Departure

Act 1, Part 4: The Summer of '76

As Steve departs for Boston, he wonders about Mike's acceptance of Jeannie's new boyfriend. Joey becomes more of a fixture at the Hammer brothers' place.

I walked back into the front room. Seeing the three together, it was apparent Dan was anxious to leave. Steve looked agitated and perplexed at the same time, but I figured much of that had to do with what he was going through with his grandfather and knowing that he had a seven hour flight ahead of him. Jeannie was oblivious and her normal, cheerful self. She grabbed her handbag, gave Steve a kiss on the cheek and wished him safe travels. Then she latched onto Dan's arm and took off.

My interactions with Dan have been few and far between. Jeannie met him at a young adults' outing through our church late last summer. They kept in touch some throughout the semester and then went out once or twice over Christmas break when Jeannie was back home. The second semester was similar to the first. During that time, I ran into Dan a few times at the station. Truth be told, I think Dan is a little nervous around me.

But he seems to be a nice young man. He's a former soldier and from what I've heard from his colleagues, he can be tough if he needs to be. Jeannie has said he's very polite and a health nut. Being army trained, he's aware of the impact of what he does on his body (unlike another young man I know). Dan tries very hard to do what's right at every level. Given what I've seen and heard, though, Dan probably tries too hard.

The pair rode mostly in silence to the airport, which was nearly an hour from Mike's house. Mike asked if Steve knew the flights available. The young man said he didn't, but was going to see if he could get a bereavement fare or just go standby.

"Is your grandfather in Boston proper?" Mike inquired.

"He's in Cambridge, near the school. He's lived in the same house for nearly fifty years."

"Oh, yeah. In that area, some of the homes are historic, aren't they?"

"His is from the 1700's. He and my grandmother bought that house nearly fifty years ago. It's a wonderful old brownstone. I spent two summers in the loft bedroom," Steve thought back for a bit. "I have a lot of good memories of that old house."

"Is your grandmother alive?"

"No, she died several years ago."

"And these are your mother's parents we're talking about?"

"Yes. Of course, you know Mom died years ago as well. She was their only child and I'm their only grandchild. So, there's not a lot of family."

"It's tough to go through this alone. I take it that Carolyn couldn't make the trip with you?" Mike asked.

"I hadn't thought to ask her. She works and I don't think there's a bereavement policy for your boyfriend's grandparent."

The pair lapsed back into silence until Steve spoke again. "So, you are okay with Jeannie dating a cop now? I thought there was a 'no cops' rule with you."

Mike sighed. "If I thought I had any real authority over who my little girl dated, I would have set up rules long ago. But she's twenty four years old and she's 'lib-er-ated'," Mike struggled as he said the word. "I believe that means she's free to date whomever or whatever she chooses."

Steve let out a slight chuckle. "So, it doesn't bother you? I thought you didn't want Jeannie to go through the angst that many cops' wives go through. You know, the stress of someday getting that call." Steve had heard Mike say this many times, in fact.

Mike was philosophical with his reply. "I'd love to spare her of that, but if her true love is a cop, then who am I to tell her 'no'? By the way, do you know Dan?"

"I've met him, but I don't know him that well. He doesn't seem like a bad guy, though," Steve conceded.

"Sounds like a ringing endorsement", Mike chuckled.

"She could do better, but she could also do far worse." Steve attempted to improve his comment, but failed.

"I'll say it again: sounds like a ringing endorsement."

Steve simply replied, "Hmmm."

Minutes later, Steve inquired again. "But they have been dating for nearly a year. Why didn't you say something?"

"What's there to say? She's had maybe four or five dates with the guy over the past ten months. She dates other guys, you know. Remember, she's 'liberated'."

"Well, thank goodness for that," Steve said under his breath.

"Who are we seeing the Giants play today?" Jeannie asked Dan.

"The Cardinals. We have a chance against them too. The don't have the players they did a few years ago." Dan took a breath as if to continue.

Jeannie opted to preemptively avoid the baseball analysis and changed the subject. "Tell me about the restaurant."

"It's called 'The Pier at Candlestick'. They specialize in seafood."

"Sounds good," she smiled as she returned her glance out the window and absorbed the sights near the ballpark. She could feel the repressed childhood enthusiasm emerge as the couple drove up a side street and got a quick glimpse of Candlestick Park. Every element of the ballpark was simply thrilling. The smell of grease and beer, the stickiness of the concrete from who-knows-what and the bright green turf that always looked so perfect added to her enthusiasm.

There were times growing up when she became the son her father never had. Mike would take her to see the Giants and Athletics several times during the summer. Helen, never terribly interested in going herself, saw this as an opportunity for father and daughter to do something together. Helen would call it a 'daddy/daughter date'.

When Jeannie went away to college six years ago, she made fewer trips to the ballpark. Even though she was home in the summer, her free time was far less and the pair didn't attend as many games. It was around the time of her departure for college when Mike found a new friend to accompany him. She was happy that Steve was there to fill the void, but there were times when she desperately missed the games and her daddy/daughter dates.

Joey finished mopping the pool hall floor. "All done, Buddy."

"It looks great, kid. Thanks. Hey, there's one more thing I'd like for you to do for me."

"What's that?"

"I have a package that needs to be delivered. It's only a couple of blocks away. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure, I guess." Joey reached his hand out to take the small package.

"Good." Sensing Joey's puzzlement at the package, Buddy continued. "I sell gaming supplies on the side. Things like chalk, spare balls, darts, etc. Stuff like that. Let me show you this one." Buddy took back the package and unpacked a carefully wrapped cue ball. He resealed the package just as carefully taking a moment or two for extra effect. "I package it carefully because some of it is fragile. What I sell is primo quality and I want the merchandise to arrive without a scratch or a crack. So, my one rule is that you don't ever tamper with the package. Got it?"

Joey smiled. "Sure, Buddy, you can count on me."

"Good boy. You got a bike, Joey?"

"Yeah."

"Well, ride it over next time you are here. I may need to deliver packages to places a bit farther out. Now, this package goes to a Mr. Jones. He'll give you an envelope for payment. Come back here when you're done and I'll give you what I owe you today."

Buddy winked as Eric watched Joey leave. "A cue ball?" Eric smirked. "Where are you sending him?"

"Over to Hollings' place. I told him that I was sending the kid over as a trial run. He said he'd be ready for him."

"Excellent."