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Chapter 19

Changes

Christmas vacation came and went in the blink of an eye. Alex had been delighted with her gifts, but held out some hope that she would receive a card from Bobby. Her heart was heavy as she sat at her desk, the night of her last day of vacation. Pulling open the drawer, she pulled her box of special paper out. She bit her lip. I can't believe he had forgotten me. A lonely tear ran down her cheek. Opening the box, she reached for his photo that was stuck in the edge of the small mirror on her desk. She gently placed it in the box, slowly closing the lid.

"Alex, is everything alright?"

She lightly sniffled as she turned towards the door. Her mother was leaning against the door jam, quietly watching her daughter. "Yes, everything is...." She stopped, shaking her head. "No, not fine."

Mrs. Eames went to the bed, stretching out across it, propping herself up with her elbows. "Want to talk about it?"

Alex turned her chair, facing her mother. "How did you know?"

Mary laughed. "You've been awfully quiet these last few days. This is still one of your favorite holidays, isn't it?"

Moving to her bed, she stretched out next to her mother, dangling her legs above her. "Yes, well, maybe not as much this year. I was hoping for at least a card from Bobby."

Mrs. Eames bit her lip in thought. "He could be a very busy fellow. There's no telling where this case may have taken him."

Alex sighed. "I know. It's just that... I would have loved..." She stopped, realizing that all the wishing in the world, wouldn't make it happen.

Her mother tilted her head in thought. "Rather than hiding his photo in a box, why not put it in the wallet your brothers gave you for Christmas?"

"What good would that do?"

Mary lightly nudged her daughter with one of her shoulders. "You never know, you might bump into him someday."

"Oh Mom!"

Standing, Mrs. Eames grinned. "Can I help it if I am an insatiable romantic?"

With that, she left the room. Alex rolled over on her back, staring at the ceiling. Sighing, she pushed herself off the bed. Pulling the wallet from her back pocket, she opened it. Opening the box, she lifted the photo back out, carefully slipping it under the protective clear cover.

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Within a few weeks of reporting for duty at Monmouth, Bobby was delving into the study of forensics. His days began early and went to the early morning hours. Sitting at his mother's kitchen table, he sipped a strong cup of coffee, focused on some papers in front of him. Frances appeared in the doorway. Her agitation grew as she went unnoticed. "You're working too hard."

Bobby slightly jumped from her sharp voice. Raising his tired eyes, he studied her. "Sorry, I didn't know you were awake."

"Would it matter?" Her voice was resigned.

Goren sighed, running his fingers through his unruly locks. "Mom, I'm taking some courses as well as work. So, so it's keeping me busy." He quietly put the papers in a neat pile and folded his hands on top of them. "I've been thinking....." He hesitated, not knowing how it would be received.

Frances took a seat across from him, folding her arms in front of her. "Any time 'you've been thinking' means I'm not going to like it."

A tired chuckle escaped his mouth. He ran his hand across two days growth of whiskers. "I've been thinking, of, of moving on the base." His voice became rushed. "Like you said, I'm working hard, being on base would allow me the freedom to take breaks when I can, without the travel...."

Seeing her bottom lip jut out, he stopped. "And without me." Her voice was quiet as she finished his sentence. Rubbing her hands over her face, she peered up at him earnestly. "I have been taking my meds, Bobby. Since your return."

"It's not you...it's how busy my life has been these past few weeks. And how busy it is going to get in the near future." He stopped, not quite sure how she was processing what he was saying. Or if she was hearing his sincerity.

Frances slowly rose from her chair. Moving around the table, she patted him on his shoulders. "Do what you need to do." Without any more words between them, she left the room, leaving Bobby to deal with the growing guilt in his gut.

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Kristine Peevy raised her voice above the students. "Everyone! Everyone, please take a seat!" She turned back to the board finishing the list of assignments. The noise subsided, somewhat, as she turned to face them again.

Alex watched her intently, chewing on the eraser of her pencil. Catching Kristine's disapproval, she laid the pencil down on her desk. Ms. Peevy smiled. What ever was bothering Alex on her return from Christmas vacation, she seemed to have worked her way through it.

Kristine took a deep breath, hoping that it would be a surprise for all...especially Alex. Seeing her face beam, perked Alex's interest. What is she up to? She cocked her head somewhat suspiciously, wondering what 'bomb' they were going to have dropped on them. Alex shuddered. It can only mean a book report. Probably no less than five pages.

Ms. Peevy's gaze went to the back of the room, towards the door. Seeing a figure standing behind the small narrow window, her smile widen. She clapped her hands. "Everyone! I need your attention."

Alex gulped. A ten page book report!

TBC

A/N: LOL The evilness is alive and well inside of me tonight! Thought I would stop here. It was either that, or an extra, extra long chapter.