Big thanks to NavyGirl05, Mercy156, Jewlsvern, Pharmergirl, seleneplaysgames, monkeybaby, Sanchezashley, decadenceofmysoul, Lureiel, ItsJustBecca, ki4pak, McFaddenFan, YaleAceBella12, and the guest Alex for all your reviews. It ties for the top chapter in terms of amount of reviews at 14 with chapter 44. Chapter 65 came in at 11 reviews and everything else was averaged between 3-6 reviews. The last three were definitely increasing in numbers. I appreciate that especially since they are overwhelmingly positive. I'm glad you're all enjoying this.
This chapter was influenced by a story on here called The Waiting Game by CBloom2. You guys should really check that out.
Contains scenes from and references to 3x21 and 3x22.
"Kids, dinner," Linda called that Sunday. Sean and Jack filtered in from the living room but Anna's full focus was still on the TV in the sun room. "Anna, come on."
"But Mom, it's the bottom of the seventh and they're tied," Anna pouted.
"Now, Anna. The Mets are both the bottom of the league and the bottom of their division. One game is not going to make a difference," Linda said.
"Fine." Anna pouted as she shut off the TV and went to the table. Henry clapped her on the shoulder.
"So what are we missing here?" Linda asked, looking across the table.
"My happy spirit," Anna answered. Danny and Linda both shot her a look.
"Uncle Jamie," Sean answered
"He took an extra tour," Frank sighed.
"Wine," Henry said, answering Linda's previous question. He grabbed the two bottles of the sideboard.
"Good eye, Pop," Frank answered him as everyone took seats.
"Whose turn is it?" Sean asked about grace.
"Um, Jack, you're up," Linda said after a moment of silence. They made it through dinner and most of desert without talking about her dad's case or the hot topic of the Bitterman Houses. They spent most of it talking about the last few weeks of school, baseball, and what the kids had planned for summer break. Then as Anna finished the last of her pie, there was a constant and incessant vibration coming off her phone in her back pocket. She pulled it out to shut if off but woke her phone and found several text messages from Beth and Jim.
"Anna, put the phone away. Wait until—" Frank chided. His scolding fell on deaf ears as Anna saw Jim's last text in all caps 'TURN ON CH. 10 NEWS. NOW!' the text read.
"Sorry, but evidently I have to see this," she apologized then rushed to the living room where she flipped on the news and instantly saw what they had been talking about. The headline across the bottom of the screen read 'Cops shot in Bitterman housing.' Without knowing a name, her heart wasn't racing but it was still worrying. "Grampa, Dad, maybe you should come see this," Anna called. Though her grandfather probably already knew what was going on, she needed him to see it for himself. Danny and Frank joined her in the living room just as the screen switched to a shaking and slightly blurry cell phone video.
"Turn it up," Frank said. Anna pushed the volume up button but there was still no sound despite the fact that you could see one of the two officers firing back in the opposite direction. The video cut to black before the reporter came back and she was standing down the street from the Bitterman houses.
"There is no word as to yet of the names of the officers or their conditions but as you can see—" the reporter was cut off by the doorbell. Anna bolted across the living room and the foyer and pulled open the front door to see Detective Baker standing there. She started to say something but Anna held up a hand.
"If you're here about the shooting at the Bitterman Projects, the next words out of your mouth better be that my uncle is fine," Anna told her.
"Your uncle is fine," Baker parroted back, "but I do need to speak with your grandfather." Anna surveyed the detective and instantly saw there was something the blonde detective wasn't telling her. She also knew instantly that the detective wouldn't tell her without prodding and with her entire family there, she didn't have the time to prod her. So Anna called her grandfather over.
"Go back to the table, I'll let you know, I promise," Frank said. Anna sighed but went back to the dining table. She knew he wouldn't tell her unless it was family related. If it wasn't, then she'd have to learn it from the news and she really didn't want to hear it that way. Everyone stared at her but she shrugged and took her seat.
"What's going on?" Sean asked curiously.
"Not sure," Anna said. It was a tense couple of minutes listening to the clock tick. Frank walked back into the room as Danny's phone rang. He answered it and Frank waited until he hung up before speaking.
"An officer has been killed. Vincent Cruz. He was gunned down in an ambush, set up in the Bitterman Housing Projects," Frank explained. Anna could see the confused looks on her brothers' and cousin's face and it seemed as though even her mom and Erin weren't having much luck putting the pieces together.
"Vinny is Uncle Jamie's partner. Grampa, those two cops in the video ..." Anna trailed off.
"Yes, Jamie is at the hospital because he was struck in the vest with a bullet," Frank finished.
"Will he be coming back here?" Anna asked.
"We'll see. I'm sorry, I have to go. Danny?"
"Yeah." Danny nodded and he and Frank left. The rest of the family stared at each other.
"What video, Anna?" Jack asked.
"You don't need to know," Anna said.
"Not fair," Sean protested.
"Just trust me okay?" Anna asked. Sean sighed but agreed. Her brothers went to play video games and Anna showed the rest the video.
"That's ..." Erin started. When she watched again, you could see when the first shot had hit Jamie's vest and he went down, then another shot hit Vinny. Jamie flipped over and scrambled to the low wall as the Vinny lay out in the open of the courtyard. The Jamie fired off a few shots back towards where the shots had come from and the screen went to black.
"Why'd it have to be Vinny?" Anna asked. "I mean not that I wanted it to be Uncle Jamie or anyone really, but ..."
"We understand. Better a cop you don't know," Linda answered. They all moved into the living room and turned on the news. As Linda, Erin, and Henry watched the news, Nicky cleared the table and Anna paced the foyer hoping Jamie would show up.
It didn't matter how long Anna paced or how patient she was, Jamie didn't show up at the house. Her grandpa held a press conference at one point, but it did little to make Anna feel better. She still worried about her uncle and his state of mind. She didn't see him until Vinny's funeral a few days later. He didn't seem very talkative but he didn't push them away. By Friday, with the attempted assignation of either the mayor or Frank, the news wasn't very clear which was the target; Anna knew her family needed a break. It would just take a lot of convincing. The first thing she had to do was find a place and time for them to get away to. Then it would take convincing her parents before the rest of her family. She thought long and hard then called her cousin.
"Hello?" Sofie answered.
"How's my favorite cousin?" Anna asked.
"Don't let Nicky hear you say that."
"Sof."
"Not bad. What's going on?"
"Your mom, uh, you guys rent out your place in Quogue, right?"
"Every summer. I'll ask again, what's going on?"
"It's been one hell of a year," Anna explained. Sofie prodded and Anna told her about the last nine months. Everything from the fire to Sean's accident to Jamie's shooting to Danny being framed to the incident and finally Vinny's death.
"Whoa! That does sound like a hell of a year. I'll talk to Mom, see what we can do."
"Thank you." When Sofie called back, she told Anna they had two weeks, July or August. Anna said she'd talk to her mom and get back to her. After school and baseball practice, Anna sat down with her mom. "Mama, it's been a tough year, wouldn't you say?"
"I guess so."
"So I was thinking that one of the best ways to recover from the bad things and basically reboot is ... Well a week of vacay could do a world of good. God knows this family could use it."
"Could we really afford it?" Linda asked more to herself.
"Could we afford not to?" Anna asked. "After everything this family's been through this year? Anyway money wise, Aunt Wendy's got that place up in Quogue and according to Sofie it's up for rent this summer, and they have two weeks free, July or August. We could go there and enjoy a week to recharge and enjoy time together," Anna said. "Maybe even the whole family could go. It's got great fishing, a boat, beach, and it'd be great, Mom. Come on, you know as a nurse that sometimes the best prescription is rest and relaxation."
"The house only has three bedrooms."
"Oh ..." Anna bit her lip and thought it over.
"Maybe there's another house on the street that's for rent at the same time. Let me talk it over with your dad. And you're right, I think this family could use a break."
"Okay," Anna agreed. She didn't hear anything about it until Sunday. After a brief discussion of God being able to hear but having to listen close for his answer, Linda brought up their vacation plans confirming they were indeed taking Wendy's house in Quogue. Then she did exactly what Anna hoped she would. Linda invited the rest of the family. It took some convincing but everyone was on board. Before they could take their vacation however, they had to get through the end of the school year.
"How's your uncle?" Derrek asked Monday morning before school.
"Why?" Anna asked confused. She spun the lock on her locker then opened it at the click.
"The papers released his partner's and his names."
"About the shooting?" Derrek nodded. "He's dealing. I'm not sure he's dealing well, seems angry, par for the course though."
"And you? I saw your grandfather's speech."
"Vinny was family. They may have only worked together for nine months but he was close to Uncle Jamie. I only really knew Vinny for two months but he was always real nice. It hurts but I don't figure I got the right to be that upset by it."
"You knew him well?"
"Met him a couple times. He was really funny, great sort of guy, but I didn't really know him. Different world."
"Doesn't make it hurt any less."
"No. We need to get to class though."
"Okay, just be there for your uncle. I know you think as a kid there isn't much you can do for him but sometimes kids are easier to talk to and have a different outlook than most adults."
"Thanks, Derrek," Anna said. He nodded and they walked off.
The month slowly drew to a close and with it, like every year, came graduation. This year was slightly different as it would be Jim's graduation. When Anna realized that she would have to face the following year without him, for a moment, it scared her and she wasn't sure why. Jim was just a friend, nothing more, but it felt weird so she talked to Derrek about it. "Putting aside what I think about you and Jim, do you think it's possible because you've never faced high school without him?" Derrek asked.
"I didn't meet him until March," Anna said.
"Six months, then you lost your uncle and Jim became a lifeline in the storm. Giving him up has to be hard. To be honest, you're not really giving him up with all that technology has to offer; these days it's impossible to fall out of touch with someone."
"Yeah, it's just weird. Don't get me wrong, I know you're going to be here and that helps but—"
"He's Jim. I get it. Krista's not going to be here next year either. She's a senior too."
That one small statement hit Anna in the gut. She was worried about herself and only herself and it wasn't fair to the rest of her friends. "I'm sorry, I'm being selfish again." Anna stared down at her tray in front of her.
"It's cool, I get it." He really didn't sound angry. In fact he seemed to really understand.
"Get what?" Jim asked as Anna and Derrek reached the baseball table from the lunch line.
"Nothing important," Derrek answered.
"If you say so," Jim said. He stared at Derrek for a moment then turned to look at his best friend. "Anna, are you coming to my graduation?"
"It's on Sunday?" Anna asked.
"Yeah, but I'm sure your family will understand."
"I'll ask, but don't count on it," Anna told him.
"Take what I can get," Jim answered, grinning broadly. "My party is Monday at four. No school, no work, come to that at least."
"I'll do my best." Anna grinned as she slid into her seat and the subject was changed.
Two days later Anna sat down beside Jim in the courtyard as they ate lunch. "You talked to your parents?" he asked not taking his eyes off Derrek and Dave playing catch.
"I talked at my parents. Whether or not I made my case is unclear. Sometimes my dad is really hard to read. They didn't say anything either."
"Graduation is a couple weeks away. They will."
"Whether I like the answer or not." Anna shrugged. There was no reason for her parents to say no and it wouldn't be the first time someone missed Sunday dinner. It wouldn't even be the first time she did it.
Jim was right. They eventually came up with an answer but this time Anna was pleased by it. "Okay, you can go," Linda said.
"Go where?" Anna asked confused.
"To Jim's graduation, but—"
"Thank you, Mommy!" Anna squealed, rushing to hug her mom.
Linda accepting the hug, smiling. "But," she insisted, "you have to be back at your grandfather's for dinner right after."
"I will, I promise."
That's how Anna found herself in the gym of her school on a Sunday afternoon. She sat a few rows up from the floor by herself until Derrek sat down next to her with Krista's parents. "Hey," Anna said, smiling at him.
"Hey," Derrek answered. "Can you believe that will be us next year?" Derrek motioned to the gym floor.
"No. It feels like just yesterday we were scared little seventh graders looking up at this place with trepidation."
"Ugh, Anna, I'm done with school, please stop using vocab words." Derrek groaned dramatically.
"Fine, how's this one? Please don't dump me next year."
"I'll accept that one. We've been friends since third grade, Anna. Third grade. If I haven't dumped you yet, why would I now?"
"Because you're not overshadowed by everyone else on the team and you're the big man on campus."
"And you'll always been my smart and sassy friend. I'm never going to dump you, unless it's for Krista and she'd never do that either." Derrek gave her hand a gentle squeeze then turned his attention to the floor for the ceremony. Anna followed his example paying more attention to the ceremony. It took just over an hour before the ceremony drew to a close and when it did, the graduates filed out and the families followed. Anna found Jim talking to Jake and his sister.
"Anna," Jim smiled, "you remember my brother, Jake, and my sister."
Anna watched him for a few moments then Jim's sister spoke up, "Carol," she introduced herself.
"Yes, we've met. Congrats, Jim," Anna said.
"Thanks. When my parents get here, we're going to dinner. Come with us?" Jim asked, looking like a puppy dog begging for a treat.
"Can't, I'm actually supposed to be at dinner right now," Anna answered.
"You have to go?" Now he looked like a kicked puppy.
"It was the only way I was allowed to come. I'm sorry." She pouted as well.
"It's okay," he sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Later." She gave him a quick hug then rushed off to her car. It took a while to get out of the parking lot but once she got to the edge of Staten Island and headed over the bridge to Brooklyn, the traffic lightened up and it took no time at all to get to Bay Ridge. She pulled into the driveway and saw everyone was already there. Once inside the family was already having dinner. Anna slipped into her chair between Jamie and Henry.
"You're late," Danny said.
She bit down on the irritation his words and lack of compassion brought up before answering. "The condition was back here right after graduation. I left the school after graduation but there was traffic and it took a while to get back here. I apologize for not being here sooner but it was out of my control unless I left sooner." Anna began to pile meat on her plate.
"You're here, that's what's important," Jamie said.
"Thanks. Pass the potatoes," Anna said.
"So how was it?" Sean asked.
"It was graduation. Boring speeches, long processional. You've been one graduation, you've been to them all," Anna answered as Jamie handed over the potatoes.
"And Jim?" Jamie asked.
"That's why I was there. To see him and talk to him." Anna tried not to roll her eyes. She put the potatoes down and looked over the table for what else she wanted.
"Was he happy to see you?" Nicky asked.
Anna's eyes landed on the corn and for once it looked so good. "Yeah, he's my best friend. Why wouldn't he be? Pass the corn. He asked to me to dinner with his family."
"Must have been hard to turn him down," Jamie prodded, taking the corn from Nicky and setting it down where Anna had put the roasted potatoes after passing those back to Erin.
"I don't know. Wasn't really a big deal. Besides dinner with his family, his siblings aren't too bad, but do I really want to meet the parents when we aren't even dating? Isn't that a little weird?"
"Your dad met my parents before we dated," Linda said.
"That's because he was friends with Uncle Jimmy," Anna answered, digging into her dinner.
"There's nothing wrong with getting to know your best friend's parents," Nicky said.
"Unless it leads to them jumping on the bandwagon."
"What bandwagon?" Danny asked.
"Uh, nothing," Anna said, shoveling more food into her mouth.
"Uh-uh, out with it." Danny shook his head.
"It's nothing, just a stupid idea most of my friends have."
"And what is that?" Danny pushed.
"Does it really matter if it's just an idea? One neither Jim nor I believe."
"You mean that most of your friends think you and Jim are perfect together?" Jack asked.
"And where'd you hear that?" Anna glared.
"Tyler. Overheard it from his sister," Jack answered.
"Just because he heard it, doesn't mean you have to say it, especially in front of the family."
"So it's true?" Henry asked.
"People talk, don't mean nothing," Anna said. She tucked back into her dinner avoiding everyone's eyes.
"It's just your friends that think this?" Jamie asked.
"My brothers, his brother, you." Anna gave him a look but he only smiled. "I ... Like I said, it's not something I believe. Can we talk about something else so I can eat?"
"If you had been here on time, you wouldn't have that problem," Danny said.
"Danny," Linda chided. Anna rolled her eyes but thankfully the subject changed and as she finished her dinner they started on dessert.