Together Again
Tuesday
Jolene and her Crew lounge around her den finishing their lunch. "The nursery is gorgeous…I love the garden theme," Patti compliments.
"I dig the cartoon insects…lady bugs, caterpillars, dragonflies…pun intended," Ida B. jokes to the amusement of the group.
"You get an ultrasound picture after every appointment?" Eva asks.
"We do…the triplets are fraternal so we have no idea what to expect: three boys, three girls, two boys and a girl; two girls and a boy," she explains.
"What is your preference?" Patti inquires.
"You know I am easy to please," she begins. Her Crew offers major side-eye. "Fine…when it comes to my grandbabies I am easy to please…just arrive healthy," Jolene clarifies. She pulls from the skein of yarn with her left hand and crotches methodically with her right.
"What are you working on today?" Ida B. asks.
"The light green is for the blankets in our nursery…the rest of the list includes blankets for their nursery; blankets for their discharge from the hospital, booties and hats," she smiles brightly, "Bless her sweet soul she could not pick a color but we have time."
They smile in understanding. Patti decides to change the subject, "Now thatbwe got our grandbaby fix…Eva, give up the details on that cool drink of water-Andre Wilson, Esquire…we know they are dirty," she teases. The Crew backs her up, "Mhm-mm…go on hussy-confess…you don't even answer your phone after dark."
"You know I am a lady who does not kiss and tell," she replies. They all snicker and elbow each other. "However, a little day drinking might possibly loosen my lips," she suggests.
"Right…why should your lips be any different than them hips," they break into laughter before Jolene sets aside her project to retrieve a bottle and glasses from the kitchen.
Wednesday
Rosita, Rick and Sasha spent the morning meeting with security vendors presenting the benefits of their products hoping to secure a contract with Kings' County law enforcement. "We need to make sure that deputies cannot turn off their cameras or the microphones," Sasha states emphatically.
"I agree…we need to create a room to review footage…plus develop a system for archive and storage," Rosita pushes, "Denise will pull it together in no time flat."
"I think I am close to getting buy in from SWAT which is huge. Eventually we need to have independent oversight," Rick proposes.
"Do you really think that is a possible?" Sasha asks.
"Not right now, but if we continue to work together and implement this right…we can make it happen," he responds with conviction.
"I am going to look for some grants. We don't want money to be an issue and we all know we cannot count on the City Council," Rosita offers.
"I am not so sure," Sasha speculates, "Deputy Grimes was powerful…we picked the right spokesperson," she praises.
"I agree…he changed minds, influenced the right people and gained political capital," Rosita compliments.
Rick nods, "Thanks, but you are still on the evil minion list," they laugh together.
Shane patrols the established neighborhood. The early outreach at the Coffee Clatch produced a handful of referrals and two basic level home security contracts. He coasts his Hummer toward the prized jewel of the cul-de-sac; the two-story white home with black shutters, trim and door. The polished brass knocker dazzles in the daylight as he slows to a stop. He peers through the windshield from behind his mirrored aviators reading the new mailbox with brass letters: GRIMES. He studies the structure desperate to determine what makes the home burst with renewal…why the grass seems greener; even the flowers are more alive.
His musing is interrupted when he notices a young man dart between two homes further up the street. He places the car in park and radios the office dispatch, "On foot in region one…suspicious activity…prepare back-up-over."
"Unit three in route-over," the dispatcher responds. Shane exits the vehicle crouching as he hurries toward the suspect. He keeps his head on a pivot hopeful to retain the element of surprise. He stops at a large topiary and peeks to the left and right before taking a large step from behind the perfectly sheered shrub. The suspect is on his knees picking the back door lock of a grand ranch style home. Pulling his taser, "Freeze and drop the lock picks…you do not have any options…raise your hands and make this easy…I am not alone," he commands.
The blonde suspect with the man bun drops the tools in his hands clanking against the concrete when they land. The young burglar raises his hands above his head and stands facing the voice he has not dared to look at previously. "Seriously, I got caught by a rent-a-cop," he taunts after facing him.
"Lace your fingers behind your head…turn around," Shane continues to issue orders. "You have the right to remain…" he recites from habit while returning his taser to the utility belt. He retrieves his cuffs and secures the suspect. I can't wait to see the look on their faces at the department.
Thursday night
Abe backs his Ford F-150 into the Grimes' driveway. "Thanks for helping with the furniture and stuff. I can already tell the difference…looks more like a home."
"Not a problem…you needed a woman's touch and fortunate for you I am a great partner," Rosita retorts.
He glances over watching her remove her seatbelt and place her purse strap across her body. You're the best kind of partner. "Lucky for me all this baby buffing is the best furniture sale."
She laughs, "They are baby proofing…and good luck getting them to accept the money."
"Once I say the money if for the babies they have to take it…I know my Folks," he shares.
"Wicked smart…I'm impressed. Let's go," she exits and makes her way to the front door.
Michonne and Rosita settle at the kitchen table sharing a bowl of chips and dip. Abe and Rick begin loading a love seat, coffee table and curtains from the parlor onto the bed of his truck. "So what is new?" Michonne asks in a sing-song voice.
"What do you mean?" she replies crunching down on a large chip.
"What do I mean? Are you decorating that man's home based on your taste or his?" she pushes.
"It's not like that…he asked for some help," Rosita attempts to explain.
"This is me…, "she eyes her friend.
Rosita huffs in exhaustion, "I started and ended a benefits only situation. We're good partners and I don't want to mess that up."
"You know you can have it all once you decide what all looks like to you," Michonne suggests. Rosita stares at her friend at a loss for words. What does all look like to me?
Friday
Judith and Amy meander through the Renaissance crowd smiling and enjoying the extended lunch. A pop music soundtrack of Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and Alessia Cara plays in the background. "I can't believe we made silver," Amy states.
"I know…this is really cool. We have to pick a day to use our smoothie front of the line passes," Judith replies.
"Yeah, how sad that I am most excited about the mile run pass for PE," they laugh together.
"Let's go check out the treats now that we have our hot dogs and chips," Judith turns away from the cafeteria and moves toward the quad.
The music is louder and the crowds thicker as the pre-teens scramble for cupcakes, cookies and rice crispy treats. Amy bumps her shoulder hard, "Look," she points toward a banner with red letters: Congrats Jude!
Eric stands underneath a medium sized canvas tent with the congratulations banner snapping in the breeze above his head. The skirt around the table advertises his business: 'Eden'. "What are you doing here?" Judith exclaims.
"Hey Brainiac, I brought your favorite cookies to share," he explains with a smile.
She looks down at the table filled with giant trays of shortbread and peanut butter cookies dipped in chocolate. She looks up…her eyes filled with gratitude and happiness. They care. She rushes around the table to wrap him in her young arms. "Thanks…this is…thank you," she whispers.
He hugs her back, "We are so proud…Keep up the good work."
Amy watches with joy in her heart for her best friend. "Give me your phone. I'll take the pictures to send Aaron."
Saturday
Carl makes his way to the dance studio carrying a bottle of water and a bag of veggie chips in his right hand. He stops short avoiding collision with the large uniformed body exiting the door to his left. "Uncle Shane?"
He spins around, "Hey Carl," he greets with a big grin, "You on your way to work?"
"Yeah after I take care of my Girl," he replies.
"Your girl…is this the pizza party date or someone new?" he teases.
Carl laughs, "Definitely the pizza party date…Justice."
He nods his head up and down, "You think she might be the one?"
He sobers nodding as well, "I hope like hell she is," he answers honestly.
"Good…listen to me," he grips Carl's left shoulder tightly. "Don't make the same mistakes I did. Do not let anything or anyone get in the way of you having what you want. There is nobody better than you and you deserve happiness just like the next guy. Do you understand?"
"I think so…May I ask you a question?" Shane nods. "Why did you leave the department?"
Shane skims the truth, "I took my own advice…I am a captain now. I didn't have to follow anyone's rules or take some stupid test. I am using my skills, my ambition to my advantage…building the life I deserve; that is what a real man-a strong man does…makes his own way in this world," his voice is harsh.
Carl squints trying to decipher what is different. This is not the same Uncle Shane. "Okay, I got to get going. It was good to see you," he offers his fist.
Shane pounds back, "You too kid…remember what I told you," he throws over his shoulder as he struts away. He stands tall with his chest puffed toward the sky.