Robert Goren had seen the single mother and her son on several previous occasions. He had listened to the snippets of conversation, knowing the little boy possessed an active mind. Mom was infinitely patient, answering every question. The twosome always brought a smile. They all frequented a small restaurant, just around the corner from Goren's apartment. Most of the time, the sightings were in passing, he was leaving as they were coming in, or vice versa. This time was different. He had only just been seated when the two walked in behind him. He was looking at the menu when he felt a tug on his suit coat.
"You're a policeman, aren't you?" the little boy asked, slightly in awe.
"Well, before I answer, why do you think I am?"
"I've seen your badge on your belt a few times and the waitress-lady, she calls you 'detected'," he replied, very seriously.
"Michael…" the little boy's mother called, just realizing he was at the gentleman's table. "I am so sorry," she said, crossing the restaurant and taking Michael's hand.
"It's alright." Goren reassured her. Turning to the little boy, he finally answered, "Yes, Michael. I am a policeman."
"Whohoo!! I told you so, mom!!" Michael danced around his stricken mom. "That's what I'm gonna be!! A Policeman!!"
"Look, why don't the two of you join me?" Bobby smiled as he stood, offering the other chairs at his table.
"You don't know what you're getting in to," Mom shook her head. "You won't be having a nice, quiet dinner if we sit down." Mom answered warily.
"Please, I insist." He motioned to the waitress-lady, as Michael had called her, to bring menus and set ups for his two guests. "Robert Goren, detective, NYPD, but my friends call me Bobby." He extended his hand, as Michael's mom sat down.
"I'm Jaycie Conrad and this," motioning to the grinning boy across from her, "is my very happy son, Michael. Mikey, for short"
They placed their order and, for the next hour, Mikey peppered Bobby with questions, ranging from what was it like to be a policeman to had he ever had to kill anybody. Try as she might, Jaycie couldn't quite reign in her curious little boy. Bobby politely answered every question, in between bites of his meal. Finally, Jaycie got Michael to eat. While the little boy ate quickly, Bobby found out that Jaycie was a head bank teller at a local branch banking facility. She was not a native New Yorker and Mikey's dad was no where around. Bobby talked about his partner, Alex, explaining to Mikey that yes, girls made very good cops, too. That he was a confirmed bachelor, with a relatively distant family life. When the server brought the check, Jaycie took it.
"Oh no you're not." Bobby looked at the young mother, as she put the bill on the opposite side, away from Goren. "I am not letting you buy my meal. I invited you."
"Yes, I know, and it was a very special evening for Mikey and me. Look, it's the very least I can do for your kindness and hospitality. Besides, I actually got to eat my supper while it was still hot. I can't remember the last time THAT happened." Jaycie answered with a smile.
Bobby shook his head, but he knew from the very determined look of the lady (reminding him slightly of Eames), he wasn't winning this battle. "Thanks. How about I leave the tip?"
"That's a deal."
Jaycie paid the ticket as Bobby and Mikey walked out front, Mikey still asking questions.
"This was very nice, Jaycie. Mikey. I needed this," Bobby didn't elaborate and Jaycie didn't press. She had noticed the big detective on different times when they had been in the restaurant, sometimes with a very distant or wistful look on his face. Jaycie figured Mikey had, at the very least, provided a welcome distraction from whatever troubles Bobby had. "Do you live close by?"
"Actually, we're just a block up and over," Jaycie replied, motioning left of the restaurant. "You?"
"The same, only the other direction. Here, Mikey, take this." Bobby reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a business card. "This has my phone number on it. If you or your Mom ever need anything or ever have any trouble, you call. Okay?"
Mikey took the card as if it were solid gold, "Yes, sir. Detective Bobby. Yes, sir."
"Well, thanks again," Bobby extended his hand. Jaycie happily returned the warm handshake.
"No, thank you." Taking Mikey by the hand, they turned and made their way toward home.