Chapter 24
Outside in the parking lot of the prison, cop cars and ambulances waited around. John and Captain Mark Calaway made their way out as the sun was going down. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Percy Jameson and Jason Ramirez were escorted to separate cop cars, then driven away. Shawn Michaels was laying on a gurney in the back of an ambulance. He was in the middle of a deep conversation with Officer Brodie Lee.
"I can't tell you how sorry I am for what I pulled on you in the yard the other day."
"No apologies necessary."
"Well...I just hope there's no hard feelings between you and I."
Brodie extended his hand towards Shawn. Shawn gladly accepted the handshake.
"Hey, guys," John said approaching. "How's it going?"
"They're keeping Shawn in the hospital overnight for further observation on his injuries," Brodie stated. "Just to be on the safe side."
John nodded and stepped closer. "You gonna be alright?"
"I'll be fine. I can't thank you guys enough for what you did for me."
"Sorry we couldn't do the same for your friends."
It was Shawn's turn to nod. "Don't blame yourself. However, I'm satisfied that my friends made it to Heaven. I feel certain about that."
John smiled. "I don't doubt that either. You helped those men turn their lives around. Remember the other night when I said you were doing a good thing around here?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"I wasn't kidding. I was being honest."
Shawn smiled. "Thank you. Now, if you don't mind me asking. Down in the Hole when I asked you those questions...were you being honest then too?"
"Yes. I will admit, there are things in my life I need to work on."
"That's what God's there for."
"Of course," Mark added. "I lead a men's Bible study group on Wednesday nights at the church back home. You're welcome to attend."
"I might take you up on that offer."
"Great."
The paramedics were ready to take Shawn to the hospital. Brodie shut the doors and gave them a tap to let the paramedic at the wheel know that the ambulance was ready to go. The ambulance and the cop cars began pulling away one-by-one. Brodie, John and Captain Calaway began to say their farewells to each other.
"John, it was such a pleasure working with you again."
"Brodie, it was like old times. However, I don't remember your punches being that hard."
"I was taking it easy on you."
"You call that taking it easy on me?" John pointed to his own face. "You call this taking it easy on me?"
"I had to make it convincing."
"Yep. Just like old times. I'd laugh but it hurts too much."
Brodie chuckled. "Just for the record, you have some mean right hooks yourself."
John chuckled then. "I always enjoyed working with you."
"Same here. Always."
Brodie and John shook hands.
"If you ever come to Dayton, look me up. We'll go out for a drink sometime."
"Thanks. Same offer for you if you ever stop in Cincinnati."
"Much appreciated."
"So what will you do now?"
"Take a vacation. Spend time with my wife and kids. I may be a cop but I'm a family man first. My family means the world to me. I make it my mission to spend as much time with my wife and my sons cause...well, you never know when your last breath will come."
"You're exactly right, Brodie," Mark commented. "Live everyday like it's your last."
"True," John said.
The three men shared brotherly hugs and handshakes before Brodie walked away.
"Good man," John commented.
"Great cop," Mark added. "And speaking of sons..."
Mark reached into his back jeans pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He passed the paper to John. John took the paper and unfolded it. His eyes fell on the drawing of two stick figures, one of him in a police man uniform and hat, the other was of his son. Above the figures written in bold blue lettering spelled out My Father, My Hero. John chuckled softly as a tear fell from his eye.
"Maxwell..." he whispered sniffling.
"I made a promise to that little boy that I would give you that drawing when I saw you. I also promised that little boy that I would not return home without his father. Those promises I intended to keep."
John looked up at Mark, a sad smile on his face. "Thank you."
Captain Calaway sighed. "Plus, you know this was my last case. And I wanted to retire on a high note."
"Which you did. It was a pleasure working with you, Captain Calaway."
John extended his hand towards Mark, which he gladly accepted.
"And it was an absolute pleasure working with you...Captain Shaw."
This chapter was in honor and memory of Jon Huber a.k.a. Luke Harper a.k.a. Brodie Lee. You are missed. Jon Huber Dec. 16, 1979-Dec. 26, 2020