AUGUST 8, 2009 – Danny
Danny Reagan zig-zagged around his brother, darted toward the basketball hoop and jumped. With a swish, the basketball dropped through the hoop and into his waiting hands. "One last perfect lay-up. And that's the game. What's wrong with you, kid? You made winning easy today."
Jamie took a second to wipe at the sweat dripping down his face. "Out of practice, I guess. Spent all my time recently studying for the Bar exam."
Danny dribbled the basketball. "Nah. That was over last week. You're playing distracted. Why?"
Because I am distracted, Jamie thought. Because I've got to tell you something that's guaranteed to get you pissed off with me. On his father's and grandfather's advice, he'd waited to tell Danny and Erin about his changed career plans until his admission to the Academy was finalized. But he couldn't delay any longer. "You want to sit down?" Jamie asked, gesturing toward the nearby bleachers.
"No, I don't want to sit down." Danny frowned, unease tickling the back of his neck. "Tell me what's going on."
"Tell him. It's not going to get any easier, kiddo," Joe encouraged as he leaned against the bleachers.
"Danny, I'm leaving Baker McKinney. Giving them my two-week notice on Monday. I'm not going to be an attorney. I applied to the NYPD, they accepted me, and I'm starting at the Academy next month."
Danny stared at him for an uncomfortable few seconds. "The hell you are," he finally snapped.
Jamie tried not to flinch at his brother's anger. "Danny, I've been accepted at the Academy, and I'm going…"
Danny angrily dribbled the ball against the hardwood floor, each bounce echoing loudly through the gym. "You don't have the skills you need to make it."
"I have as many skills as you did when you entered the Academy," Jamie argued.
"No you don't. I had two years in the Marines, plus some street smarts. All you've got is a head full of dusty old legal crap that won't do a thing to help you do the job."
"Danny, don't be an ass."
"Dumbass," Jamie muttered under his breath.
"What did you just say?" Danny threw the ball at his brother. It bounced off Jamie's head, sending him stumbling backwards onto his behind. "I'm not being an ass. I'm being realistic. That right there shows why this is the dumbest idea you've ever had! You just stood there, trusting me not to hurt you."
"Because you're my brother!" Jamie held one hand to his scraped forehead.
"Well, that's how cops get killed. Trusting people like that." Danny turned to head for the locker room.
"I won't make that mistake again," Jamie yelled at his brother's back. Completely enraged, he scrambled to his feet and tackled Danny to the ground. Which, he quickly decided, was another mistake he wouldn't make again. Danny had Academy training, plus Marine Corps training, plus a good amount of anger on his side, and Jamie only managed to swing a few punches before he found himself face down on the basketball court with Danny's knee in his back and one arm pinned behind him. "Lemme go."
"Not until you admit how stupid this idea of yours is," Danny growled.
"Fine. Attacking you was stupid, and I won't do it again." Jamie tried to squirm free.
Danny put more pressure on Jamie's arm. "Not that idea, Harvard."
"No."
Joe knelt down beside his brothers, facing Danny. "Danny, stop! Don't break his arm. That won't change his mind. Going to the Academy, following our footsteps, it's what he wants."
Danny squeezed his eyes shut. Now he was hearing things. He let go of his brother's arm, but didn't let him up. "You'd better pay attention at the Academy. Because you have a lot to learn, and I don't want to end up the only surviving brother out of the three of us." At his words, Danny felt the fight go out of his little brother.
"I promise I will. I'll be the best cadet they've ever seen. For Joe."
Danny released his brother and stood up. "Damn right you will. And I'm not through arguing with you about this. And I want to be there when you tell Erin." He stalked off toward the locker room.
"Then you'd better show up for Sunday dinner tomorrow!" Jamie yelled after his brother.
"That went about as well as expected," Joe commented. He knelt down beside Jamie and studied the scrape on his forehead. "Better give him some space, so he doesn't do worse."
Jamie slowly stood up and retrieved the basketball from where it at come to a rest in the middle of the court. He dribbled it a few times, then tossed it at the basket. He'd give Danny some time to cool off before he headed for the locker room. He scooped up the ball and made another shot. Tomorrow's family dinner was sure to be memorable.