When we were young the future was so bright The old neighborhood was so alive And every kid on the whole damn street Was gonna make it big and not be beat *************************************** "Hi" Kerry gave a small wave

the little girl waved back

"I can't do that.." Kerry said quietly."You know.."

"Tell her" he said through gritted teeth."Make her understand" ****************************************** "Cause I sure as hell don't" Dave said bitterly

Kerry took a deep breath."Hi..my name is Kerry"

The little girl smiled,"Hi"

"Can you tell me your name??"

The little girl looked over at Dave

He nodded

"My name's Riley" she replied

Kerry smiled,"Wanna come down off the desk?" ********************************************** Now the neighborhood's cracked and torn The kids are grown up but their lives are worn How can one little street Swallow so many lives *********************************************** "Would you like something to eat?" Kerry held the little girl's hand in hers

"My daddy fed me" Riley said defensively

Dave sunk into the couch in the lounge, his head in his hands.

"Okay..." she hated Dave for putting her in this position."Umm..wanna sit down Riley?"

The little girl looked over at Dave,then over at Kerry,shaking her head."I wanna go home"

Kerry looked over at Dave,too."You know what Riley..what if we go talk somewhere else?? Your daddy looks tired"

"My daddy looks sad" Riley said quietly ************************************************** Kerry sunk down to her knees to look at the little girl's face. She had his eyes...big eyes filled with mischief. Eyes that wanted to take over the world..and change it.But couldn't.

"I don't know what to say" Kerry said quietly."I don't know what to tell her,Dave"

He stood up and pushed his way out of the lounge.

"He's mad at you" Riley replied *************************************************** Chances thrown Nothing's free Longing for what used to be Still it's hard Hard to see Fragile lives, shattered dreams **************************************************** "she's pretty"

Dave swung around."Thanks.."

"I'm sorry" Deb handed him the cup of coffee she had in her hands.

He shook his head,"Not right now"

She took a deep breath,and looked away.

"I talked to her like my father" Dave looked into the coffee."I was my dad tonight.."

Deb turned to face him

"And I scared the shit out of her" he swallowed hard."I fucked up twice now"

Deb bit her lip,"Should I go get someone.."

"I'm not dangerous" Dave snapped,"Just really stupid" ********************************************* The little girl curled up in the corner of the couch.It's where she seemed to fit best.

"Your daddy.." Kerry sighed.There was no connection yet...that this was Malucci's daughter.His flesh and blood. He didn't seem mature enough, ready.

Riley looked at her curiously

"Your daddy is a good man." she said quietly,"He's a good man, and a good doctor.But he made a mistake"

"Did he say he was sorry?"

Kerry winced,"He did.."

"Then why did you take his money away??" Riley asked, her eyes glazed with confusion

She pursed her lips. She didn't have kids. This was different from explaining to med students why they didn't kill patients..why you paid attention to doses of medication.."because your daddy made me very mad.I thought he was too special to work here anymore"

Riley nodded."He wants to be a fireman" *************************************** Jamie had a chance, well she really did Instead she dropped out and had a couple of kids Mark still lives at home cause he's got no job He just plays guitar and smokes a lot of pot *************************************** Deb sat beside him quietly,listening to him catch his breath

"You.."

She winced,"I took my own beating"

Dave nodded,"But you survived"

"I barely survived" she replied,"It was hard"

He nodded in agreement,"I know"

"It's going to be different without you here" Deb stared intently at her hands,studying her nails

"Thanks" Dave said quietly,"I think"

Deb chuckled lightly,"It's a complement" she reached over and gave him a hug ********************************************* Chances thrown Nothing's free Longing for what used to be Still it's hard Hard to see Fragile lives, shattered dreams