"What's up with the balloons?" Provenza asked when Andy opened the door. "Please, oh please, don't tell me this is some sort of surprise pre-wedding party, Flynn. I swear if it is, I'm out of here." Andy rolled his eyes as he stood in the doorstep and looked at his best friend. Provenza stood there in a Dodger t-shirt and sweatpants, ironically, looking almost identical to Andy who had on a Dodger t-shirt and LAPD sweatpants. Aside from the difference in the sweatpants, Provenza also had a six-pack of beer in his hand. Andy stood to the side and gestured for Provenza to enter the house.
"Welcome," Andy smirked as Provenza stepped inside and looked around. "You should be so lucky I'd one-throw you a party, and two-have any decorations, let alone a few balloons. No, they aren't mine, pink balloons," he sighed and rolled his eyes at Provenza. "Sharon's daughter, it's her birthday," Andy informed him. "Emily," he cleared his throat. "She's four."
Provenza's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open, "You idiot! Did you invite me here for some birthday party? I'm not doing that!"
"Would you can it?" Andy said rather loudly. "Just calm down, okay? You aren't here for a birthday party. It's 7:00 at night. Just when do you think a four-year-old would have a party? Besides," he waved, "Sharon didn't have some big party. She just decorated the house with balloons and all. She made a big deal for the kid," he smiled. "Simple day, pink balloons and My Little Pony decorations. The kid is into horses."
Provenza grunted, but he rolled his eyes and nodded, glancing at Andy. He looked around the small and worn living room. There was a couch and a recliner with an old coffee table. The coffee table had a basket on top of it full of crayons, coloring books, and construction paper. The corner of the room had a small wooden table, an area for kids to play. There was a small play kitchen next to that with a chest of toys. Several toys were scattered on the floor. As Provenza looked toward the kitchen, he saw a dining room table with a high chair at the end. The kitchen counter was mostly clean with a stack of what looked like bills in one corner and what looked like a cake wrapped up. He looked back to Andy and nodded, "I guess this is Raydor's place, kids and all."
"Quite the detective," Andy smirked. He gestured with his hand, "Kitchen is this way." Andy walked toward it, and Provenza followed, still taking in the surroundings. He'd helped Andy move in a few weeks ago, but during that time, he hadn't really looked at anything. They'd also spent most of their time going in and out of the back door next to Andy's room. Provenza had purposely avoided the rest of the house, feeling like he was invading a private space. Tonight, he realized his friend now lived here. The house had an old fireplace. The couch faced it, but it didn't look like it was used or possibly even still worked. Many of the older houses had fireplaces, which Provenza thought was strange. He didn't think the weather really called for a fireplace, but that was his personal opinion. Next to the fireplace was a small television and a stack of kids' movies. The house was old, but it was mostly tidy; it was small, but it felt homey.
Provenza put the beer on the counter and looked to Andy, "We aren't eating with them, are we?"
"No," Andy said, turning around in the kitchen to look at Provenza. "We share the kitchen. Sharon already did dinner with the kids, the whole birthday thing was earlier even," he waved. "Dinner now is just us."
"What's for dinner?" Provenza raised an eyebrow.
"Get excited," Andy winked at him and walked to the refrigerator. "I've been marinating steaks for us, and I even bought a new grill."
"Flynn, you bought a grill?" Provenza asked.
"Just calm down," Andy explained as he pulled out the steaks. "It's just a small, basic charcoal grill, nothing too exciting and nothing expensive. There's a small hardware store, one of those old school places, about a half mile from here. Sharon was running errands earlier today, and I asked her if I could catch a ride. Charcoal grill, all ready to go. The grill Sharon had was rusted out, and she had said she hadn't bought a new one yet. This way, I'm doing something to contribute here too. I told her she's welcome to use it anytime. For tonight, you, me, and steak," Andy smiled.
"Sounds good, Flynn," Provenza looked to him with a small smile. "Looks like this situation is working out, not too bad. Still getting along with Radyor? By the way, where is she?"
"Bath," he said, and Provenza's eyes widened. Andy realized how it sounded, and he waved his hands, "No, she's giving the kids a bath. It's their bedtime. Why?" he smirked again. "Want to sit down and chat with her?"
"Just grill the steaks," Provenza said through gritted teeth. "I go from being happy for you that you're landing on your feet to being completely irritated by you."
"Now you know how I feel," Andy flashed a fake smile as he nodded to the hallway and back door. "Let's go to the grill. We can sit outside while the steaks cook. I've got baked potatoes in the oven, and I picked up coleslaw. I know you love that."
Provenza just nodded, and the two made their way to the backyard. Andy showed Provenza what he'd done with his room so far on the way. It wasn't much, but Andy was at least feeling settled and like he was making progress. He had the tv on the small table Sharon had let him use. He'd bought a comforter and a new set of sheets after not finding his in his boxes. He'd also bought new towels, convinced a box of linens had gotten lost in all of his moving. Provenza noticed the side table he'd given Andy. It had been placed between the bed and Andy's old recliner and on it, Andy had pictures of his kids. Provenza nodded to Andy.
"Looking better, Flynn. Progress," he encouraged.
"Yeah," Andy sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Just having a stupid comforter and a couple new sets of towels makes me feel like a human again. After I get my next check from the security job, I'm going to buy a lamp for that nightstand."
"You have one in mind?" Provenza looked to him.
"Second-hand store, actually one of those consignment type places or whatever" Andy nodded. "There's one not too far from here. Talked to the owner, an old guy, and I explained I could use a few things. Told him I was a cop, and he's going to keep me in mind if anything decent comes in there. Gave him a list of all the things I'd eventually like to have, like my dream list."
"A car on that?" Provenza said sarcastically.
Andy smirked at him, "You never know, Provenza. Anyway, you know I'm saving for that. I've got a very detailed budget. Part of my security job needs to just buy a few basics, and your luck," he pointed toward the back of the house, "a grill and two steaks were top of the list."
"Let's get cooking," Provenza said, and they made their way outside.
Once their steaks were ready, the two made their way inside. Andy checked on the potatoes, telling Provenza they were almost ready. They started getting their dinner ready when Emily came running around the corner, running into Provenza there in the kitchen.
"Flynn, I believe I've encountered a Radyor," he said with a small frown. That didn't last as he looked down at the little girl, clad in her nightgown with her long wet hair hanging down. "Hi," he said in a very adult, matter of fact voice.
"Emily, do not bother Andy and his friend," the men heard and looked up to see Sharon walking around the corner, chasing after Emily. Her hair was in a loose ponytail, somewhat messy after a long day. She had on soft cotton shorts and a long, loose t-shirt, somewhat wet from the kids' bath. She had Ricky in her arms, clad in his pajamas. The baby was getting big and had started walking around the furniture. He was not walking independently, but it was coming. Andy had noticed a change in his size and ability in the short time he'd been living at the house.
"Andy have you seen my princess sparkle pony?" Emily asked, her lip sticking out almost like she was pouting. "She's so beautiful. She's my new favorite. Who's that?" Emily, with her small finger pointed up at Provenza.
"Emily," Sharon said, giving the men a sympathetic glance and apology, cleared her throat and with her one free hand reached for Emily's hand, "I'm sure Andy hasn't seen your little yellow pony."
"Sorry, Munchkin," he smiled at her. "That one is a beautiful pony. Maybe you took her to your room. I haven't seen her. This is my friend," he nodded to Provenza. "Ahh, his name is Louie."
Provenza nodded at Sharon, and she gave him a small smile, "Lieutenant, nice to see you. Sorry to bother your evening. We will get out of your hair."
Provenza bent down to Emily's level, "I'm Lieutenant Provenza. I heard it's your birthday."
"I'm four," she said, a huge smile on her face as she held up her fingers indicating four. "Mommy got me balloons and had a My Little Pony party today. I had cake!" Emily jumped up and down pointing to the cake on the counter. "Want some?"
"Emily, let's leave Andy and his friend to have their dinner," Sharon said.
"Sharon, it's fine," Andy waved.
Sharon shook her head, "This is your time. They are going to bed, and I know neither of you want kids bothering you," she smiled slightly.
"What your name again?" Emily asked, pointing at Provenza. "That's Mommy. That's Ricky," she said pointing to the baby. "That's Mr. Andy."
"I'm Lieutenant Provenza," he said. "People don't call me by my name."
"Lieutenant Venza," Emily said, trying to say the word and nodding. "Okay. You can have some cake."
Sharon grinned toward the men and shook her head, nodding to the cake, "Feel free to have some, please. She doesn't need to eat all of it, and I certainly don't need any myself," she sighed. "Last thing I need is more sweets in my diet. Anyway, I made the cake, and Lieutenant," she said with a sly grin, "I promise you can eat my food."
"Thanks," Provenza waved at her. He looked back at Emily, "Does it have," he said glancing to the cake, "pink frosting?"
"Mmm hmm," Emily nodded. "Andy ate it." She pointed at Andy, and he gave a slight shrug.
"Okay, Emily," Sharon said, as Ricky squirmed to get down, "say goodnight. Let's go."
Emily waved at them, and she disappeared down the hall with Sharon following. Once they were out of sight, Provenza eyed Andy, "You participated in the birthday party?"
"Well, I mean, not exactly," Andy explained. "It wasn't much of a party, just Sharon and the kids. I was home, and she offered me cake."
"When was this party?" Provenza asked.
"Lunch, after lunch. I was working on her swing set out there," Andy gestured to the yard.
"You are building Raydor's kids a swing set?" Provenza raised his eyebrows and looked to Andy.
"It was already there. I'm replacing the rotten boards. No big deal," he shrugged. "It's nice to do something for the kids. I wish I could see my own. Sharon's parents sent all this junk for the swing set, a new slide, new swings, a toddler swing for Ricky. Basically, it's going to look like new. I'm just helping. Remember, she's letting me pay what I can afford for help around here."
Provenza just nodded and looked around the place, "How long you planning to live here?"
"Long as it takes to save up my deposit and a little cushion in the bank. You know I'm working on getting back on my feet. That second job is going to help a lot. I'm almost done paying off the AA clinic. I'd like to buy a car, so I don't know. Right now, this is working. Sharon isn't that bad," he shrugged.
"Sharon," Provenza said through gritted teeth. "Never imagined I'd see her in causal clothing covered over with kids," he sighed.
"She's a person, Provenza, a kind and decent person. She's helping me just as much as I'm helping her. Maybe the kids will be some sort of healing for me too. I've enjoyed them."
"I'd enjoy my potato if you don't burn it," Provenza gestured to the oven. Andy turned and moved to pull out the potatoes. He finished getting their plates ready and pulled the coleslaw out of the refrigerator.
"Let's eat, okay?" Andy asked. "I want to talk to you about some thoughts I have about my kids, about talking to Sandra about seeing them."
"Fine," Provenza waved, walking to the table. "After that, let's talk about something more enjoyable, my bachelor party because Flynn, we both need a night away from reality and certainly a night from the Sharons."