As Bode settled into the driver's seat of Manny's old truck, the engine rumbled to life beneath him. Manny slumped in the passenger seat, his face lined with exhaustion and the lingering effects of the previous night's drinking. The silence between them was thick, both men lost in their thoughts as they pulled onto the highway, for the four-hour trip back to Edgewater.
Bode glanced over at Manny, the man who had once been his captain and mentor, now a shadow of his former self. He could see the weight of shame in Manny's expression, the toll of everything he'd been through since being released from lock-up.
After several miles of silence, Manny finally spoke, his voice hoarse and broken. "I know you're disappointed in me, Bode. I'm disappointed in myself too."
Bode kept his eyes on the road, his grip tight on the steering wheel. "You don't have to explain anything, Cap. We all make mistakes."
Manny let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "This wasn't just a mistake. It was a damn mess. I screwed up, and now I'm paying the price."
Bode didn't respond right away, unsure of what to say. He wanted to be supportive, but the truth was, he didn't fully understand what had driven Manny to the brink. It wasn't like him to go off the rails like this, not after everything he had been through.
"You know, when I got out of lock-up," Manny continued, his voice trembling slightly, "I thought things would get better. I thought I could get my life back on track, maybe even rebuild what I lost. But then I found out that I'd lost everything—my pension, my seniority at Cal Fire... it's all gone, Bode. Everything I worked for, just gone."
Bode's heart sank, understanding now why Manny had spiraled. The realization of losing something he had dedicated his life to was devastating. "I'm sorry, Cap. That's... that's a lot to take in."
Manny nodded, his eyes glassy. "Yeah, it is. I'm going to be a grandfather soon. I need to get my shit together. I want to be able to take care of them, to provide for my family."
Bode's stomach dropped, the words hitting him like a punch to the gut. His mind immediately went to Gabriella—could she already be pregnant? The thought of her starting a family with Diego, living the life he had once imagined with her, twisted in his chest like a knife. But he didn't ask. He couldn't bear to hear the answer if it was true. He gripped the steering wheel even tighter, his knuckles turning white. "I see," he whispered, barely able to find his voice.
Manny sighed deeply, leaning back in his seat. "I get it, Bode. I know you still have feelings for her. But Gabriella's married to Diego now. You've got to let that go."
Bode nodded, though the words stung. He knew Manny was right, but letting go of Gabriella was easier said than done. She had been such a big part of his life, and even now, he couldn't seem to shake the hold she had on him.
As they continued down the road, the conversation shifted to more practical matters—what Manny was going to do next, how he planned to get back on his feet. Bode listened, offering support where he could, but his mind kept drifting back to Gabriella, to the way she had looked at him in that motel room, to the way she had felt when she rested her head on his chest.
By the time they reached Edgewater, the sky had started to lighten with the first hints of morning. Bode pulled into the driveway of Manny's small house, turning off the engine. He glanced over at Manny, who looked worn out but more at peace than he had when they first found him.
"Thanks for doing this, Bode," Manny said quietly, his gratitude clear. "I don't know what I would have done without you and Gabriella."
"Anytime, Cap," Bode replied, meaning it. "You're family. We'll get through this together."
Manny gave him a tired smile before opening the door and stepping out of the truck. Bode gave him a nod, then opened his own door, hopped out of the truck and tossed Manny the keys.
Bode watched him go inside, then leaned against the side of the truck, letting out a long breath. His mind was a whirl of emotions—relief, guilt, and a lingering sadness that he couldn't quite shake. Just as he did, he saw a familiar red Camaro pull up across the street. Gabriella. She parked and got out, her expression a mix of relief and worry as she hurried over to him.
"Is he okay?" she asked, glancing towards the house.
"He'll be okay," Bode reassured her. "Just needs some rest. We had a good talk on the drive home. I think he has a plan now."
"Thank you, Bode," Gabriella said turning back to Bode, her expression softening. "Can I drive you back to Trinidad?"
Bode hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure? It's not a short trip."
She shook her head, her eye glistening. "It's the least I can do, after everything you've done for my dad."