Captain Heart CH 2

About 4:00 the next afternoon things went crazy at the precinct and Don was going to call Karen and cancel then realized he had no idea of how to get in touch with her. The detectives were watching him like a hawk and he cursed his loose tongue for telling them something like he 'had a date.' It wasn't actually a date. A meeting, that's what he should have said. It was too late now, he was stuck with it.

Things had settled down to a dull roar by 5:45 so he bit the bullet and went to meet Karen. She had found a booth and there was a cup of coffee waiting for him with all the condiments available. She was drinking a soft drink and writing a list of some kind on the table. She closed the notebook when he sat down. "Hello." He said. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

"Not at all. Hello. I was just jotting down some things I need to take care of."

"It looked like quite a list."

"If there's no rest for the wicked, I'm Satan's bride. How was your day?"

"It was okay, but you didn't want to talk about that did you?"

"OOO right to the point. I like that. No, that wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about. Katie is one of the seven kids I have at my place now. I try to provide a home for troubled kids from homes where there was abuse, drugs, all manner of problems. Is there a Mrs. Captain?"

"No, I'm a widower."

She nodded once and continued. "Most of my kids just need love and some guidance. Some stability and support. Unfortunately what they also require is a strong male role model and some good old fashion talking to once in a while. I can do the talking to, but as to the male role model, I'm sadly lacking. Katie took to you like a duck takes to water yesterday and I'm amazed. She's never done that before. I was hoping I might persuade you to come out to my place every once in a while and just hang out with the kids. You seem to have a way with them, of course, I saw your office so it looks like you have your hands full of kids of your own."

Don snorted derisively. "Some days it feels like that. I really don't have a lot of time to do things off duty…."

"I understand. I had to ask. Part of the reason I asked is because many of these kids have had negative male role models in their lives. And what's worse is that the ones they do come in contact with are male police officers. So they are getting a double dose of negativity. Not to be too blunt about it, Don, but what these kids need it exactly what you have an abundance of. You have patience, wisdom, you are non threatening, yet you have a 'Don't even think about it' demeanor about you. I noticed it right away. I'm not asking you to come out as a police captain. I was hoping I could persuade you to come out to visit and see what we're all about. If you decide not to come back, maybe you could recommend someone to do it instead."

"What about Elliott? He has four kids."

"I can't do that. He's a nice enough guy, but he has anger issues. That would be like putting the fox in the hen house. I like my chickens whole, thank you."

The waitress came over for a refill. "What kind of pie do you have today?" Don asked.

"Cherry and Chocolate."

"I'll have a slice of Cherry. How about you?"

"I'd like to see a menu, please. I'm going to eat here. I get one afternoon a week off to eat my whole dinner without a food fight and I'm doing it here." Karen laughed.

"Mind if I join you?" Don asked.

"That'd be nice. You aren't going to start a food fight, are you?"

"I don't plan on it." He grinned. "Never mind the cherry pie. I'll have the roast beef platter. It's always good here."

"Then make it two and bring us the pie afterward. I'll have the chocolate." Karen grinned.

"Two specials coming up. Do you want a refill?" the waitress asked Karen.

"With the food, please. Thank you."

"So dinner at your house must be a riot." Don grinned.

"We have our days. Seriously though, I have a reason for looking for someone to help me now, other than the fact that it's providence that I just met you. I have a young man at my home who is 14 and he has some serious anger management problems. I've tried to help him, but he needs a man to show him that men do not need to hit to be a man. Hitting is the only way he knows to communicate then he's angry. He has a stuttering problem and it seems to be more pronounced when he's mad and that makes him madder still. So far he has not hit me, but he has come close. He's in counseling, but he's skating on thin ice. If he does hit me even once I'll have to bounce him and he'll end up in juvie. I'm trying to prevent that."

"Maybe that's where he should be."

"Maybe, but I think that there's just enough good in him that he could be turned around, but it's going to take someone with a lot of self discipline to do it. That's why I'm hoping you'll at least give us a chance."

"My job keeps me pretty busy, but I guess I could spare a couple of hours now and again."

"One thing, I tell everyone who comes to my place. I pull no punches and I will always be straight with them if they're straight with me. I will tell them what you do and that I'm not putting any restrictions on you. If they misbehave or are in any way disrespectful, you are free to come down on them as hard as you like, short of actually hitting them. If they hit you first, then all bets are off. I never ever come on like gangbusters the first time, but I don't back down either. I'll support whatever action you take."

"That's a lot of confidence in someone you just met."

"You come highly recommended."

"I do? By who?"

"I asked about you at the agency I work with. They had nothing but high praise for you."

"I don't know what to say."

"I'm surprised that you're surprised. You check people out all the time, don't you? If I was working with disturbed children, doesn't it make sense that I'd want to ask about you before I asked you?"

"If you put it that way, it does. So how about your husband? Does he mind?"

"I don't have one. I wear a wedding ring, because there are a number of people who believe someone our age is desperate if they aren't married. Or at least that's what I've been told. This keeps the leeches away and it gives me some leverage for overzealous parents who think a woman alone can be a pushover. It's a preventative strike to keep them at bay. I have male assistants, but they're by and large young or transitional."

The waitress interrupted the conversation to bring the meals and Karens other drink. They smelled heavenly. Don dug into his because she did also. The conversation turned to other matters and he found himself laughing at her jokes and stories. They agreed on the same music and the foibles of the younger generation, though Karen refused politely but firmly to give her age. "And don't you go poking around, either, Don Cragen, or I'll sic Katie on you." She wagged her finger in his face.

"Heaven forbid." He grinned.

It was getting late and Karen yawned then again. "I'm so sorry. It's not the company, really."

"That's okay. I'm an early riser anyway. Can I call you back concerning this issue?"

"Only if you tell me over another dinner, yes or no. I enjoyed myself."

"It's a deal. How about Friday night? If you can get away that is."

"I'd like that. Do you like a fish fry?"

"Yes."

"Good. There's an all you can eat fish fry out by me that serves up some darn big pieces. And the buffet is worth every penny. My treat."

"How do I get there?"

Karen told him while they paid and they walked outside. He followed her to a pickup truck. "Thank you for a nice time, Don." She held out a hand to shake his.

He took it in his. "I enjoyed it too. I'll see you Friday night."

She got into the truck and started it up. She backed out of the spot. "One more thing. Do you dance?"

"Not well."

"Perfect. See you then." She laughed, waved and drove away. He went back to his car and went home.

TBC