Chapter 2

Alexia stepped up behind her mother, wrapping her thin arms around Maria's plump waist. The two women had been working in the kitchen all day making preparations for Alexia's 'Welcome Home' cookout. Alexia was quietly chopping vegetables at the kitchen table, but suddenly found herself watching the woman who had not only given her life, but who had never given up on her during her darkest days. An overwhelming feeling of love washed over her, and the young woman couldn't resist the urge to hug her mother. As her arms rested on her mother's hips, she felt her mother stop her cooking and turn around to envelope Alexia in a motherly embrace.

"Something bothering you, daughter?"

"I just love you so much, Mama," Alexia whispered, laying her head on her mother's ample bosom. "I can never repay you for raising Antonio, and for never giving up on me."

Maria ran her hand down her daughter's long dark tresses, kissing her lightly on her forehead. "Oh Lexi, you're a mother now. You understand the undying unconditional love a mother has for her child. You suffered because you loved Antonio more than you loved yourself. That's a mother's love, sweetheart. And it's the love I feel for you and the boys. It only grows as we get older." This was the kind of tender moment Maria had missed over the last five years, and she was determined not to miss any more opportunities to impart her wisdom to her youngest child. She had five years of lost time to make up for, and she was going to take advantage of every opportunity.

"Do you think they would've come even if you hadn't made it a double celebration for Mike?" Lexi asked, pulling back from the embrace, turning her back to her mother as she returned to her seat at the kitchen table. She tried to keep the quiver out of her voice, but the inflection gave her away.

Maria could see Alexia's shoulder's slumping, and knew that the emotional scars of the last five years were going to take a long time to heal. Her daughter's self-worth had risen only slightly since she had gotten off the streets. Now the fear she was feeling was palpable to those around her. She was afraid that the people she had started growing close to might not reciprocate, leaving her feeling vulnerable to additional heartache. Beverly had warned the Lopez family that self-doubt would likely rear its ugly head at some point. They had hoped that it wouldn't happen, but Maria and her sons were prepared for the possibility. They had talked to each person they had invited to the cookout, letting them know how important their presence was to Alexia and her recovery. They had gotten commitments from everyone, even Barney Olsen and Samford Bennett. Now, it was just a matter of time before Alexia's celebration cook out began, and what they hoped would be another huge step forward for her. She needed to understand that she was valued, that people would actually choose to spend time with her because they enjoyed being in her presence, not for what she could do for them in a carnal sense.

"Yes, Lexi," Maria began, walking over to the place where her daughter sat. She reached out, lifting her daughter's chin and looking into her misty eyes. "Yes, they would have. They had already agreed to come BEFORE I included Mike in the celebration. They were coming for you, sweetheart. It just seemed right to celebrate Mike's victory, not just for Mike, but for Bri, too."

Alexia searched her mother's face for any signs of deception. She had become well-versed in the ways of liars, able to recognize their behavior and facial features as well as any professional. Seeing nothing amiss, she tried to offer a weak smile.

Maria saw the truth behind her daughter's question, and decided to put her concerns to rest. "I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that Mike wouldn't come unless the celebration was for him," she stated with a knowing tsk. Maria pulled the younger woman closer, whispering to her. "He was the first one who accepted the invitation."

E!

In the solitude of his apartment, Johnny sat at his kitchen table. He had been unable to sleep the previous night, and now his stomach rumbled, protesting the omission of breakfast and the lukewarm coffee he was attempting to consume for lunch. Even though he hadn't eaten, he really wasn't hungry. His anxiety level seemed to be growing exponentially with each passing hour. He wondered if the next phone call or knock on the door would usher the return of those dark sordid days from his past.

Another stomach rumble forced him to get up and trek across his small kitchen to search his sparse cabinets for something of sustenance. Finding a can of tomato soup, he opened it with his manual can opener and poured the contents into a small saucepan. He added a soup can of water to the red concoction, and stirred it while it heated, his eyes blurring as the swirl of crimson liquid dragged him unwillingly back in time. He felt his body reject the memory, resulting in an almost convulsive retching episode that left him hovering over his trash can, spitting the remnants of his black coffee into the receptacle.

He closed his eyes, running has hand across his sweaty brow. "Damn it, Gage! Get a hold of yourself! He isn't here. He doesn't know where you are. You did what he demanded you do," he mumbled to himself, staggering back over to the stove to finish warming the soup. Being the thinnest man on shift meant he often found himself crawling into the narrowest of spaces to rescue victims. He seemed to always be teetering on the edge of the lower weight limit, and knew that he could not afford to lose weight. He had to find a way to keep his food down, and keep his weight up enough to stay on shift, at least for a little while longer.

As soon as the soup was thoroughly heated, he carried the saucepan by the handle and placed it on a potholder on his table. Living the life of a bachelor had its advantages; he didn't have to concern himself with proper table etiquette. He crushed up a few saltine crackers into the steaming saucepan and stirred them around until the soup was cool enough to eat. He forced it down, willing his body to hold it in place long enough for his stomach to digest it. He needed the fuel, needed the energy. Leaving the empty saucepan behind, he walked into the living room and sat down on his sofa. He stared at the navy photo album on his coffee table. The album only two other people knew existed. The one that held the memories of his darkest days, and the one that ultimately drove him to a life in California and a career in the fire service. Why had he held on to the photos all this time? Why couldn't he let go of them, now? The answer was as obvious as the nose on his face. Those days, however dark they had ended up being, were also some of the best of his life. The memories of that trip, the people he had met, the life that became his own… The memories were key to his identity, both then and now. His life was chronicled in that photo album and he couldn't toss it out like yesterday's newspaper.

He exhaled loudly, knowing he had laundry to do and a few other minor housekeeping chores, but his body felt as heavy as lead beneath the burden revealed in Iris' letter from the day before, and the lack of sleep last night. He lay down, crossing his arm over his face, and eventually fell into a fitful slumber.

E!

"Joe, I'd like a consult with you, please?"

The gray-haired physician, who was leaning against the nurse's station, looked up from the chart he was reviewing. He removed his reading glasses, pocketing them in his lab coat. "Sure, Kel. Your office?"

Dr. Brackett cut his cobalt eyes at his favorite nurse who was perched on her stool behind the nurse's station. "Actually," he began with a smile, "I'd like for both of you to come along with me to see our patient in room 419."

Dixie slipped her hips off the stool. "I checked with her nurse a little while ago. She's done everything you asked her to do. She's been eating her meals, and drinking plenty of water. Are you going to let her go?" She asked in her dusky voice, crossing her arms over her chest.

The stance was one that Kel knew well. It was Dixie's way of saying 'you better keep your end of the bargain, buster.' His lip twitched as Joe stepped up behind Dixie, both of them waiting for a response. "That's my plan, but I'd really like to get your opinions on her condition, first."

"Why? You're her physician," Dixie asked, arching an eyebrow at her former beau. She admired his skills as a physician, but was often annoyed by his bedside manner.

"She's been lied to for years, Kel," Dr. Early added. "She's looking forward to this cookout. Even if she isn't quite ready to be discharged, I think you need to let her go. If she needs to come back, Beverly will see to it that she's readmitted."

"I'm only asking for a consult. I didn't say I was going to keep her here," Kel said a little too defensively. "Dixie, I trust your woman's intuition, and your nursing skills are top notch. You'll be able to pick up on things that I might miss… as a man," he muttered, shifting his stance. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of his older colleague. "Joe, I trust your judgment as to both her physical AND her emotional condition. I just want to make sure that I've done everything I can for her."

Acquiescing to Dr. Brackett's request, Dixie and Joe followed him to the elevator. As they waited for the metal doors to open, Joe looked over at his friend. "Kel, have her tests come back, yet?"

"Some," he said seriously. "I'm going to have to give her a dose of penicillin before she leaves," he commented, knowing the other two would understand the meaning behind it. The doors opened, and he sighed in relief that the car was empty. As soon as the doors closed, he began again. "Her pelvic exam was normal, with the exception of some scarring. It's obvious that she's been…," he hesitated, unsure how to relay his concerns. "Well, tortured is the only word that comes to mind."

Dixie felt herself sink back against the back wall of the elevator. She couldn't imagine the feeling of helplessness that Bri must have experienced over the last few years. The repeated rapes and assaults that she felt powerless to report to the authorities must have taken a huge toll on the young woman. "Damn," she mumbled, shocking the two men in the elevator with her. "That's why you want us to join you, isn't it?"

"Yes," Kel agreed. "I feel confident treating the physical issues, but the emotional ones will be much more difficult to deal with. I just want to make sure that I'm not missing something."

Joe placed a consoling hand on Kel's shoulder just as the bell dinged to indicate they had arrived at the fourth floor. "You've done the exam. You're going to treat her for the venereal disease you know she has. You've got to trust that if the other tests come back positive, then she'll return so that you can treat her for those, too. I'm a neurologist, not a psychiatrist, Kel. You know that. You need reassurance because you really feel inadequate for this patient, don't you?"

"Are you sure you aren't a psychiatrist?" Dr. Brackett joked, stepping off the elevator.

As the three friends walked down the hallway, Kel's chin dropped lower and lower. As they approached their destination, he finally spoke up. "To answer your question, yes, I do feel inadequate, Joe," the younger man admitted. "But she's refusing a psychiatric consult."

"Do you blame her?" Dixie piped up. "She's been put down and abused, physically, sexually, emotionally…," she looked away for a moment before she continued. "It's been going on for years. In her mind, she probably already thinks she's crazy because of the mess her life has been in. She doesn't want to hear it again from another stranger - a man, at that." She looked up at the two men who stood on either side of her. "We really need a female on staff to deal with these kinds of cases. You two, and all men, are at a huge disadvantage in this arena," she stated, pocketing her hands into her white uniform top with an air of confidence.

"And that's why I wanted you here, Dix," Dr. Brackett said with a wink as he knocked on his patient's door.

"Come in," was heard by the small group of professionals. Dixie entered Bri's room first followed by the two physicians.

"How's our girl feeling this afternoon?" The matronly nurse inquired with a gentle smile.

"I'm good. I've eaten every meal, just like you told me to, Dr. Brackett," Bri informed her physician. "And I've been drinking lots of water, right Beverly?"

The counselor, looking well-rested in spite of the night she had spent sleeping in an uncomfortable plastic recliner, nodded knowingly. "She sure has. I believe this is her fourth pitcher," she said, rattling around the few pieces of ice that remained in the otherwise empty container. "And it's pretty much empty."

"Well then," Dr. Brackett began with a big smile, removing his stethoscope from the oversized pocket of his lab coat. "I guess you've been getting plenty of exercise going back and forth from the bed to the bathroom."

Dixie opened the chart, perusing the notes the nursing staff had been making during Bri's stay. "I'd say so. Her output looks pretty good, Kel."

Joe looked at the hopeful young woman with the marked bruising around her stitched up cheek. He gave her a knowing wink as he stepped up behind his colleague who was listening to her breath sounds and heartbeat. "Dr. Brackett, it's my professional opinion that our patient here is ready for discharge."

Kel removed the ear pieces, allowing his stethoscope to dangle around his neck. He looked intently at Bri's injury checking for any signs of infection. "Hmm," he mused, allowing the dramatic effect of his seemingly inconclusive exam to encourage his patient a little more. "Well, I suppose you're right, Dr. Early," he said, tossing his words over his shoulder at the older man. Then returning his attention to his patient. "Bri, I do need to give you a shot of penicillin for an infection that you have," he stated, matter-of-factly. "There are still a couple of tests pending, but if you agree to come back for treatment if they come back positive, AND promise that you'll return if you have any pain, discomfort, or signs of infection in this area," he said, waving his hand along her right jaw line, "then I'll sign your discharge papers, and get you out of here in time to make it to the cookout."

"Really?" Bri beamed, the effort stretching the stitches in her tender skin. "Owe."

"Careful, don't want to cause any damage to some of my best work," Kel joked. Then his face turned serious once more. "You've done well, Bri. I'm…," he looked around the room, then back at his young patient. Dixie had taught him a thing or two about people during the course of their working together. "We're all very proud of you."

Bri dipped her head, tucking her mussed up hair behind her ear. "Thanks… I… I won't let you down, not this time," she said, casting her dark eyes to her counselor.

"You didn't let anyone down last time," Beverly reminded her. "You just couldn't tell us what you were up to, that's all."

"Well, if you all will excuse us," Dr. Brackett said, slapping Dr. Early on the shoulder. "We've got some sick and injured people to see, and you, little lady, are no longer one of them." He turned to his trusted nurse. "Dix, if you'll see that she gets the antibiotic injection and that the IV is removed, then I believe our young friend here has some new clothes to get dressed up in. She has a party to attend."

E!

Eyes darted beneath closed eyelids as Johnny lay sleeping on his couch. Exhaustion had finally overtaken him, ushering him into a deep fitful sleep, lasting much longer than he had intended. The afternoon shadows grew long as the setting sun made its pass across his living room window. The images inside his mind matched the shadows creeping along his living room floor. A dog in the small park next to his apartment began barking, sending Johnny's subconscious back in time.

Shouts and screams mixed with the barking of dogs and the honking of horns. Steel girders loomed large along the Eastern horizon as the sun rose, it's beams struggling to permeate the cool foggy morning. Crowds were gathering for what was sure to be a showdown of force between two opposing worlds, neither of which he belonged in. Lily held tightly to the crook of his arm while Iris blocked her protectively from the melee happening around them.

"Let's get out of the way," Iris directed, pushing the two teenagers around the corner of a brick building, shielding them from the worst of the happenings.

Johnny backed up, pressing his skinny frame against the side of the building to allow his two female companions room along the narrow sidewalk. Then a large man bumped against his left shoulder, nearly dislodging his camera from his tight grip. He looked up into the face of William Waite, the grimace on the older man's face sending chills down the younger man's spine.

"Don't do it, boy," the menacing man growled.

Johnny felt himself cowering beneath the glare of the burly man. His chin dropped, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped for air. "N-no, s-sir… No sir, I won't," he stammered as a hand that seemed larger than his face reached out, wrapping thick fingers around his throat.

"Aarrgh!"

"Aarrgh!" Johnny groaned, nearly falling off the couch. His breath came in short gasps as rivulets of perspiration weaved their way along his hairline. "Shit," he cursed, running both hands through his sweat-soaked hair as he struggled to regain control of himself. While the setting of the dream was accurate, William Waite's presence and his attack on Johnny had been a figment of Johnny's hypervigilant subconscious. While his threats had been real, Waite had never actually attacked Johnny. But Johnny knew what the man and his cronies were capable of, and that knowledge frightened him more than running into burning buildings without lifelines and SCBAs.

When his breathing finally slowed down, he glanced at his watch. "Aww, no," he mumbled, realizing that he was already late for the Lopez cookout and he still needed a shower.

E!

Alexia sat on the porch sipping lemonade while her young son and nieces played in the front yard. She had enjoyed an entire day of catching up with her brothers and sisters-in-law while they made preparations for the evening's festivities. She saw a van turn down her street, and felt her heart leap into her throat. Her first non-family guests were arriving. She stood up, waving to Caroline as she stepped out of the van.

"Hi," Alexia called out. "I'm so glad you could come."

Caroline saw that Chet was assisting Corrie to get out of the vehicle, so she walked on over to meet her new friend. "Hello," she said, wrapping her arms around Alexia in a friendly hug. "You look good. How was your first night home?"

"Wonderful," the younger woman stated with a bright smile. "Antonio slept in the bed with me last night. I finally felt like a real mother."

"You are a real mother, Lexi," she said with a smile, pulling the young woman into another quick hug.

"Hey, Antonio?" Chet called out, helping Corrie out of the van. "You're date is here," he called out with a snicker.

"Corrie!" Antonio yelled, leaving his cousins behind to go join his newest friend.

Within twenty minutes, The DeSotos and the Stanleys had arrived, as had Barney Olsen. The group was growing too large for the front yard, so most of them began to trickle around to the back yard where Marco and his brothers were manning the grill. Alexia remained on the front porch to greet the remaining guests she prayed hadn't changed their minds about attending. When she heard a car door slam along the curb a couple of houses down, her heart did a somersault inside her chest. The most handsome fireman she had ever seen was walking towards her.

Mike saw the smile that lit up Alexia's face as he stepped up onto the front porch of the Lopez home. "You're looking happy, Lexi," he said, his blue eyes sparkling.

"I am," she said, nodding her head frantically. She had to restrain herself from throwing her arms around his neck. Even if he was a guest of honor at the celebration, she wanted to make sure he felt welcome. "I'm so glad you could come."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Free food and drink, not to mention the company of pretty ladies," he said, flirtatiously. "I brought some cookies and some fruit. I really didn't know what else to contribute," he grinned sheepishly.

"Oh, Michael, you didn't have to bring anything but yourself, but thank you." Alexia stood looking at him as if trying to convince herself that he was real. "Let's go put these in the kitchen."

"Have you heard from Bri?" Mike asked, concerned for his exonerator.

Alexia left her hand resting on the door knob as she turned to her side to respond to Mike's question. "No, I haven't. I just hope that things went well last night, and Dr. Brackett will let her come by here this evening. I tried to call her hospital room, but I didn't get an answer. I hope that means she's on her-"

Alexia's abrupt stop in mid-sentence, and her eyes suddenly becoming misty, made Mike turn around to see what she was looking at. Down the street, he saw two familiar faces heading towards them. "Well, Lexi, looks like your prayers were answered."

Bri walked slowly beside Beverly, keeping one step behind her counselor. While she was excited to see her best friend, she was anxious to be around the other people who were friends of the Lopez family. They all knew her, knew what she had been doing with her life, and shame wrapped its icy fingers around her heart, squeezing tightly. Humiliation silently yelled at her, telling her she should leave this happy celebration and return to the scum of the earth where she belonged.

She dropped her head in disgrace as they made their way up the sidewalk toward their destination. Her dark jeans felt crisp against her legs, and her new sandals were sparkling in the late afternoon sun, gifts to her from people she really didn't know. She thought of the scene in the Emergency Department exam room where the entire group, the same group celebrating with the Lopezes now, had purchased new clothes and the most beautiful vase of flowers she had ever seen - all for her. Confusion began to cloud her brain. Was it possible that they really cared about her? Was she worth their efforts? Then a familiar voice shouted her name, and the look on Alexia's face answered those questions.

"BRI!"

Bri looked up, feeling a sense of relief as she saw the look of joy on her friend's face. "Lexi! He let me go," she said, unnecessarily, referring to Dr. Brackett, "and I'm going back to The Wellhouse tonight."

Beverly patted Bri on the back. "And she's going to complete the program this time," she said, looking back and forth between the two friends. "Right?"

"Yes," Bri agreed, finally allowing a smile to light up her eyes. The action caused the stitches to tug on her tender skin, sending her hand flying to cover her right cheek. "Owe!"

"It'll go away soon." Alexia grabbed her friend's arm. "C'mon, I want to show you around Mama's house, er, I mean my house. We've picked out a room for you, when you're ready to come home," she said, walking up the steps and giving Mike a big smile.

Beverly stopped at the top of the steps, greeting Mike with a pleasant smile.

"Looks like she's making a lot of progress in a short time," he stated as the two of them watched the young women head inside, chatting like any other friends would do when they were together.

Beverly lifted her emerald eyes to meet those of the tall engineer. "I think so, Mike. I think she's really going to make it this time. She did everything Brackett asked of her."

"That's great," he said, propping one hand on his hip. He thought about all the times he had heard Dr. Brackett give orders to an injured comrade. The thought of his youngest crewmate scoffing at Dr. Brackett's orders caused him to let his head fall back slightly as he released a deep laugh. "Ahaha… Maybe Bri needs to talk to Johnny then," he said, still snickering.

Beverly laughed along with him, having heard Marco tell stories of Johnny's frequent injuries and disdain for hospitals. "Speaking of Johnny, are he and the rest of the gang in the backyard?"

"Marco is," Mike said with a knowing wink. "And yes, the other guys are here with their families," he commented, noting the familiar vehicles parked along the street, "um, but I don't see Johnny's Rover. Of course, maybe he's just trying to make a grand entrance."

Beverly shook her head with a chuckle. "I think I'll head to the backyard," she said, wanting to see a certain senior lineman. "It's good to see you again, Mike."

"You too," he said, waiting for her to walk into the house before he craned his neck looking up and down the street. Johnny had not yet arrived, and it wasn't like him to be late for a gathering where food was offered, especially when the food was prepared by Mrs. Lopez.

E!

Johnny donned his aviator sunglasses, allowing the wind to blow dry his damp hair as he drove his Rover towards the Lopez residence. He wished he hadn't agreed to attend the gathering, even though he knew that it would upset Mrs. Lopez if he didn't at least make an appearance. He shifted gears, pulling away from the traffic light, and into the inside lane to pass the slower traffic. His right wrist was draped across the top of the steering wheel, allowing his left elbow to rest on the open window. The evening air was cool, reminding him of that foggy morning from his dream. If William Waite was back, was he after Johnny? Did the older man really intend to make good on his threats from so long ago?

Johnny allowed his mind to drift back in time, wishing he could change the course of history. He thought about how different his life might be if the events from his past had never happened. Would he be a firefighter/paramedic? He knew the answer to that question, because if he had remained on the reservation then he might be a volunteer firefighter, but not a paramedic. Paramedicine still hadn't made it to Montana, yet.

He ran his left hand through his hair as he slowed down the Rover, preparing to make the turn onto the Lopez' street. He saw the line of familiar vehicles, and silently cursed his tardiness – a fact that left him parking along the street several houses down from his destination. He pulled into an open spot, grateful that the Rover had a short wheel base so that he could pull into the parallel parking place head on. Walking along the sidewalk ahead of him, he saw a man he hadn't expected to see at the Lopez cookout – Samford Bennett.

Standing beside the window in the room that would become Bri's, Alexia was telling her friend about various ways to decorate the room and rearrange the furniture. When she chanced a glance out the window, she couldn't help but give a slight smile at the two men she saw walking up the sidewalk. They were the last two to arrive at her cookout which meant that everyone who had been invited had come.

"Hey Bri? Come look."

Bri stepped closer to the window, peeking out from behind the yellow curtains. On the sidewalk below was the man who had convinced Hunley to release her without further harm during her brief hostage situation at Mike's hearing. He had also been the man who had driven her to the hospital for treatment, and she still remembered how she felt being carried in his strong arms - twice. Her heart gave a brief flip inside her chest, trying to sort out her feelings. Sam had said horrible, yet truthful, things about her, then later told her he hadn't meant them. Was he telling the truth now, or when Hunley was holding the knife at her throat? She didn't know, but he was here at Alexia's party, and she would try to be nice to him while she sorted out her feelings.

Walking along on the sidewalk, Johnny's long strides helped him quickly catch up with Samford. "Hey, Sam," he said, stepping up alongside the arson investigator. "Wasn't sure you'd make it."

Samford turned around just as Johnny stepped up beside him. "Hi, John. Mrs. Lopez was insistent," he explained, not willing to publicly state that he had another reason for showing up at the cookout.

"Yea, well you won't be disappointed. Mrs. Lopez has got to be one of the best cooks in the state of California," he joked, reminding himself that there were many states between himself and William Waite. He was doing everything he could to distance himself from the man he still feared.

Together the two men walked onto the lawn of the Lopez home, following the happy sounds of their friends and the smells of delicious food wafting from the backyard. They greeted the others, migrating across the backyard to the place where several ice chests were lined up. Finding a couple of bottles of beer, both men began drinking the soothing ale and participating in the small talk with the others.

An hour later, the large group was enjoying tortillas filled with a variety of meats, beans, vegetables, and various condiments. Desserts including brownies, sopapillas, pound cake, and ice cream were giving the children a jolt of energy, and adding even more smiles to the faces of the adults. Johnny leaned against the privacy fence, one knee bent with his foot against the board, watching the group of people mingle. He couldn't help but snicker to himself as he watched Samford Bennett stealing every opportunity he could to talk to Bri. Johnny wondered if he seemed as desperate to the employees of Rampart whenever a new nurse was hired on. He hoped not, but he knew that he probably did. In his heart of hearts he wanted nothing more than to find the right woman and settle down, but he knew there was only one right woman for him, and she was over one hundred miles away being brainwashed by a religious fanatic.

He stole a quick glance at his watch, noting that he had spent over an hour at the cookout. He hoped that was enough time to allow him to exit without seeming rude. Using his bent knee, he pushed away from the fence and headed over to Mrs. Lopez.

"You've thrown quite a welcome home party," he said, using his best Gage charm.

"Gracias," Maria said, brushing a graying strand of black hair away from her face. "I hope Lexi understands how special she really is."

Johnny waved his arms around him as he spoke. "Well, if this doesn't do it, I don't know what will."

Marco saw Johnny talking to his mother, and decided to walk over and join the conversation. Beverly joined him, content that Bri was doing well at the moment.

"Did you have enough to eat, John?" Marco asked, knowing that something had been bothering his young friend. He had also noted that Johnny's long face seemed a little more hollow than usual. Everyone on shift knew that Johnny's thin frame needed more food than the rest of them.

Johnny switched his warm bottle of beer from his right hand to his left. "Oh, yea man. The food was fantastic, as all Lopez food is," he said, rubbing his flat belly. "But we've got shift tomorrow and I've got a few things to do before roll call," he snickered, pointing to his shaggy hair. "I really need to do a little touch up before Cap gives me latrine duty for the whole month." He extended his hand, shaking firmly the hand of his senior lineman. "I really enjoyed this. Thanks for the invitation," he grinned, turning to leave. "I'll see ya in the mornin', Marco."

"See you then, John," Marco called out to his retreating friend. He cast his worried eyes between his mother and Beverly. Both women held questioning expressions on their faces.

"Spill it, Marco," Beverly chided, her hand resting in the crook of his arm. "You're worried about something."

Marco welcomed the tender gesture of the woman beside him. Having her so near his side felt right to him. "Something's wrong with him," he said, pulling Beverly closer to his side. "I just don't know what it is."

"Does Roy know?" Maria asked.

"I don't know. Maybe I'll have a chance to talk to him before he leaves" Marco replied, just as a new song came on the radio. Several people began dancing to the catchy tune, while one shrill voice was heard crying out above all the others.

"Mizzer Phet! Dance me, Mizzer Phet. Dance me!" Corrie cried, racing up to her future stepfather.

"You bet, ladybug," he said, swinging her up onto his shoulders. "They're playing our song!" Chet used one hand to hold onto Corrie while using the other to dance with Caroline.

Marco followed suit, lifting Antonio onto his broad shoulders and reaching out for Beverly's hand.

All of those in attendance were singing and dancing as they partnered up, or chose to dance alone. Even Mrs. Lopez tried her hand at the newest dance craze.

As Johnny walked down the sidewalk towards his Rover, he was humming the tune to himself. Allowing the limited lyrics to speak to his soul.

"Ooooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooooooo, Do it. Do the hustle."

"Do it," Johnny said to himself, climbing inside the older sport utility vehicle. "That's it, man. Like the song says – do it," he mumbled, convincing himself to follow through with his plan he had developed over the last twenty-four hours. It wouldn't be easy, but it was necessary. He cranked up the Rover, driving down the street towards his apartment. He did have to get ready for shift, but there were other things he had to get done as well.