The next hour or so, I sat at ma's bar wondering what to say. Why was this bothering me so much? Part of me was in denial that ma would actually invite someone else to dinner.dinners that were always just me and ma, talking about whatever and following dinner with more whatever. Nothing was ever planned for ma and me. I'd show up around 6:30 and wind up not leaving 'til after 9pm. And even Maurice Boscorelli couldn't eat for two and a half hours.

Another part of me wondered what had led ma to invite Lieu over for dinner. Ma and me had these dinners for years now, just the two of us, always Saturday afternoons. She'd never invited anyone else and I had not thought to invite anyone else. But that had changed tonight.

We left ma's bar around 2am. With just two beers a piece, ma was comfortable that Lieu could drive. She had stuffed us with food so that we wouldn't drink on empty stomachs. I have to give ma credit for one thing and that is she careful when she's serving liquor. Most of the cabbies who worked the area knew her in a first-name basis. Ma called them every time a patron came in and had a little too much to drink.

So, there we were, Lieu and me in his car driving back to the 55th so I could pick up my car.

"So you never answered ma about dinner on Saturday." I questioned breaking the deafening silence.

"I told your mother that I needed to check my schedule."

"Yeah so I heard that. Why do I get the feeling its more than that?"

"Your mother is a nice lady, Bosco. I really would like to join you for dinner. But, like I said, I really do need to check my schedule."

"A ha."

"Bosco, listen. We're both adults here so why don't you just say what's on your mind?"

"You and my ma, that's what's on my mind."

"I figured as much. What is it about me and you mother that bothers you so much?"

"I didn't say it bothered me."

"You didn't have to. It's pretty obvious. Am I that bad of a guy?"

I didn't answer Lieu, instead kept my eyes focused on the road in front of us.

"Look I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy. Your mother caught me off guard inviting me to dinner. I would like to have dinner with her and with her son if that's okay with you?"

"So you wanna get to know my ma better? Like how?"

"You know, maybe dinner.a movie.just talking.nothing else. But you and me, we have to work together. If the idea makes you uncomfortable, I can tell Rose that I have to work."

"Dinner on Saturday is fine by me."

"Good then how 'bout we just get through dinner and after that, we'll see what happens."

"Fine but I don't have to wait 'til after dinner. I already know she'll say yes."

"And what makes you say that?"

"I just know her that's all."

"You're pretty protective of your mother."

"Yeah well, I'd have to be. Her track record with men isn't too good. Just for the record Lieu. I don't care if you are my boss, that you're a Lieutenant and all.you hurt my mom and you answer to me."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You do that."

"You know Bosco, it's a good thing you only have a brother. With your method of interrogation, no sister of yours would ever get a date."

"I see you and mom have one thing in common."

"What's that?"

"What you said about me and a sister.ma's told me the same thing.'

"Guess it must be true then."

"Must be."

Saturday was only a few days away and I was feeling a lot better about things. The two days since ma had invited Lieu had given me time to think; time to recall all the past guys who had beaten ma up. I felt good about things with Lieu although you wouldn't get me to admit it. And, I figured, it was just dinner. Even if at a future time, they had dinner and a movie, Lieu had made it a point to say that he was an old-fashioned guy. I was counting on that more than I cared to admit.

During the week, Lieu and I didn't have much time to talk. It wasn't that we were avoiding each other, just that working Anti-Crime put us on opposite schedules. I was working mostly days and he was working his usual shift.

He did, on one occasion catch me on my way out. It was an odd conversation. As much as Sgt Cruz and I had been keeping things under wraps since the explosion that had put us together, Lieu had somehow put the pieces together.

"So whatever happened to ESU?"

At first I didn't reply, simply shrugging my shoulders.

"I just figured given the past year or so, it wasn't going to happen."

"I see," he said nodding. "You know, it isn't common knowledge and you didn't hear this from me. Whatever's going on with you and Sgt Cruz, you'd be smart to put an end to it."

That comment surprised me. Cruz and I had been pretty discreet when it came to our personal lives. No one had said anything and the fact that Lieu did, shocked me. After all, the two of us rarely saw one another. So, who else knew, I wondered but didn't ask.

"I take it this all started after the explosion?" he asked.

"Yeah, somewhere around there," I acknowledged. The explosion had been six, almost seven weeks ago. My life had changed in that time. I rarely talked to my old shift mates, Faith included. The only one I was still talking to was ma. I wondered if she suspected something. She always seemed to know about these things.

"Look, I'm sticking my neck out telling you this. She hasn't always been in Anti-Crime and she hasn't always worked the 55th. And the fact that she's 'been around the block' wasn't always her own choice. That's all I'm gonna say. I trust what I've told you doesn't leave this room?"

"Sure thing Lieu," I commented as he glanced at his watch.

"Gotta get to work," he said, standing and pushing in his chair.

"Hey Lieu," I called out before he reached the door. "Thanks."

Saturday arrived and I had some plans of my own. I had a feeling that Lieu had put his career on the line for me and I owed him for that. So, I attempted to call Faith to ask her a favor. We hadn't talked in almost two weeks now. I knew that Emily was doing okay so I wasn't too concerned. Faith and I had always managed to touch base at some point. I had no reason to believe that things would be any different this time 'round.

Faith wasn't home or just wasn't answering one. I left a message for her to call me on my cell phone. When she didn't call back, I switched to Plan B and called the firehouse.

Alex answered, which surprised me. I asked her the same favor I was going to ask Faith. As expected, given my lack of details, she balked at the idea. So, given no other choice, I made up a story and she reluctantly agreed. The only condition was that she wouldn't be able to follow through if they got a call. I had no Plan C so I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

Six-thirty arrived and so did I. Lieu was already at ma's when I got there. She poured me a drink as usual and then promptly scolded me like a five year old as I made my usual round through the kitchen.

"He does this every week," she explained to Lieu who laughed at my expense.

"How long 'til we eat?" I asked.

"Half hour or so." she answered. "Every week we eat at around seven and every week after, you come in here and ask what time we eat."

"Yeah I know that but someday you're going to surprise me right?"

"Yeah, at my age, I'm full of surprises right?"

"You're not that old ma," I corrected her.

"You're sweet, you know that?" she said kissing my cheek. I felt my cheeks go red as she did this. I don't know why, I just did. But at least she was still just kissing me.

The fact that her phone rang at five minutes to seven didn't surprise me. I had been expecting the call and I'd made a point to be as far from the phone as possible so ma would have to answer it.

"Maurice, it's for you," she called out.

"For me?" I said, taking the phone from her.

"Hello?"

Alex, as promised, was on the other end of the line. She didn't stay on the phone long which was fine by me. I was capable of carrying on a make believe conversation. Her part in this was done when she asked for me. "Yeah, sure no problem," I replied. "Yeah it'll only take me a few. Hang tight, I'll be right there."

Hanging up the phone, I glanced up to see both ma and Lieu watching me.

"I gotta go," I replied, reaching for my jacket while offering no further explanation.

"What is it?" ma inquired.

"Did something happen?" Lieu asked.

"Alex, from Adam 55, she lives up a few blocks. I don't know exactly what's going on.something about a table halfway down the stairs or halfway up the stairs. I knew she wouldn't wait for Ty and me to come by later and help. Gotta go. I won't be long."

Having said that, I left, not giving ma or Lieu a chance to ask any questions. As I made it to my car, I couldn't resist looking up at ma's apartment. I knew it wouldn't take either her or Lieu long to figure out that I'd set them up. But, that was okay. My only regret was my stomach was growling and ma and Lieu were probably sitting down to dinner right about now.

to be continued...