The cookout at the Taos' was a success. The food was good, the weather fine, and a group that had been together for years bent enough to absorb Amy Sykes and Sharon Raydor. Calling each of them except for Lt. Provenza by first names became the most natural thing in the world that night for Sharon. The squad started becoming accustomed to her way of touching someone's arm or shoulder as a natural part of her way of dealing with them.

Amy relaxed enough to start observing and taking a second to think before rushing into situations even something as simple as speaking. She held her tongue along with the rest of the squad as they watched Sharon mother an abashed Rusty by insisting on him having some of the grilled vegetables plus indicating with a tilt of her head that he should also offer his own thanks to the Taos for their hospitality as they departed.

Rusty prattled on during their drive home about how much he'd enjoyed himself. Sharon suggested he put some of those thoughts on paper in the form of thank you notes to Lt. Provenza for the game and the Taos for dinner.

"Kevin said he'd have to write one." Rusty offered, "It's what his parents expect."

"I would say they also believe it's the right thing to do." Sharon nodded, "It would be nice for you to write thank yous to the others who've helped you with your new paths."

"I don't know what I'd write."

"Something simple about appreciating what's been done and maybe how it'll help you in the future. Short and sweet." She tapped the steering wheel for emphasis.

Rusty sighed, "Whatever. You'll look at them to make sure they're okay."

"I will but I won't tell you what to write. It has to be from your point of view to be sincere."

"My point of view is that I'll sound like an idiot who is trying to be something he's not."

"Too bad, non-negotiable." Sharon offered a small smile to soothe the sting of her words.

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They arrived back at the condo and once there Sharon opted for paperwork at the dining room table. Rusty wandered in and out wondering if he could put on the TV without disturbing Sharon's work.

Before he could ask the super buzzed up. Sharon waved at Rusty to handle it and he happily did liking the responsibility. There were packages downstairs that they'd accepted for the Raydors. Rusty liked that too since it made them sound like more of a family unit. He announced, "I'll be right there."

He also offered to get the mail and Sharon agreed absentmindedly intent on her papers. Rusty grabbed the key, slipped on shoes and headed out. Down in the lobby he crossed to the mailbox to find it stuffed with several envelopes. He wasn't expecting anything but still checked. Nothing for him directly, however he noticed several medical office return addresses and a letter from Sharon's cell phone provider with some bills.

That meant they were referencing him. He was still processing what Lt. Provenza had shared, Sharon put out a lot of her own money to take care of him. He wanted to ask her about it but he couldn't figure out what to say.

Rusty stuffed the envelopes in the back of the jeans when he saw there were two boxes in the mail storage area. One was flat, long and heavy while the other was a more manageable square. He signed for them and balanced them carefully in his arms to head upstairs.

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Sharon hadn't come up for air. She continued to be buried in paperwork but looked up when Rusty came back in."That's quite a load. Mail?"

"Back here so I'd have my hands free. Can I put these on the table?"

"You may."

Rusty rolled his eyes at the grammar correction. "Fine. May I give you your mail?"

"Yes, you may. Thank you." She reached out a hand and took the envelopes.

"What about the packages?"

"I'd say you'd want to open them."

"Me?"

"They're addressed to you." Sharon indicated the boxes, "You didn't look?"

"No, I checked the mail but I didn't check these because I wasn't expecting anything." Rusty hastened to add, "Anything else, besides what you've gotten me already. I'm going to get scissors."

Sharon nodded and put aside the paperwork to sort the mail. She watched Rusty out of the corner of her eye. He went for the smaller box first as she'd hoped. Once opened, he looked inside and a puzzled expression crossed his face. He reached in to pull out an electric toothbrush.

She explained, "The dentist suggested it would be better for you than a regular toothbrush."

"She did but the regular kind is fine, really, Sharon."

"It's okay, the dentist's office had a deal on them. Ordering it saved you from more shopping." Sharon waved a hand toward the hall where the bathroom lay, "Consider it a preventative. This should keep your teeth healthier now and for the future. No one likes dealing with cavities. Go find a place for it."

"Okay and thank you. I'll take good care of it." He turned and the sound of sock clad feet slapping the floor gave Sharon a smile and a sigh. She'd forgotten about teenage boys wearing socks for everything except showers. She'd have to double check on Rusty's sock count since slippers apparently weren't an option.

His return steps were quicker as he approached the other box. "This for me too?"

"It is." She held out the scissors, "Go ahead."

Rusty carefully cut the packing tape and drew back the box flaps. He peeled away packing bubbles and tissue until his hands touched something large and solid. He reached in and pulled out a beautiful polished wood chessboard.

He set it on the table and stared at it before reaching out a tentative hand to touch it. The squares were alternating shades of hardwood with a drawer on one side. It held beautiful chess pieces larger than the ones he was used to handling.

The teenager examined a piece in loving detail. Sharon wasn't sure what was going on in Rusty's mind. She held her breath waiting for him to speak. Finally, he looked at her as he clutched the white queen in his hand and whispered. "For me?"

She nodded and he continued, "Why?"

"When I thought you might be moving away I wanted you to have something you could have in a home that was permanent, something to bring with you, something that belonged to you."

"I see."

"Now, you're staying with me and I want this to feel like home for you too. This way you can set up and study games while carrying around your other set. You can play two games at once." She could see emotions working on his face.

It was his turn to nod. "Should I keep it in my room?"

"If you want. There's also space out here on the coffee table or one of the shelves under the TV. However, it can stay out if you want."

Rusty looked up with shining eyes. "Thank you. It's the nicest thing I've ever had. I'll take care of it, of all the stuff you've bought me."

"I know that." Sharon heard the catch in her voice. "Just enjoy it, have a good time." In her head she added, "Be a normal teenage boy, please."

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