K is for Keeping It Quiet
Larry and Megan talked about Megan leaving the FBI, and she wanted him to keep it quiet until such time they have talked about it.
Larry walked hesitantly into the FBI office just after 6pm. He met David going out.
"Hi David, you're leaving, aren't you?"
"Hi Larry, yes, after a hard day's work, got to have some fun. You're looking for Megan? She's with Don right now in the break room. Megan seems very troubled these days. You know what's happening?"
"Not really. I'm sure it's nothing. If there's anything, I'm sure she'll let you all know. Well, goodnight then. Have fun." Larry said to David.
"Yea, thanks, and you two have fun too. Night. Hey, you're still driving your jalopy?"
Larry was indignant. He pretended to be offended, "My Jalopy? You called my antique, one of a kind car, a Jalopy. Sir, I'll be offended if you do not apologize at once." Larry tried to stare at David who was grinning away.
"I am sorry, Sir, to call your antiqued ancient four wheeler a Jalopy. Seriously, Larry if you decide you want to part company with your antique, I'll be happy to find a buyer for you. OK goodnight then." David quickly went over to the lift.
Larry stood at the break room door. Megan saw him and put out a hand to him.
After a while both of them came out, "Hi Larry, here's your girlfriend. Have a nice dinner both of you."
"Won't you join us, Don? I'm sure Megan won't mind."
"Yes, Don do join us. We are having Ethiopian."
"You two go ahead. Thanks. I'm going back to Charlie's. Dad tempted me with some red meat roast."
"Don, too much red meat is not good for you. We are having some ostrich meat. It's a very healthy meat. It's cooked in white sauce."
Don made a face, "No, you two go ahead. I'll have my unhealthy red meat."
"Don't say I didn't warn you. Say hi to Alan and Charles for me. Come Megan let's go and have our healthy food."
"Wait, I'll go and get my things."
"Say, Larry, you're still driving your jalopy, eh sorry antique car."
"What is this? Why is everybody calling my beautiful car a jalopy? Do you all know what a jalopy is?"
"Come Larry, Don's joking." Megan quickly pulled Larry away before Don damaged his precious car.
Megan said she would leave her car in the FBI car park, and Larry can bring her to work tomorrow morning. Larry was pleased with the arrangement, and they went to the Ethiopian place in his 1931 antique Ford.
"I love this car. Hope you don't sell it." Megan said as soon as she sat down in the passenger seat.
"No, my aim is to keep this and not sell it. It's in perfect working condition, and I have people asking me if I want to part with it and, mind you, the price they quoted was way beyond my imagination, way beyond that it was tempting at first. Not now, not now maybe later."
"Why not now, since you have a good offer?" Megan asked out of curiosity.
"Well, because I loved it the first moment I set my eyes on this 'jalopy' and then I had it tuned to perfection, and then my girl loved it too. So, I will not be tempted to part with it."
"Oh, Larry Fleinhardt, you're so sweet."
"Oh I wouldn't say that I'm sweet, but I'm partial to a certain sweetness beside me."
Megan's wide smile said it all.
After they ordered their meal, Larry came to the point. "Megan, are you sure you want to do this? The FBI seemed to be your whole life. No, no, don't misunderstand me. I'm all for you quitting. With all the dangerous situations you all get into, I'm quite scared for you, for all of you, but it's a job you and the rest of the team are most familiar and suited to. You have good team members, and I know you look out for each other. I'm at ease."
Larry continued, "Do you think in the long run that you are making the right choice? I am not talking to dissuade you, but I'm rather worried that you are rushing into this decision because of some certain things that happened recently. But again, it's your life, and hopefully, someday, it will be part of mine." Larry raised a hand to stop Megan from speaking. "No, I am not rushing you in this too. But if you have thought about it carefully, and if your decision remained the same, then leave by all means. Do something else that you like, apart from the FBI."
"Thank you Larry. No, I don't think I can stand it much longer. Sometimes, sometimes," Megan hesitated, her eyes speaking volumes. "I feel something is missing. Why am I doing all this when sometimes, people just don't care. We have to fight the bureaucracy to get things moving. Young people are getting all the crap and there's no proper…whatever."
At this, Megan threw her hands in the air. "They get into trouble, and where are their parents? Some of them are as young as twelve years old. OK, they are in correction schools, and when they come out they do the same thing all over again. What's wrong in this picture?" Megan was so passionate about it that Larry nodded and let her continue.
"Larry, thanks for your support in this matter, Yes, I have thought for many days about this decision. Yes, someday, we might be a pair permanently. Meanwhile I would like you to keep quiet about this. Don't tell anyone. Who knows I might still change my mind after this week. Is that alright with you?"
"Yes, my dear sweet. I will keep quiet about this. I won't say a thing. Come let's eat."
She smiled at him, and Larry nodded taking hold of her hands across the table.
Their food came presently, and it was ostrich meat in white sauce. Both agreed that it was delicious.
The End.