Chapter 8
Moreland led them across the street to a large building and held the door open for them. Zach let Harry and Dave go in first, reached above where Moreland was holding the door and motioned for him to go in and then entered himself.
They were escorted into a large room with several cubicles. "These are for our one-on-one counseling sessions with veterans, teaching them computer skills and other ways to re-enter back into the work force.
"Computers?" Harry said. "Like I saw Zach working on this morning?"
"Harry, I seen you back at the Company CP. You typed out your reports and were pretty efficient with a keyboard if I remember correctly. That's basically all it is." Harry looked at him. "Trust me; if I can learn it, so can you. I barely passed typing class in high school."
Scott smiled. "I starred in that one. But that was a long time ago."
Rossi shook his head. "It's like riding a bike."
"But I don't understand it."
"Harry, there's not much to understand. The technology hasn't passed you by. You just gotta learn to trust it. It's pretty amazing once you do."
"Sergeant Scott, when Dad and Uncle Dave go out on a case with the team, Jack and I talk to Dad just about every night via a service and the camera in my computer. It's called Skype. And it keeps us in touch face to face. It's pretty cool. But it starts with the worldwide connection the internet provides."
"And Sergeant Scott, we have many vets around here your age that initially felt the same way. We provide them the training to get through that, as well as assist them in finding jobs. Let's go into the room across the hall." Scott shook his head slightly, still not in full buy-in.
As they entered the hallway, Moreland motioned down the rest of the hall. "The rest of the rooms are for group counseling. We have support groups for AA, NA, PTSD; everything that can affect a veteran. Some are led by trained counselors; others are led by peer members."
He showed them into a large dining hall. "We can house up to 142 veterans we find on the streets and bring them here. And Sergeant Scott, with the current situation of our military, which I fully support, both men and women," he smiled. "We help them transition from street life to work life. And," he said smiling at Scott, "our success rate is 98.2 percent. We are very proud of that."
"You should be Jake," Dave smiled, and then looked at Harry.
"That's astounding Mr. Moreland," Zach added, clearly understanding the statistics. "You've got the whole package for our vets," Zach smiled, and then shook his head. "I wish there were more facilities like this across the country."
"Zach, I'm Jake. And yes, we only serve LA County," he said, adding a smile. "But because we have been so successful, many other VA out-reach services have come here and studied our work. It's expanding across the country, slowly but surely."
Zach smiled at Dave, looping his long arm across his shoulders. "You rock," he smiled.
"And Sergeant Scott, there's something special I want to show you," Moreland said, directing them to some boards on easels at the back of area. "This is something we are really proud of. In June of 2013, we will be opening a 146 apartment complex for our veterans, subsidized by the LA County Housing Authority. The units will be kitchenettes, but with a bathroom and kitchen in each unit, plus a community hall. It will help to even better transition our vets into living on their own. However, the only veterans that will be allowed in are those with steady jobs. They will have to pay utilities. But like I said, it starts the transition."
"Jake," Dave smiled, "given the age the difference, I hate to sound like my nephew, but that is too cool."
Moreland proudly smiled. "We're the first in the country to do it." Dave ever the profiler could see that Harry was impressed. Jake led them back into the lobby area and pressed the button on the elevator. When the doors opened he gestured the three in and they entered. Moreland followed them in.
When they got off, they entered a day room. Around were a group of people, many watching a football game a large, flat screen TV. Jake smiled. "We know how to work the local businesses for donations or reduced prices. The Best Buy up the road has been a huge supporter. Their Geek Squad always helps with our tech issues with the computers; free of charge." Dave, as well as Zach, noticed most in the room was showing gray in their hair.
He led them down on a hall. The door was open. "This is our woman's first step facility. We're getting more, but right now, the fourteen beds cover our needs." The three looked in to see two rows of single beds, lockers next to each, with a shower and bathroom facility at the end.
"Looks like a Marine barracks to me," Harry smiled. Zach looked at Dave and gently smiled. Moreland was winning him over. Dave rubbed Zach's back. "But that's the problem; with our recent engagements, our volunteers are finding more and more women. We're working to expand our facilities on that."
Harry looked at Jake, and said in his gravelly voice, "You are working that far ahead of the game?"
"Yes, Sergeant Scott, we are. And as I said, we could really need someone like you around here," Moreland smiled. Scott looked at him, with Dave softly smiling at Zach. "Sergeant Scott, while we find a few Desert Storm and Iraqi or Afghan vets out on the street, most are your age and going through the same situation. Agent Rossi texted me this morning that you are six months sober."
Harry smiled. "And damn proud of it; I can't wait to get my one year medallion," he smiled. Dave rubbed his shoulder. Zach smiled just as proudly.
"And that's why we need you. You can relate to your fellow vets. You've 'been there, done it'. You can't appreciate how much these people relate to someone that understands exactly what they are going through. Our counselors can help; but someone that has walked in their shoes makes all the difference. And right now, we don't have that for our older veterans. With all due respect, Sergeant Scott, we've got to get them transitioned out," Jake smiled. "However, in the meantime, we can offer you three meals a day and housing. Plus some clothing; but I see you've got a head start on that."
Zach rubbed Rossi's shoulder again. "However Sergeant Scott," Jake continued. "Welcome back to the military. You are responsible for cleaning your own clothes." He softly smiled. "Part of our transition efforts."
Harry looked at Dave with new tears in his eyes. "You knew, didn't you?"
Dave softly smiled. "I knew Harry a wrong had to be corrected. I worked with DOD through my connections to get that done. But someone in that world gave me the heads up on New Directions. I checked it out on web, on my own," he smiled, "I didn't need Zach or our fantastic BAU tech analyst to help me. I did it because I learned how to handle the web and I knew they could help you. That's when I contacted Jake. He got the rest of the ball rolling. And Harry, the 'this'," Dave gestured with two fingers on each hand, "is the World Wide Web. If I can master it, you sure as hell can," Dave smiled.
"Holy shit Harry! If Uncle Dave got this, you'll be a natural in two days," Zach smiled. Dave rolled his eyes at Zach, getting a laugh out of Moreland and a large smile from Harry.
Harry looked at Jake. "When can I be a part of this?" he asked with a smile.
Moreland smiled. "Right now; we've got a bed waiting for you. I repeat for you Sergeant. We need you around here. And I can tell you, you'll be at the top of the list for that new housing development if you help us. And as you progress, we've got a more independent housing system in the building. Think of it as college dorm. That's how much we really hope to progress you; and you contribute. I'm hoping we can get you in there in a couple of weeks." Jake's smile was sincere, which all three read.
Dave looked at Scott. "You're choice Harry."
Harry wiped away a tear. "I'm in. To know I can help my fellow vets with my experience and to not have to live on the street anymore," he paused. "That's priceless." Zach and Dave smiled at each other.
"But Dave my bag, with some stuff I want in it, is still back at the hotel." Zach smiled broadly.
Dave noticed. "Go kid."
"Gives us a chance for a celebration dinner," Zach smiled broadly.
Dave and Zach exchanged a high five, as Jake Moreland beamed. "Harry, the three of us go out to dinner tonight, get your bag and then Zach and I will get you back up here."
"Dave, you don't have to buy me dinner. You've already done enough," Harry reasoned, with a large smile. "And another drive up here?"
"I can handle the gas mileage," Dave smiled.
Zach would have none of that. "OK Harry; dad and I are buying," Zach smiled brightly.
Harry looked at Jake. "They are a goddamn tandem that you don't mess with."
Jake rubbed Harry's shoulder. "No Harry, they sound like family. Welcome to ours," he smiled, sticking out his hand for shake. "Enjoy your dinner with you friends."
Sergeant Harrison Scott joined Jake Morrison's hand in a strong handshake. "I'll do just that," he said, with a smile of his gravelly voice.
Morrison shook his hand. "See you later Harry. I'll be here," he smiled.
Harry looked around. "Harry, what do you need?" Moreland noticed.
"A head, if you don't mind," he softly smiled.
Moreland matched the smile and pointed. "Down the hall." As Harry left, Zach enveloped Dave into a huge hug.
"Is this really happening Uncle Dave?"
Dave smiled at Moreland. "Seems so kiddo," he smiled.
Zach looked his uncle in the eye. "I gotta lot to talk to dad tonight; I need him. But I think my damn paper is already written," giving Rossi that broad Hotchner smile that only Zach or Jack could do; the one that melted David Rossi's heart.
Dave pulled Zach into a hug. "I love you. Learn this lesson. We pay it forward."
Zach pulled out of the hug and looked Dave in the eye. "Uncle Dave, I will never, ever forget this." The hug they then again shared was the most sincere that Jake Moreland had seen.
When it ended, he shook his head. "Dave, I know this is not your biological nephew. Your olive Italian skin is not a match to this kid's blonde hair heritage."
Zach looked at Moreland, as Harry re-joined them. "Bloodlines are not the only ties and bonds to being a family Jake."
Sergeant Harry Scott smiled. "No son, they are not." Zach clamped his large hand on Harry's shoulder, as he smiled at Dave.
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A/N: I'm blushing. The reviews and favorites are overwhelming. You folks are the best. And what keep a writer pounding away on a keyboard.
The Company CP is the Company Command Post. A command post was set up for each of the platoons of the company to return to after a patrol. Best Buy is a major US chain store for electronics.
Btw, the facts I put in this story about New Directions in Los Angeles are from their web site. I followed a link that Mr. Mantegna tweeted promoting The Fallen. The work they do there is amazing. I encourage all of you to check it out. They are doing amazing things for our veterans. Kitchenettes are basically one room apartments with a bathroom and either a fold-out couch or a Murphy bed (pulls out from the wall). And yes, they will dedicate and open that new apartment housing complex next June!