PS19
Johnny looked at Joanne and quickly headed to his room. He carried his makeshift basket, a plastic milk box and some bungee cords. Tucked inside were some trash bags for his meager belongings which had somehow multiplied since living with the DeSoto's. When he originally arrived he had about the same amount of clothes and items as when he had left; the trailer in New Mexico left little room for personal stuff. Now he had to find a place for everything, his uniforms, toiletries, books and other sundry items he had acquired. Once he finished packing he was ready to face the firing squad.
"Uncle Johnny," Chris cornered him, looking hopeful. "Want to play catch with me?"
"Sure Chris where's Missy?" Johnny went to get his mitt in his room, something he had acquired at the DeSoto's.
"Oh she's at a friend's house. Hey Mom, we're going to play catch out in the backyard," Chris waved and so did Johnny as he reached the sanctuary of the backyard. He glanced at his watch; he would have a few hours to spend with Chris before facing Joanne. He hoped she would understand it was for their own good. He had dodged the bullet this time but next time . . . three strikes and he was out, for good maybe.
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Dinner was a subdued affair and Johnny had a feeling she had called Roy at the station. He helped clean up and the kids were sent to bed.
Joanne brewed some coffee and called Johnny over to the dining room table. She poured two cups of coffee and then served up some peanut butter cookies.
Johnny blew on his coffee and took a sip.
"So when did you plan on telling us?" Joanne's voice was filled with accusations. "Do you plan on leaving tonight?" Her voice softened.
The nervous man looked at her. The DeSoto's had given him so much and he had returned so little, but he knew it was the right time. "No, I plan on leaving tomorrow, after talking to you and Roy of course. You've done so much for me and I don't think I can ever repay you," Johnny sighed.
"Johnny, friends don't expect repayment. I just hoped you could stay with us longer," Joanne smiled and looked at him.
"Nope, time for the bird to leave the nest. Before it gets worse again. Besides not like you're going to get rid of me completely," Johnny smiled and took a bite of cookie. "How else am I going to enjoy your cooking?"
Joanne laughed. "Well…you've done a lot for Roy."
"Oh?" Johnny got serious.
"Did you know he pulled a shift at 43's to get a look at the logbook? Only by the time he got there headquarters had it," Joanne watched as her statement sunk in.
"Oh, Joanne… I … I'm my own worst enemy," Gage set the cookie back down. Suddenly he had no idea the pain and suffering he had caused his best friend.
"Yes, Roy read and watched anything he could on your case. Since the department only issued official press releases and your name wasn't … it was difficult for Roy not to talk about you," Joanne touched Gage's hand. "You're his best friend."
"Same here, that's why I did the things I did Joanne, and you know it's time I leave," Johnny stated, hoping she could convince Roy.
"Wow it's getting late," Johnny started to get up.
"If you really want to thank us, Roy then you'll tell him everything." There she had stated.
"Everything?" Johnny swallowed hard. "Joanne it … some … I can't promise that Joanne. Even I have a hard time with it."
"Okay, then how about the run that leading up to your dismissal? Roy doesn't talk about his shifts unless something gets to him and somehow he feels responsible. Maybe if you tell him about the run he can move on." Joanne squeezed his hand. "Can you do that for me, please?"
"Yah Joanne I can do that," Johnny ran his hand through his hair. "I can promise that much. The rest I really don't know." Suddenly he felt very drained. "Good night."
"Good night, Johnny and thank you," she wiped a few errant tears.
