviously, the judge didn't fully trust him yet, and Mark couldn't blame him. He wasn't some war hero, just an ex-con whose old man hadn't cared enough to stay.
"You're not a substitute if that's what you're thinkin'." Thinking? Of course not! Hoping? Well… maybe just a little.