The S.I.U. 9:45 a.m. ‘Excuse me’…the woman asks as she places her briefcase on top of Harvey’s desk…Harvey glances up at the woman and smiles, ‘Hi…can I help you?’. The woman looks down at Harvey and returns the smile…’Hi…I’m looking for Captain Nash Bridges…I was told that he worked here’. Harvey stands up and carefully looks at her…’Forgive me for asking, but who are you and what do want with Captain Bridges?’ The woman, who is dressed in a navy blue pant suit, her red curly hair wrapped in a bun at the back of her head, gazes sternly at Harvey and replies ‘I’m here on official business…(she hands him her card)…when Captain Bridges comes in, I’d like for him to call me as soon as possible’. Harvey looks at the card…’Grace Trillo…(he looks at her)…well Grace, as soon as he comes in, I’ll give him the message’. Grace glares at him, turns and walks out of the SIU as Harvey grins and watches her. The Cuda… Joe is rambling on about what he should get Inger for Christmas…’So what’s it gonna be Nashman…should I get her stuff for the kitchen, the nightwear that we had seen at that little shop on Folsom or should I just give her the cash and let her get what she really wants’. He glances over at Nash, who is staring at the road in front of him…’Uh, Nashman…(he pauses)…Hello?’ Nash turns to look at Joe…’What’d ya say, Joe?’ Joe chuckles…’I knew it…you weren’t listening to a word I said…what the hell is wrong with you today? And don’t tell me that it’s nothing, cause I know that THIS is something’. Nash looks at Joe with confusion on his face…’What? This is not something’. Joe comically replies ‘Yes it is…allow me to recap the morning for you…you put salt in your coffee, thinking it was sugar…then you spilt it all over your shirt and had to change, which is why we’re late…then you walked out of the apartment WITHOUT the Cuda keys…I always thought you wore those around your neck on a gold chain’. Nash quickly throws Joe a glare and grins…’Today, of all days, you decide to be observant?’ Joe laughs…’C’mon Nashman, talk to me…I know something’s up’. They pull into the SIU parking lot and, as if being pulled by a mysterious force, the Cuda makes its way to Nash’s spot. They exit the Cuda and begin to walk up the ramp that leads to the doors of the SIU. Joe glances at Nash as they continue to walk through the SIU…’Well, what is it?’ As Nash is about to tell him, Harvey walks over to them…’Hey Nash…some woman was in here looking for ya…she gave me this (he hands him her card) and told me that you need to call her as soon as possible’. Nash takes the card and stares at it…Joe carefully leans in to grab a peek…’Grace Trillo? Who the hell is she?’ Nash mutters ‘No one’ and walks upstairs to his desk. Harvey and Joe look at each other…’Joey, what’s going on?’ Joe watches his best friend disappear up the stairs as a feeling of helplessness washes over him, ’I don’t know, Harv…and I have a feeling that this is something that I, or anyone, can’t help him with’ and the men walk to their desks and try to muddle through the paperwork that awaits them. Nash sits at his desk, signing overtime sheets, requisition forms and reports when his mind begins to drift…he puts his pen down, reaches into his pocket and pulls out the card that Harvey had given him. He taps it against his thumb…does he want to find out what lies ahead of him or does he tear the card in half and move on with his life. He puts the card on his desk, picks up the phone and dials the number…’Hello, this is Grace’. Nash is somewhat startled and sits up straight…’Uh, hello…this is Nash Bridges…I received a message that you were looking to speak to me’. ‘Yes, I do…I have some free time right now, how bout I come down to the SIU’. Nash thinks for a moment… ’Uh, why don’t we meet at the coffee shop on the Square, say in a half hour?’ Grace glances at her watch ‘Sounds good…how will I know you?’ Nash grins ‘Don’t worry, I’ll know you when I see you…see ya in 30’ and he hangs up. Joe is seated at his desk, still trying to figure out what to get Inger for Christmas. ‘Hey Harvey, what should I get Inger this year…should I get her the kitchen appliances, nightwear or cash’. Harvey chuckles, gets up and walks over to Joe’s desk and sits on the edge. ‘Well, let’s see…the kitchen stuff is out cause that’s really not for HER…the nightwear is out cause that’s really for YOU…so I guess you’re down to cash’. Joe glances up at Harvey ‘You’re not helping me Harv’. Harvey smiles ‘Look, why don’t you get Inger a gift certificate for a day of beauty and pampering, ya know…maybe even make it a mother, daughter thing…they get manicures, pedicures, get their hair done…then they can have lunch’. Joe looks at Harvey in confusion, ‘How do you know about stuff like that?’ Harvey glares at Joe, ‘What? I don’t know…isn’t that what women like?’ Joe chuckles and stands up ‘Harvey, you’re a genius!’ and he kisses Harvey’s cheek. Harvey makes a face and wipes his cheek…as Joe is about to leave to purchase his gift, he sees Nash coming toward him…’Hey Nash, Harvey had a great idea for a gift for Inger’. Nash keeps on walking and yells back ‘Not now Joe…I’m on my way to a meeting…don’t sink the barge’ and he rushes out. Joe and Harvey look at each other, ‘This is ridiculous…I’ll be back Harv’. Harvey curiously glances at Joe, ‘You’re gonna follow him, aren’t ya?’ Joe puts his index finger to his lips ‘Shhh’ and he whispers ‘Why don’t you just take out an ad in the Chronicle, Leek’ and he rushes out the door to his car. Grace sits at a table and orders a cappucino…as the waiter walks away, she sees a well dressed man walk through the doors…he casually glances around the shop and shoots his view over in her direction. Nash walks over to her and grins…’You must be Grace Trillo’. Grace looks up at him and smiles…’It’s the suit, right? I thought it was a little too…’ Nash chuckles ‘Professional?’ Grace giggles…’Yeah…and you must be Captain Nash Bridges’. Nash smiles, ‘Yes’, and he pulls out a chair and sits down. The waiter brings over the cappucino…’Can I get you anything, sir?’ Nash looks up ‘Uh, coffee…black…thanks’. The waiter walks away and Nash looks at Grace…’So, what’s so important, Grace…the department of Child Services have a case that the SIU is about to have handed to us, and you’re just givin’ me a heads up, right?’ Grace takes a sip of her cappucino, places the cup on the table and leans forward, with her arms crossed on top…’Captain Bridges, I’m here on official business…(she reaches into her briefcase and pulls out some papers)…do you remember a (she glances at the top page and looks up at Nash) Whitney Thomas?’ Nash has a quick flashback of the time that he and Whitney had spent together…he smiles and then has a feeling of sadness wash over him…he looks at Grace ‘Yes…(he takes a deep breath, exhales and clears his throat)…yes I do…why?’ Grace holds the papers in her hand and continues…’While in Montana, Miss Thomas was involved in a very serious car accident…’ Nash’s face becomes somewhat disfigured as shock and a sick feeling wells up in his stomach…this feeling was 10 times worse than that feeling he usually gets when Joe tells him about his get-rich-quick schemes. Grace looks at him as her eyes become compassionate…’I’m sorry to have to be the one to do this, but the boy just arrived in San Francisco from Montana a few days ago…there was a lot of paperwork to complete before…’ Nash interrupts her once again, only this time he’s a bit more curious and cautious about this visit…’Excuse me, Miss Trillo…but what the hell are you talking about? And what boy?’ Grace continues…’Well, Miss Thomas didn’t survive the accident…and the boy is her son, Captain…(she hands him the papers and he takes them eagerly)…she states in her will that you are the father of her 4 year old son, Nicolas’. Nash places his hand over his mouth as he reads Whitney’s will and other legal documents…’I am very sorry, Captain…but you are the only one that she has deemed legal guardian…now, if you cannot take care of the boy, we can start the adoption process’. Nash looks up from the papers, ‘No…that won’t be necessary…where is he now?’ ‘He’s in the custody of Child Services, but once you come down to my office and sign the necessary papers, you can take him home’. All Nash can do is stare at the papers in front of him and try to contemplate what was just discussed. He sits silent as his mind wonders, ‘What the hell is happening? I feel like I’m in a terrible nightmare...will someone wake me up’. ‘Captain Bridges?’ Grace tries to break Nash from his stare…just then, the waiter walks over and places his coffee in front of him…as he places a spoon down on the table, it softly clangs against the cup and causes Nash to snap out of his stupor. ‘Captain, I know that all of this is a very big shock to you, and I understand if you need some time to come to terms with all of this…(she stands up and looks at him) so I’ll give you a few days and when you’re ready, just give me a call…but I can only allow 2 days, and after that Nicolas will be placed in a foster home…’ Nash looks up at Grace…she looks at him as her eyes fill with sympathy, ‘I am sorry, Captain’ and she walks out of the coffee shop, leaving Nash still seated in his chair and unable to speak…as he continues to stare at Whitney’s will, his eyes begin to fill up…he sniffles as a tear escapes and rolls down his cheek…he quickly stands up, pays the check and walks out. As he sits in the Cuda he looks up to the heavens and mutters ‘My God, Whitney…why didn’t you ever tell me this before’ and he begins to cry. Back at the SIU, Joe walks in and Harvey rushes over to him as Joe is making his way to his desk…’Well, where did Nash go? Who was he meeting?’ Joe snaps ‘I don’t know, Harvey…I blew a tire and I lost him. I guess we’ll just have to let Nash tell us when he’s ready…hopefully it won’t be too late’. Harvey nods his head and as he is about to walk back to his desk, he glances out the window and notices Nash pulling up…’Hey Joey’ and he points to the window… Joe looks out and sees Nash walking up the ramp…’Ok Harv, act like everything’s cool…’ Harvey quickly replies ‘You got it’. Nash walks in and approaches Joe, who looks up at him with a smile…’Nashman…what’s up?’ Nash looks at him, sunglasses still on…’Can I talk to you…upstairs?’ Joe knows that this is something big and doesn’t hesitate…’Sure’, and they walk up to Nash’s desk together. Nash walks behind his desk, pulls out his chair and sits down…Joe grabs a chair from the back table, swings it around and seats himself. Nash looks at him…’I’m sorry if I’ve been stand-offish lately…it’s just that I’ve been thinking a lot about Nick…and some other things…(he takes a deep breath)…I guess you know, by now, that I had a meeting with Grace Trillo, from Child Services…’ Joe looks at him ‘Umm…yeah…but what did she want with YOU?’. Nash smiles and continues, ‘Remember Whitney?’ Joe grins ‘Dr. Hartman’s Whitney...yeah, I remember her, but what’s that got to do with your meeting?’ Nash takes a small breath and exhales, ‘Grace told me that Whitney was killed in an accident in Montana’. Joe’s face takes on a look of shock, ‘Oh man, I’m sorry…’ Nash nods his head…’Thanks…but there’s more…Grace told me that Whitney had a will, and in that will she left me something…’ Joe smiles and becomes a little excited, ‘What’d she leave ya…some kind of mysterious jewel from Madagascar? Money? Well, what is it?’ Nash glances at Joe, ‘She left me a child’. Joe looks on in confusion, ‘What child?’ Nash looks down at his desk and then up at Joe, ‘My child’. Joe’s face takes on a look of shock as he gazes at his best friend...’Whoa...well, what are ya gonna do?’ Nash looks down at his desk for a few seconds as he thinks...he takes a deep breath and then looks up at Joe with sadness in his eyes...’I don’t know’. |
| The Gift By: Tina Celestial Princess |