Chapter Twenty
Sunday
Giants Stadium, Meadowlands
"How's Tony doing?"
"He's tired and his muscles ache. He is so….I can't believe….he seems to thrive on the hard work. Man," he shakes his head. "He's doing great." She smiles at his proud stance.
"That's fantastic; you know sometimes I can't believe that….that kid I met that night is the same kid."
"That's just it, he's not." He pauses for a moment. "There he is."
Alex looks in the direction that Bobby is gazing, "Who, there who is?"
He points, "The beer guy."
She laughs, "Keep your eye out for the hot dog guy and the peanut guy."
"I will," he looks around the stadium, "I'd forgotten how big this place was."
"You've been to a Jets game here?"
"No the last time I went to a Jet game I was 18, my friends and I scored some tickets. That was when they played at Shea stadium, nose bleed seats but…."
"Who won?"
"Who won? I don't remember it was 30 years ago all I remember about that night was that I got drunk on beer and ended up sleeping…." He clears his throat. "Anyway, these seats are awesome." He stands and gets the attention of first the beer seller then the hot dog vendor. He chuckles a bit as he sits, handing her, her beer and dog.
"What?" she inquires. "What are you laughing about?"
"We could have gone to dinner at Sal's and it would cost the same."
They share a laugh, "Yeah," she scans the crowd, "But it's the atmosphere that makes it worth it."
He nods, "You got a point there."
"Got drunk and ended up sleeping, where?"
"First down," he says then purposely takes a bite of his hot dog to fill his mouth so he cannot speak.
"Got drunk and ended up sleeping, where?"
He swallows. "Let it go Alex."
"You opened the door," she nudges him, "Come on tell me."
He sets the beer cup on the ground. "Oh alright, I had to take a leak so I went to the bathroom, after I finished I was suppose to go to the left, I went to the right." He lowers his long arm and picks up the cup. "Anyway I started walking and ended up near a flight of stairs, being drunk I thought it was to the spectator part of the stadium. I couldn't remember if I was to go up the stairs or down, I tried to go down."
"Tried?"
"I didn't know it at the time but I passed a sign that read keep out, this area under construction. Well," he takes a sip of beer. "I must have fallen down the stairs because when I woke up my head and my back hurt. No blood but…." He points toward the game. "Stopped them on third down, awesome." He places the cup between his legs so he can clap. "When I did wake up the place was dark except for night lights, you know the kind on the walls. Well as I walked down the stairs I discovered that not only was the place dark it was locked up."
"What happened with your friends, didn't they wonder what happened to you?"
"No, they told me later that they were drunker than I was."
"How, ah when did you finally get out?"
"The workman, I heard them. They were the people that were fixing the area where I was. I followed the stairs to the first level and the door was open."
"Oh yeah," she smiles as she nods her head, "The teenage years, now." She pats his arm, "Tell me the real story."
"That was the real…."
She interjects, "Look me in the eye and tell me that, that was the real story."
"Touchdown," he screams as he stands.
"Ok, ok don't tell me."
Bobby's Place
"Thanks for the great day, I really enjoyed it and to top it off the Jets won. I'd ask you to come in, but…."
"Yes I know and I, we agreed to take it slow and…." He places his arm behind her neck and pulls her forward. The kiss to her lips is somewhat of a surprise. He pulls away before she has a chance to respond.
"Goodnight Alex, see you tomorrow."
"Night Bobby," he reaches for the door handle, "Oh by the way," Alex says as she touches his arm. "I'm still curious about the….I got drunk and ended up sleeping….where?"
He smiles to himself, you'll never know. "Goodnight Alex," he says sternly.
She concedes, "Goodnight," she sighs. "I will never ask again, some things should be kept secret. Besides a little mystery is a good thing. I totally understand."
He leans over and kisses her cheek, "Thank you."
He didn't buy that at all."
She's full of it….a little mystery is a good thing. Yeah right.
December 2004
Madison Square Garden
Bobby sits between Alex and Cheryl along with hundreds of others who have filled the lower tier of Madison Square Garden to watch 914 men and women graduate from the Police Academy.
The spectators applaud as the graduates file into the arena. Mayor Bloomberg walks up to the podium as the graduates take their seats. "Good evening," he says then lowers the microphone. "It is always an honor to be here to congratulate and welcome all of you to this commencement. One of the strengths of this class is its diversity," he says looking out at the sea of blue uniforms. "Also of the 914 graduates here 219 man and women of this class have earned a four-year college degree, and 163 have completed associate degrees. Also my sincere thanks and gratitude to the many Iraq war veterans," The audience applauds. "The truth is each of you took a different path to reach this point today," the mayor says. He smiles as he reads, "A few of you were taxicab drivers, businessmen and even a dancer. That's good," he says with a chuckle. "You need to be quick on your feet," once again applause. "One of the graduates here today was very quick on his feet. On October 10th of last year, this young man rescued a woman whose intention was to throw herself onto the tracks of an oncoming subway train." Muttered voices heard, the man sitting behind Bobby says. "I remember that story."
The Mayor continues, "If this is an indication of the breed of officers that will be patrolling the streets of New York. I not only feel safe but also secure in the knowledge that young man and women of this caliber are here to protect and serve the public." Applause fills the arena. "When I heard this story," Mayor Bloomberg continues. "It cemented my belief that a police officer is not made....he or she is born, congratulations to you all." Once again, applause fills the arena. "It is time for me to announce the recipient of the Mayor's Award to the recruit who earned the highest overall average in the class." He picks up the plaque, "May I introduce to you Anthony Mark Fisher."
Tony stands and walks tall and proud the twenty feet to the podium. He shakes the mayors' hand with his right hand and takes a hold of the plaque with his left. The audience cheers in approval as he gestures a little wave as he returns to his seat. "Congratulations again to all of you," Bloomberg turns to face Ray Kelly, "Commissioner."
As the Mayor returns to his seat, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly takes his place at the podium. "Good evening," he says as he adjusts his tie. "From this day forward, you will see the world differently; you will live your life through the prism of your mission to protect the people of New York. Congratulations to all of you for your hard work and determination." The audience applauds. "The Mayor spoke earlier about the need to be quick on your feet for this job and yes it is true that a young recruit here tonight was not only quick on his feet he is what some people might call a hero. "It is my honor to present to this recruit the Commanding Officer's Award for exceptional police duty and for demonstrating exceptional courage in the face of danger. If the face looks familiar well… he was up here already this evening, Anthony Mark Fisher." Once again, Tony rises from his chair and walks to the podium. After a handshake from the commissioner and once again the Mayor Tony returns to his seat. The commissioner returns to the podium, and after giving Matthew I. Fromkin the Police Commissioner's Award for second highest overall average. He says, "Just one more thing before I go….well maybe two," soft chuckles throughout the arena. "It takes courage and character to be a police officer, be safe and be smart congratulations to you all."
He stands at the podium until the applause ceases. He then turns in the direction of George Grosso. "Ladies and Gentlemen the First Deputy Commissioner." Grosso steps up to the podium. "Deputy," the men shake hands. Grosso hands out various plaques to several recruits. He begins by presenting to Adam C. George the First Deputy Commissioner's Award for earning the highest academic average. The Chief of Department's Award for earning the highest physical fitness average. "We have a tie this year," he presents the award to Brian J. Daniels and Janine Bernier. In addition, Henry Jansen, Jr. received the Deputy Commissioner of Training Award for earning the highest rating in firearms. "The last award for the evening is for the class valedictorian once again ladies and gentlemen, Anthony Mark Fisher." Once again, Tony rises from his seat and walks the twenty feet to the podium, he stands and looks out onto the crowd, immediately he finds Bobby, a head taller than the rest. He flashes a smile and a subtle nod to the trio.
A much deserved round of applause is given and as the sound fades Alex takes a quick glance at her partner and friend. Tony has returned to his seat. "I've seen that look before on your face," she says as she hands him a tissue.
"I don't...." He takes the tissue, "What?"
"I said I've seen that look before on your face." He dabs his eyes, "When he received his degree. The next time will be when he tells you that he's getting married and then when he becomes a father."
"Knock it off."
Bobby places his arm around her shoulder and pulls her in closer, "Hey Bobby?"
"Yeah," he says as he watches the closing ceremony. "So what happened, you know….I got drunk and ended up sleeping, where?"
He laughs aloud, "Can't help yourself can you?"
"Ah, it's the cop in me; I've come to some….many strange scenarios, whatever you want to think."
"Use one of your strange scenarios."
She sits forward and crosses her arms, "Damn."
Bobby flashes a smirk as he watches with intent as the graduates most of them exuberant twenty year olds holler, shout and as always the traditional of tossing caps in the air. Cheryl stands and tries to focus on the celebration, she nudges Bobby on the arm, handing him the camera.
I'm going to end it here, be back soon with an update.
Later The Mominator