THE LEGACY – CHAPTER 19
The Camdens stayed in Chicago for another four days. Ruthie was released on the third day, but they wanted to make sure she was settling in OK. For the time being she was going to stay with Marissa and Teressa, at least until her arm was a bit more functional. Being Camdens, Eric and Annie weren't able to enjoy the Hobson's hospitality without doing something to help out. Annie had helped out in the kitchen, and had learned a couple of new recipes from George and Tony in the process. Not being much use in the kitchen, Eric had helped out behind the bar. He couldn't mix drinks for beans, but he could pull beers and was great with advice. Gary didn't say anything or try to discourage them in any way because he realized that they had to do this in order to feel balanced. Just like RC, they had difficulty accepting help outright, and so they had to make compensation for the help that they had received.
Lucy had used the time to get to know Lily and to renew her friendship with Simon. With her marriage and his drifting, they had grown apart over the last few years, but with their time together, they had grown closer to each other. Lucy found herself liking Simon's fiancé almost as much as she liked Cecelia, and that was saying something. Lucy found the younger woman to be opinionated without being harsh about her beliefs. They had gotten into some rather deep discussions and Lucy found her to always be respectful of a view different from hers. Idly Lucy wondered if that was a good or bad trait for a lawyer to have.
Kevin had spent some time at the station with Toni. Curiosity had finally won out and the young officer had watched the tapes of the robbery. Afterwards he thanked God that he worked in Glen Oak, where the kind of thing that he had seen was much less common. He was so shaken that he barely spoke for the next twenty four hours, and he even woke Lucy up when he had a nightmare about the incident. At first he felt ashamed for his reaction, but Brigatti took him to one side and told him about the shakes that she got after something like this. Making the young officer see that everyone involved, not to mention every person that had ever put on the uniform, hated situations like the robbery, but that doing nothing was a worse option. This meant that sometimes they risked their lives, and risked their sound sleep, so that no-one else would have to face the horrors that they did. It made Kevin feel better about his reaction, but that didn't change the fact that he really didn't want to work in a big department, like Chicago.
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Ruthie waved to her parents and sister and brother in law as they made their way down the ramp. She was glad that they had come, but now she was glad that they were leaving. She loved her family, but she had found that they were much easier to love from a distance; especially when the other three had cornered her individually and urged her to leave Chicago and come 'home'. It wasn't easy for her to reiterate that Chicago was her home. It wasn't easy to watch three different faces fall at three different times. She had fervently wished that they had all confronted her at once so she could have gotten it all out quickly instead of dragging it out the way it had been.
Toni Brigatti looked down at her young friend; the girl had more guts than most of the officers she knew, and a heart as big as anything, and a pretty sharp noggin to go with it. Once she was out of the hospital, Teressa, RC and Crumb had ginned up some tools that were mostly dowel rods and duct tape, but they allowed RC to do nearly anything she wanted with her left, despite the fact that she was only able to move her wrist and hand. "Come on RC" Toni said "you need your rest and Marissa will skin me alive if something happens to you."
As they're walking away, Ruthie looks at her older companion "do they ever let you grow up?"
Toni got a rather cold smile on her face "not willingly, no they don't. You could be 65 and they'd be 90, and you're still their baby, and they're treating you like a baby. You should have seen how my Ma reacted when I went back to Ponitac over New Years; I felt like I was fifteen again, and that's no fun."
"Why is that?"
"Because admitting that you're not a baby means admitting that they're getting old; that's pretty darned uncomfortable."
"The thing is, I half expect it from my parents, but when Lucy tries the same crap, I just wanna kick her in the shins and remind her that she's not that much older than me."
"That's just 'protective big sister' coming out in her. Better that than having her not care, I can tell you that."
"Am I gonna be like that when I have kids."
"No idea RC, wait till ya have kids and we'll find out together."
"What about you and Gary, any little Hobson's in your future?"
"Never gonna happen sorry to say."
"Why not, you're young enough."
"It's not a matter of age kid; it's a matter of plumbing."
"Not understanding here."
"Back when I was in the Marshal's, I took a bullet in the lower abdomen, way lower. Anyway, it screwed up my plumbing enough to where kids were no longer a possibility." Despite her matter of fact tone, it bothered Toni more than she could ever say that she couldn't give Gary Hobson a child. She knew how important kids were to him. It had been one of the toughest things she'd ever done, telling him about that. Standing there in his loft one night, so sure that he was gonna throw her out now that he knew she was damaged goods. He had just looked at her speechless for about half a minute and then just said "I love you Toni, just the way you are" and held her close and that was the end of it. If she had ever doubted that she loved Gary Hobson, that had put the end to it, how could she not love a man like that.
"So have you two thought about adoption?"
"We've kicked it around a bit, but with our schedules the way they are, there's no way we could provide a stable enough home for a baby or even a toddler. Gary and I do that volunteer work down at the community center, and then there's Teressa and you and all of the staff at McGinty's; you guys are our family."
"Well as your surrogate daughter, I think you're a fantastic parent, and if you ever do decide to adopt, that kid will be the luckiest person alive."
"Thanks RC" Toni said "that really does mean a lot."
"Your welcome, and thanks for trusting me enough to tell me, I know it wasn't easy."
Together the two women headed out to the parking lot and back to McGinty's.
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"Mike you're just a sadist, and all this is just an excuse."
Mike Wagahoff had to laugh at that, it wasn't the first time the Physical Therapist had heard that accusation, and he doubted it would be his last. "Maybe darlin' but you need to get that wing flappin again" he said in a pure Louisiana drawl.
Ruthie just looked at the man; he reminded her a lot of Brent the bartender, except for the accent obviously. This was her third visit to work her arm back into shape. After three weeks of almost complete immobility, the muscles weren't that happy about having to work again. She shook her head to try and get some of the sweat out of her eyes and went back to doing the thirty arm curls that she had to do. 'Dang but this hurts' she thought to herself, although from what Doctor Steve had said, she knew it could have been a lot worse. Her life was slowly returning to normal. She had been in her studio a lot, catching up on time when she had wanted to paint but couldn't. She was in the process of modifying her 'Beach at Sunset' painting so it would be a gift for Simon and Lily for their wedding; among her other projects. She had missed a week of class, but her professors, to a person, had thanked her for what she had done. And after her time in this torture chamber, she was meeting one of the Sun-Times reporters that needed a sketch. She just hoped that the Latina wasn't there. Ruthie was dumbfounded by the fact that the girl had never said 'thank you' or expressed her gratitude in any way. Gary had told her that it was an unfortunately common occurrence, and that the girl was probably dealing with the notion that someone had almost given their life for hers. Ruthie didn't know what to think, except that whenever she thought about the whole situation, she got mad; so she tried not to think on it too often.
She hadn't gone out to help with a save, not since the shooting, but she had learned how to do phone saves, and actually showed quite a talent for it. She didn't care for it much, having to lie to people, but it beat having something bad happen to them. Going out on a save was actually something that she looked forward too, being out there and helping Gary again; she had to admit to herself that she loved it.
"That's all then" Ruthie said after finishing her curls.
"Great" Mike said "now do twenty lateral raises and then hit the showers"
Ruthie glared daggers at the therapist, and Mike just laughed.
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Meredith Carson looked out of her office at the Investigative bull pen "Aguilera, my office" she shouted.
Reluctantly the Latina got up from her desk and headed for her editor's office. Truth be told she had expected this to happen a week ago, but apparently Meredith was more patient that Janet expected.
The young girl slunk into the office and sat quickly, closing the door in the process. She didn't say anything; she just sat there looking at Meredith like a dog that expects to be whipped.
"Do you know why you're here" Meredith asked.
"Yeah, I do" Janet answered with a sigh.
"I was hoping that getting you going on a good story would kind of jump start your motor, but that doesn't seem to be happening, so you might want to talk to someone."
"A shrink, you mean?"
"Yeah, I do. Listen kiddo, I really like you, but you haven't been able to write for beans since the whole shooting thing. Did you ever manage to thank the girl that jumped in front of you?"
Janet's face fell, and she lowered her head; to look at her that instant was to gaze at the living embodiment of shame.
"Why the hell not" Meredith wanted to know "it's not that hard, just two words 'thank you', you owe her at least that."
"I know, I just can't bring myself to say it, I don't know why; but I just can't."
"Then I suggest you talk to someone, and soon."
"Why, what difference does it make to you whether or not I thank that brat?"
"It makes a difference because I don't want to fire an up and coming reporter because her neck is so stiff with pride that she can't get her head out of her ass" Meredith shot back, letting real anger creep into her voice. "It's clear that what happened is eating you up inside, you need to close this out and move on; otherwise you're no good to anyone here."
"OK jefe, I'll call the company quack and make an appointment."
"Don't bother, I call earlier, you have an appointment tomorrow at 3:30."
Janet gave her boss a sharp look "would I be cleaning out my desk if I said no" she asked.
"That would definitely be a possibility" Meredith answered honestly. "I wouldn't like it, but it would surely be a possibility; now I'm expecting something brilliant from you about road construction contracts, three days from now; don't disappoint me."
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Ruthie was having fun, the guy from the Sun-Times was doing an article on Teressa and Ruthie had been asked to supply a sketch of her friend. What was fun about the whole thing was watching her shy friend just gushing all over the reporter in a very un-Teressa like manner. Ruthie considered and then dismissed the idea that her friend was drunk, then realized what the probable answer was, Teressa had found somebody. As she sketched, Ruthie remembered how she had acted like that when she was dating Vincent, and Peter, at least before sophomore year. She sat and sketched and laughed at her friend's animation. Finally the reporter was done, and he turned back to Ruthie to find that the sketch was done. He was a new reporter, so he hadn't worked with the young artist before; and what he saw just floored him. He looked at it for a good half minute before he took it from the girl's hands. "You know, I wouldn't be surprised if you eventually win one of these Guggenheim things" he said.
"I already did" Ruthie replied "three years ago. I haven't let them submit anything of mine since."
"Why not" the reporter asked.
"Because I couldn't stand competing with my friends, I've already one once, let someone else have it." Ruthie sat back and finished her Oberon Ale, as the reporter looked at her with some incredulity. He said goodbye to Teressa and Ruthie, then left McGinty's to go back to the paper.
"So how did it feel, working again I mean?"
"It felt great" Ruthie answered "and it was funny watching you gush all over the guy."
Teressa blushed a bit, knowing where this was going.
"So who is she?"
"Who is who" Teressa asked innocently.
"The girl that's got you so giddy" Ruthie answered. "As your official best friend, I have to approve of all your significant others." She almost managed to get this out with a straight face.
"It's Grace" Teressa finally answered "Grace Pak".
"Warren's daughter, you know he's gonna freak when he finds out, not to mention the fact that if you hurt her, he could kick you through a wall. And isn't she fourteen or something."
"No, she's nineteen, and he already knows, you're right about what he'll do if I hurt her, but that would be nothing compared to what she would do to me."
"So how did this happen; come on Walters, I need my vicarious romantic thrills" Ruthie said.
"About two weeks ago, when you were still pretty immobile, I went down to the dojo, but I couldn't keep my mind on things and was doing pretty poorly, and surprisingly Grace wasn't doing any better in the advanced group. Anyway, she looked so sad that I asked her if she wanted to get some coffee after the showers, and we went to this little place near the dojo. So I started talking about you being shot, and how I was worried and she starts talking about how she had just been dumped by her boyfriend, one of those out of the blue situations, and before I knew it I was leaning across the table kissing her. It was just one kiss but it was incredible, at least for me. Well we were both feeling pretty weird, so we went out separate ways, but after training the next day, she walked up to me and asked if I wanted to go to a movie with her. I said yes and the rest is history." By the time she had finished with the story, Teressa was lit up like a Christmas tree.
"That is so great" Ruthie said "just promise me one thing, OK."
"Sure, what is it?"
"Promise you won't be afraid of what people think and say."
"So not a problem Camden; I already learned that from you. Hey, I did have one favor to ask."
"Sure Walters, what you need?"
"Could you come with me to New York for the award dinner and everything?"
"You sure, wouldn't you wanna ask Marissa or Grace."
"Nah, it was you that gave me the basic idea, so even if you don't wanna admit it, part of this award is yours, so you should be there. Besides, you've been through this before; you can tell me what to expect."
"I that case, I would love to go to New York with you. After all, it's the kind of sacrifice a best friend is supposed to make."
"You are such a dork, Camden."
"True, but that's just one more thing we have in common there Walters" Ruthie replied with a grin, and the two friends dissolved into laughter.
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Toni Brigatti was sitting at Hobson's table, watching the Red Wings and the Blackhawks on the big screen. She smiled as she watched her husband make his way through the bar, greeting some of the regulars and just seeming to make people happier with his presence. He waved a signal to Robin and sat down across from his wife. "Bust any crooks today dear?"
"Nothing major Hobson, petty crap for the most part; which is fine with me. Homicide is so slow I've got about half the guys looking at cold cases to see if they can come up with something after giving em a fresh look."
"Sounds like a good idea."
"Thanks, anything new around here?"
"Well Teressa is going to New York for this award thing, and she's taking RC with her."
"RC, why not Marissa?"
"Well she asked, but Marissa said no, so RC was the second choice. Oh, and Teressa officially has a girlfriend."
"Really, that's unexpected" Toni said, I wouldn't have thought she hit from that side of the plate."
"Well, considering her male roll model when she was young, it's not that big a leap of imagination."
"True, thank God you and Marissa got her out of there when you did. I sometimes wonder if the paper is worth it, even for all the good you do, then I see Teressa or any of the other's you've helped and any doubt I have goes away. So her with a girlfriend, is Marissa freaked?"
"A little, but then again, Teressa barely dated in High School so I think it just might be the dating part that has her on edge, not who she's dating."
"Well, as long as the girl's happy."
"True; ahh to be young and in love."
"Yeah, and you'd wanna go through all that crap again Hobson?"
"Not for a million dollars Toni. As far as I'm concerned, love can wait till you're old enough to appreciate it." With that said he leaned forward and kissed his wife.