"Oh geez, this can't be good," Andy heard and looked up from his desk. Lewis, the guy who sat across from him was looking toward their captain's office. Andy looked that way and frowned, now unable to see anything; the captain had shut his blinds.
"What's up?" Andy asked.
"FID is here; Raydor is a nightmare in that office," Lewis huffed. Andy tilted his head slightly toward Provenza, who had a desk away from everyone, his own private space, but within sight of Andy's desk. The two had discussed Andy's rooming situation, and both Andy and Provenza were in agreement that it NOT come up he was renting a room from Raydor, or Sharon, rather, as he was calling her at home. Sharon agreed with it as well, citing that there was no reason to mention things away from the LAPD. He was simply renting a room; it was a temporary situation until he got his life together and enough money for his own place. He was hopeful that day was coming soon. He still had payments to make, but life was looking up now too.
"Don't look at me," Andy gave Lewis a nod. "I haven't done anything, and I can promise you that I haven't had a drink. Not touching the stuff, and I mean it this time."
Lewis frowned and glanced around the office, "Fess up, guys. Who is it?"
"Maybe she's just dropping in to say hello," Provenza said in a sarcastic tone. "She's always so friendly; Flynn and I just love hanging out with her."
Andy gave a slight chuckle, noting Provenza was possibly laying it on too thick, his pretend disdain for Sharon. Actually, Andy and Provenza had spoken about his living situation, and for once, both men were in agreement on something; Sharon had done a nice thing. Maybe she wasn't as bad as everyone thought, maybe. Now, that didn't mean that she was tough on everyone at work. It didn't mean that she held people accountable for their actions because she certainly did, but maybe, just maybe, she wasn't vindictive as many assumed.
"Good one, Provenza," Lewis laughed, "so friendly. Yeah, good one," he continued to laugh and shake his head.
Andy just eyed Provenza and glanced toward the office. The blinds were still closed. It appeared like it would be business as usual, which was fine with him. It had been going well at the house. He didn't mind the kids and had been serious when he said that the noise was pleasant. It was Monday, and just over the weekend, Saturday evening, the two had sat down with the bills. He'd offered to split the monthly bills right now. It was doable with what she was showing him, and he could do that. His money situation was getting a little better, thanks to a new job he was starting after work tonight. He was going to be working as a security guard for one of the corporate buildings downtown. His captain had known a guy who knew a guy kind of thing. Andy knew Provenza had mentioned Andy's issues to the captain; it wasn't a secret, but the captain had turned around and basically called in a favor. It wasn't exactly a favor; Andy was a detective and could certainly handle nightly security, but it was a job that he'd basically been handed. They needed someone from 6:00 PM-2:00 AM. The security team ran in three shifts, and he was taking the evening shift, with another team running 2:00 AM-10:00 AM and then 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. It was a small team, but a team. He'd only be working two days a week right now, just what they needed to backfill with some scheduling conflicts, but it was something. He'd sat down with the head of security to work around his schedule and coordinate with their schedule, and surprisingly, it was working out okay for hours. This week, he was covering Monday and Tuesday night. It would be tiring, but that was nothing new for him. Then, he was off until the next week, where he had four nights in a row to cover the end of one week and beginning of another. It was a job, something to bring in some extra cash, and if he was careful with his money, he just might be able to scrape enough together in another month to buy a car, nothing at all fancy, probably a hunk of junk, but it would be something with wheels. For tonight, this job, he was going to catch a ride home with one of his co-workers, a retired cop, someone he was introduced to when he explained his car situation. He hated explaining it, but things were what they were right now.
Andy's head snapped when he saw Lewis snapping his fingers in front of him. He shook his head, "Sorry, I was thinking about something."
"New job tonight? You haven't even started, and you're already dozing on this job," Lewis chuckled. Andy liked him fine; Lewis was a good guy. The two didn't hang out, but for a cop, he did a good job. Andy rolled his eyes.
"Nah, not sleeping, just thinking about my evening. I just realized as I'm sitting here, I didn't pack a sandwich for tonight," he frowned.
"Flynn, my treat tonight," Provenza said, standing up at his desk. He pointed to Lewis and then to Andy, "Neither of you heard me say that; I'll deny it. Flynn let's go. It's time for an early lunch, and just because I need you to make enough money to buy your own car, I'm going to pay for your lunch and your dinner tonight. Now, we're going out to get a sandwich; I'm feeling like a sub. Whatever you get, double the order, and that, my friend, is also your dinner." Provenza bowed and then smirked at Andy, "You're welcome for being the best friend a guy could have."
Lewis started to laugh, and Andy shook his head as he stood, "I told you I am tired of riding around with a guy who drives slower than a retirement home convoy on their way for ice cream," Andy smirked. He grabbed for his wallet, making sure his holster was in place on his belt and looked to Lewis, "Want anything for lunch?"
"Nope," he shook his head. "The wife made meatloaf. I'm good with that. Plus, I want to see what Raydor wants here in the office. If she's after either of you, I'll try to give you a warning."
"Provenza and I have been model detectives lately," Andy smirked. "It's been over a month-no issues. I'm not worried," he said, tapping his knuckles on the desk. "Let's go, Provenza."
Andy looked to Provenza, and the two stepped out of the office. After they had started down the stairs, which Provenza hated, but the elevator had been out of service all morning, Provenza spoke, "Didn't think we needed to test the waters with your landlord."
"Yeah, thanks," Andy nodded as he led the two down the stairs. "It's been fine at the house, a little awkward at times, but she's not that bad."
"So you've said," Provenza told him. The two continued down the stairs until they were outside, and then, the men started walking next to each other.
"Really hopeful this job works out," Andy told him.
"You're not working for my wedding, right?" Provenza asked, looking to him. "You're the best man; you have to be there. You have to give a toast!"
"I'll be there," he grumbled. "I was the best man and gave a toast at your last wedding, remember?"
"Just don't give the same toast. That's bad luck," Provenza told him.
Andy looked to him like he was crazy, "You're using your same wedding ring from your first two weddings, and you think I'd be back luck?"
"I'm being practical, Flynn! Words have meaning!" Provenza exclaimed.
"Rings have meaning! Wait," Andy gestured with his finger, "Let me just give you my old ring. I certainly don't need it. I mean, it's like the bride-something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. I'll give you my old ring."
"Why would I take your ring when I have a perfectly good one, hmm?" Provenza looked over at him. "You should pawn that thing. Speaking of, I do need to get a wedding band for Sharon. You could pawn your ring, and I could buy one for Sharon."
"You have to be joking?" Andy asked him, glancing his way.
"That's what we will do tomorrow, Flynn," Provenza nodded. "Bring your ring. You don't want to pawn it? I'm not letting you get back together with Sandra."
"This isn't about getting back together with Sandra. Actually," he nodded, "pawning my ring isn't a bad idea. I could use the money, as little as it is. You buying a ring there is a joke. Fork out the cash; she's going to be your wife."
"She won't care," Provenza told him.
"What are the odds?" Andy asked, letting the question hang.
"What? Are you asking the odds Sharon will care?" Provenza asked.
"No, I mean, I was thinking about the odds of both of us living in a house with a Sharon. It's kinda funny, if you think about it," he chuckled. "You're marrying one, and I've got one as a landlord."
"Ugh," Provenza grunted. "Let's not talk about the Sharons, shall we? Since you mentioned your landlord, though," he turned and rolled his eyes at Andy, "what fix-it projects did she have you do over the weekend?"
"She's not some slave driver, Provenza, and if you recall, my helping out was part of the deal. I trimmed all the bushes and trees. Place was a mess, really overgrown. I will tell you what-she works hard and has a lot on her plate with that jerk of an ex. Guys like him, I mean, I know I'm no piece of cake, and Sandra has choice words for me, but I didn't cheat on and abandon a pregnant wife."
"He did that?" Provenza asked, looking to him horrified. "You're going to make me actually feel sorry for her."
"She's a strong lady, that's for sure," Andy explained. "Of course, things have slid around her place. She has two kids, one not even one, and she works this crazy job. Her house just needs a lot of TLC. She couldn't believe the transition in the yard."
As the men walked, Andy thought back to that, Saturday. Sharon had been out of the house most of the afternoon, running a long list of errands with the kids. He'd enjoyed the peace and quiet while he worked in the yard and didn't even realize she'd returned to the house until he saw the door by the patio open.
"Wow, I can't believe the change! You were right about the bushes. I have just been so preoccupied that I hadn't noticed. Is this even the same house?" Sharon stepped outside, and Andy paused there where he'd been working. He'd started in the front and had long finished that and was working on some overgrown bushes and brush on the back of the house and also at the back corner of the lot by the fence.
"Hey," he said with a quick nod as he put down his tools and wiped his face with his arm. "Yeah, it's really coming along."
"I saw the pile by the street. I can't believe you cut that much, but it looks so much better. Thank you," she said with a warm smile, one he hadn't seen on her face much. She looked genuinely happy.
"Sure, it's been a good afternoon," he told her. "I'm going to put down that grass seed you picked up after I finish this."
"Can I get you something to drink-water or lemonade?" Sharon asked. "I have to get back in the house," she gestured right behind her where she'd left the door open. Ricky fell asleep in the car, and somehow I managed to transfer him to his crib," she grinned. "Emily is already playing with her dolls."
"Lemonade would be great if it's not too much trouble," Andy told her. "Get all your errands run?"
"I did," she nodded. "Emily is wanting to start ballet. She's seen it on a few cartoons, bunny ballerinas and all. We have a book on it too, one of her picture books. I was looking at different ballet studios today, mostly to see if any are affordable."
"Any luck?" Andy asked.
"Yes," she said, a small smile on her face as she looked to the ground briefly. "One is affordable, none of those long-term contracts. We'll try it out, and if she likes it, great. If not, we'll know and not continue."
"My daughter tried ballet, hated it," Andy chuckled and then frowned. "That's been so long ago now. She's apparently into volleyball now or wants to be. She's watched people play it on the beach. Honestly, I don't know that much; I'm not around her as you know."
Sharon just nodded, and the two were quiet as the moment passed. After a few seconds, Sharon gestured to the house, "Ahh, I'm going to put away my groceries and make some dinner. I'd offer you hotdogs and macaroni, but I'm guessing you aren't interested?"
Andy chuckled and waved his hand, "Just the lemonade, thanks. I'm going to hit a meeting tonight."
Sharon gave a single nod, "Glad it's going well, all of it," she gestured to the yard. "I'll get you that lemonade."
"I'll get back to work," Andy nodded.
"Flynn, you spaced out on me," Provenza smacked at Andy's arm. "I asked you if you have to do more yard work this weekend?"
"No, I'm free," Andy said looking to him. "Actually, I was going to see if you wanted to come over and grill out? I wanted to double check with Sharon, see if she'd mind my having you over. We discussed no dates at the house," he smirked. "I think I can convince her you're just a friend."
Provenza looked to him, ready to smack him again, and he just shook his head, "Cookout at Raydor's place?"
"Yeah," Andy shrugged. "It's not like you'll be hanging with her. We juggle the kitchen schedule, and she's gone a lot on weekends running errands. Payday is Friday, and for once, I'd like to thank you for all you have done. I know you love steak. I'll figure out a time this weekend, and you and I can hang out."
"If I'm coming over, Flynn, it's to eat and not do yard work," Provenza told him.
"I wasn't thinking of having you do yard work, you idiot," Andy grumbled.
"No yard work," Provenza repeated. "Just remember that-oh, and remember, we're going to the pawn shop tomorrow, so don't forget that ring after you work your second job tonight."
"Seriously, Provenza, why do I still hang out with you?" Andy grumbled.
"Flynn, you still need me as a taxi service-that's why," Provenza said in a matter of fact tone. Now, pick out your sandwich for lunch and dinner and remember what a nice guy I am when you write your new best man speech."