NYPD
Blue Fanfiction
Vicki's Fanfic
AFTEREFFECTS
Preamble: This story is a follow up to Johnny Gets His Gold. It picks up after Andy has his conversation with Theo. Feeling a bit nostalgic one rainy afternoon, I popped in a tape of Season 9. After watching Johnny…it made me think of all that Andy had been through. First, Danny goes missing. So Andy and Connie spend the summer looking for him. Then 9/11. Next Andy finds Danny dead and almost falls off the wagon. Andy kills a guy in a shoot out, afterwich, he has to deal with his soon to be new partners father, withwhom he shares a past. Then comes the promotion. That night he has to tell Theo what happened. Within a few days of that Andy will be burying Danny. More than anything, it was the look on Andy’s face at the end of Johnny…that got this rolling. So, here we go. Enjoy.
Previously on NYPD
Blue:
Andy: Daddy was on the news today…because a bad man had to stopped from hurting people.
Theo: What happened?
Andy: Daddy had to shoot the man.
Theo: Did he die?
Andy: That’s not what I wanted to happen…but he did die. I
know that’s scary to think ‘bout. I want you to understand…I did it to save good
peoples lives.
Theo: Will someone shoot you?
Andy: No…no son…no one’s gonna shoot daddy…Daddy will always
be here with you. (Pause) Lookit that boat…pretty neat huh?
Thoe: Neat.
Andy: (Petting Theo’s head) You ok?
Theo nods
yes.
Andy: Ready to head home?
Theo: First can I see that man’s fish?
Andy: Alright…go look at the fish…
Theo: When I grow up I’m gonna be like you daddy…I wanna kill
bad people.
Ooohhh…nice fish…
Andy stares at Theo as he walks away
from him.
Andy: (To himself) Oh Christ…does he think that’s all I do is
kill bad people? That’s all I am to him? Should I talk to him some more and try
and explain better? Shit, what was I thinkin’? (Looking up to the stars) Sylvia…help me? Please? I need you. God… I
wish you were here. I miss you so much. I miss seein’ ya. I miss talkin’ to
ya…(embarrassed) I miss touchin’ you…oh man…It’s times like these I miss you
most of all. If you were here…you’d know the right things to say and do…you
were always so smart and good with these things. I wish I had you here to talk
to. Not just about Theo…but…like…my day…I had to kill someone. I had to take
another mans life in order to save others. Someone’s son, or brother or
whatever is dead at my hand and I had to explain this to Theo…which I think I
did a lousy job of doin’…anyways…I got my First Grade today. You know that’s
somethin’ I been wantin’ for a while now. That’s somethin’ I woulda liked to
shared with you…somethin’ we coulda been happy about together. (Looking
over at Theo) He a great kid Sylvia…so
smart, got your good looks and happy…all of the credit goes to you…you laid the
foundation for him…which I think I just screwed up…I just wish I knew I was
doin’ right by him…I just wish I had someone to talk to…
He hadn’t realizes he was crying until he tasted a salty
tear on his lip. Quickly, he wipes his face and looks to see if anyone noticed.
He sits for another moment, not thinking about anything, just looking out over
the water.
Andy: (Rubbing his
head and letting out a large sigh) Aaahhh
right…enough. I do love you Sylvia…and I miss you somethin’ awful…(picking
up the fishing gear) C’mon Theo…time to head home…to what…another night in front of the TV?
Man: Any time, son.
Andy: (To the nice
man) Thanks…night.
Theo had a case of “Motor Mouth” on
the way home. He told Andy everything he and John did that day. Andy had
thought about stopping to get some ice cream, then decided not to. The last
thing Theo needed tonight was some sugar. As he and Theo enter the apartment,
Andy hears the tail end of a message being left on the answering machine. It
was Connie McDowell.
Connie: …so you can
give me a call when you get this message…my number is
Andy: Hey..
Connie: Hey,
congratulations. I just saw the press conference.
Andy: Yeah…ah, can
you hold on for a minute?
Connie: Sure.
Andy: Theo…put the
gear in the closet and start getting ready for bed.
Theo: K daddy…who’s
on the phone?
Andy: A friend from
work…go on now…(back to Connie) sorry ‘bout that.
Connie: Did I catch
you at a bad time?
Andy: Nah…we just got
in from fishin’
Connie: Fishing?
Andy: (Looking at
Theo in the bedroom) Yeah…its somethin’ we like to do. I wanted to talk to him
‘bout today and all without the distractions of the TV and phone…and ah,…its
just…
Connie: That’s great
(letting out a small laugh) I ah,…I always knew my mom wanted to talk when she
would ask me to help her cook. I think it’s nice you two have something like
that. Ah…anyway…I just wanted to call and say congratulations…
Andy: Yeah…I was
ah…gonna call you and tell you. I didn’t want you to think I was ah…I don’t
know…not tellin you…
Connie: Cool…geezzz,
I’m gonna have to study up…now that I’m being partnered with a First
Grade…pretty cool stuff.
Andy: (Smiling) Yeah
right…I’m sure a lot of this comes from the work we did together…with this Tailfeathers thing and ah…Danny
and all.
Connie: And I’m sure
it’s for all the great work
you’ve done over the years. You’re a good cop Andy…I’ve learned a lot while
workin’ with you…So partner, whadaya say…go out and celebrate sometime soon?
Andy: Aahh, I don’t
know…I’m not one for that sort of thing…
Connie: C’mon…this is
big…this is something good in your life…it needs to be celebrated.
Andy: With the
funeral comin’ up…it’s just not a good time.
Connie: How ‘bout
tonight?
Andy: Can’t…I’m just getting Theo down for the night.
Connie: Well…did you
eat yet?
Andy: I grabbed a
slice while I was out with Theo…
Connie: How’ bout
this? I was just on my way out to get something to eat…why don’t I grab us both
something and we can eat and quietly celebrate your promotion. Gotta eat right?
Andy takes a second to think this
over.
Andy: Yeah…I guess…it
would be nice to…
Connie: Great, what
do you feel like…Chinese? Italian?
Andy: Pasta for me…
Connie: Great…I’ll
see ya in about an hour or so?
Andy: Yeah…
Connie: Good…see ya
then.
Andy sets to the task of getting
Theo ready for bed. He has decided not to peruse the conversation he had
earlier with Theo. Instead, he asked Theo what he and Aunt Katie had done
together. This lasted through his bath and getting dressed for bed. Andy had to
read him two stories before he settled down and fell asleep. With Theo tucked
in for the night, Andy readied himself for Connie’s arrival. Just as soon as he
finished setting the table, there was a soft and pleasant knock at his door.
Andy: (Opening the
door) Hey…
Connie: Hey (handing
him a bag) Sorry it took so long.
Andy: No problem…Theo
was still a bit wound up…needed two stories tonight before he fell off to
sleep. Told me all about his adventures with his Aunt Katie.
They sit at the table divvying up
the food.
Connie: You guys talk
any more about today?
Andy: Nah…I didn’t
think it wise to talk about that before bedtime.
Connie: Probably a
good choice.
Andy: Yeah…I didn’t
think I needed to scare him or screw him up anymore that I already did.
Connie: (Looking at
him with a bit of a frown) Why would you say that?
Andy: (A little
reluctant to go there) I don’t know how I did with that is all. I’m afraid I
mighta scared him more that explain what happened…or screwed him up makin’ him
think I kill people more that help them.
Connie: What’d you
tell him?
Andy relays the conversation in
full.
Andy:…then he says he
wants to be like me when he grows up and kill bad people.
Connie: (Thinking
while she chews) Sounds to me like kid talk for wanting to be a cop…like his
dad. I mean what did you want him to say…yes daddy, I fully understand the
situation?
Andy: No…I just don’t
want him to think I go around killin’ people all day. Or any cop for that
matter. I want him to know we help people too…its important he knows we…I do
good.
Connie: (Putting down
her fork) I’m sure he does Andy. I always thought of kids as funny little
people…shame they have to grow up…They say what’s on their minds, no matter
what, then they move on to the next thing. How was he after you talked? Later?
Did he seem like something was bothering him?
Andy: No…as a matter
of fact…I couldn’t get him to shut up.
Connie: Is that
unusual for him?
Andy: (Thinking while
he chews) No, not really…especially since it was such an unusual day for him
with John pickin’ him up and spendin’ the last few days with Aunt Katie and
all.
Connie: There you
go…shows you he’s thinking more about being with John and Katie than you
killing people. Seems to me he feels safe and is a happy kid…your doing a good
job raising him.
Andy: Sometimes, I
worry I’m not doin’ the right things for him. (To himself:whoa, where’d that come from?)
Connie: I’m sure that
a fairly common worry among parents…especially single parents. You can’t live
life worrying all the time…you’ll miss too much if you do. You do the best you
can with what’s been dealt to you. It’s not like kids come with instruction
manuals, right?
Andy: (Smiling)
Yeah…right.
At this moment, Andy cannot get over
how incredible comfortable this feels. There was absolutely no uneasiness in
having this conversation with Connie. Unknown to him and to her as well, she
was quietly calming any anxiety he might have had. It was nice to have some
fresh eyes on the situation. It felt nice to have someone to talk to, it felt good.
Most importantly, he felt good.
Connie: On the
whole…he seemed ok?
Andy: Yeah…he did.
What weighed heavy on me was when he asked if someone would shoot me.
Connie: I’m sure it
would.
Andy: That bein’ part
of my concern as to where I went wrong…in tellin’ him. The last thing I want is
for him to worry every time I walk out the door…I’m not comin’ back. (A long
pause) That’s what happened to his mother…one morning she’s here givin’ him
breakfast and getting him ready for school…then she’s gone. I don’t ever want
to put him through that again.
Andy
begins to push around the pasta on his plate, lost in remembering what a hard
time it was for the both of them. Going hand in hand with his melancholy
feeling, is a feeling of good fortune in finding a friend like Connie. He still
cannot get over how easy it feels to be with her.
Connie: (Breaking the
long silence) Yeah…I can see that. I ah,…I guess I was Theo’s age when I
started to worry ‘bout my dad.
Andy: What’d he do?
Connie: He was a
cop…Chief of Police in Saratogo Springs. I always remembering him reassuring me
that he’d be safe and there was nothing to worry about, but I still did…just me
I guess.
Andy: He retired now?
Connie: No, he passed
a few years ago.
Andy: Sorry…sounds
like you two had a good relationship.
Now it was her turn to be
distracted. She ran her finer around the top of her glass, not quite ready to
open up that part of her past to him. Connie fights the urge to tell him. She
knows this just isn’t the right time. She is keenly aware that Andy needed to
talk, and she was happy to be there for him. She knows what a rough time he’s
been having. It was less than 24 hours since she pulled him out of the bar and
stopped him from drinking. As hard as she could, she pushed her feeling aside
in order to be able to help him. This was his time.
Connie: Yeah…we did…I
mean we had our ups and downs as any kid/parent does. But for the most part…I
guess my point is…if you were a mailman, or a stockbroker, or whatever…kids
worry about their parents. Your just more aware of what he feels considering
what you both have been through…in loosing someone you both loved so
unexpectedly. Tonight, you reassured him that you’d be ok, right?
Andy Yeah…
Connie: Most
times…that’s all they need to hear. If he knows he’s safe…then…he’ll feel safe.
More importantly…if you are open and honest with him…he’ll be open and honest
with you. In that if he needs to express himself about somethin…anything he can
feel safe in turning to you. It’s…I feel anyway, important to have that
foundation in your relationship. You’re doing a good job with him Andy.
Andy: Yeah…I guess
your right. (To himself: This is
incredible…)
Connie: (Smiling)
So…tell me about the press conference?
Andy: (Shrugging his
shoulders) Not much to tell…I was caught off guard with the promotion and all.
I thought it was just gonna be a photo op with the kid. I never expected this.
Connie: (Smiling) I’m
so happy for you…you must be thrilled.
When he looks at her, smiling across
the table at him, he was struck by the fact that when she smiled, so did her
eyes. This reinforced his thoughts he had about her. Her feelings were really
what she said they were. There was nothing false about her. Sometimes, she
didn’t have to say a word to him. He had only to look in her eyes to know what
she was feeling or even thinking.
Andy: (Forcing
himself to concentrate) Well…takin’ my past into consideration…I’d have to say
shocked more than thrilled.
Connie: We all have a
past Andy.
Andy: Yep…some more
that others.
Connie: Well…you’re
not alone in that club. (To herself: oh
shit…where’d that come from…) Pass me the pepper, please?
Andy hands the pepper to Connie,
holding it so she’ll have to look up at him. The smile now gone from her eyes,
replaced by what? Hurt maybe? He releases the hold on the pepper, while forcing
her to look at him. Not only was there something in her eyes, there was
something in her tone with that last comment. He could tell she was holding
back, but didn’t want to press too hard. This was just his way of letting her
know…he knows. Connie on the other hand felt icredrably stupid for saying that
the way she did. It was only because she felt so at ease with him. With one
slip of the tongue, she knew she’d been caught in something. His eyes told her
so. She had seen him give that look to a couple of skells they popped. She had
though to herself the first time she witnessed him do that, she’d never want to
get caught in that gaze. While she peppered her food, she waited for him to press
on. She could feel him staring at her. She was ever so grateful when he leaned
back into his chair and continued to eat.
Connie: (Clearing her
throat and careful of her tone) So…I saw John got his gold shield?
Andy: (To himself: ok…I’ll wait…you cant hide from me forever…)
Yeah…he ah…wants to come work at the 15th…but I think his old man
has other plans for him.
Connie: Oh,
yeah…why’s that?
Andy: Sr. and me
don’t see eye to eye on things. I don’t think he wants his son around me.
Connie: You two know each
other?
Andy: (Putting down
his fork) What’d Medavoy tell ya…I swear to God…he’s worse that an old lady
sometimes.
Connie: Greg didn’t
say a word. It was pretty obvious at the hospital you two knew each other.
Andy wipes his forehead and takes a sip
of water while thinking whether he should go into his past dealings with Clark
Sr. Taking into consideration she held back on him just a few minutes ago. He
wasn’t hurt by her doing so. He knew she’d come around. Then he thought if he
opened up, perhaps she’d do the same. He was willing to take the chance. He
takes another sip of water before speaking.
Andy: (Clearing his
throat) In the few months we’ve been workin’ together, you see how I do things.
By that I mean, I give the perp a chance to tell his or her story…
Connie: Yeah…
Andy: Not exactly by
the book, right?
Connie: Yeah…but you
want to first know you got the right person. Any skell with a single brain cell
would lawyer up if you read them their rights right away…
Andy: Right…that’s
how I work…(leaning up from his seat) 20 some years ago, Clark Sr. and me are
workin’ outta the 2-8. We caught a push-in on an 84-year-old woman…who had her
skull cracked in with the butt of a gun. We catch the guy…who gives me a full
confession…we go to trial…and the DA asked, if when I caught this guy…did I
read him his rights…before I spoke to him…I said yes.
Connie: Knowing you
didn’t…
Andy: Whatever…when Clark Sr. gets on the stand and the DA asks him if I’d given’ the perp his rights when I said I did…
Connie: He didn’t
back you up…ouch…did it get tossed?
Andy: Yeah…I gave him
a hard time about it…even harder when I drank…which was any day that ended in
“Y”…every chance I had…didn’t matter who was around…I’d bust his balls big
time.
Andy takes a long pause, thinking
back on this situation. Remembering that time in his life isn’t one of his
favorite things to do. He’d never been very comfortable opening that door to
anyone. But tonight…he felt safe, almost relieved in doing so. Connie waits for
him to continue. She can see not only how painful it is for him, she can
actually feel the pain coming off of him. In these few months of working
together, things of his past have come up and out. The speech he gave her the
night Danny went missing has stuck in her head. She learned so much about this
man that night. Since they have been partnered together, she has done her best
to invite him into her life as best she can and as much as he would allow. She
has taken things slowly and dealt with situations as they arise. All of this
only served to make her fell like crap for holding back on him earlier. Andy
takes another sip of water before continuing.
Andy: Two months
later, this perp does another push-in on another old lady and she got killed.
So now I got my excuse for getting my load on…which I did…then I went to the
bar lookin’ to fight Clark…he wouldn’t fight. (Reflectively) Lookin’ in the
rear view mirror…I made a mistake pushin’ and pushin’ and getting in his
face…the fact is…he told the truth.
Connie: But if he had
backed you up…that woman wouldn’t have been killed.
Andy: And there
probably isn’t a mornin’ when he wakes up…that isn’t on his mind…knowin’ his
“honesty” got someone killed. Least that’s how I see it. So, now John Jr. wants
to come work in our house…add to that, the kid getting shot on my
watch…ppsshh…the old man rather die than see us work together.
Connie: He can’t
blame you for his son getting shot…
Andy: He as much told
me so tonight…and this morning before I left for the shrinks…
Connie: How’d that
go?
Andy: Swell..you ever
been?
Connie: No…but it
sounded like you’d been there before…
Andy: Yeah…
Connie:
(Cautiously)…for a killing?
Andy: No…well…it’s
been a while between killings.
Connie: Does it get
any easier? To deal with…
Andy: …when you kill
someone? No…I’d would start to worry if it did. I did what I did today to save
others from getting killed…he was gonna kill that kid if I didn’t kill him
first. I’m not gonna loose any sleep over that decision…I know I was right in
doin’ so. But the shrink…they get your head goin’ every which way…
Connie: (Sadly) Must
have been awful for you. When you have no…
Andy: …one to talk to
about it? It is.
That wasn’t what she was going to
say. He said it in hopes she would open up some. He catches her in his
“gottcha” gaze again, and she knows it. She does her best to pull out of it,
still not ready to tell him.
Connie: Helps to know
you can talk to me about that…or anything…right?
Andy: (Waiting and
holding)…yeah…that goes both ways, ya know?
She nods her head in agreement
unable to speak, wishing like all hell he’d break his gaze on her sometime
soon. If he keeps this up, she may have to break down and tell him. Considering
they have been through hell these past few months, is a wonder she hasn’t felt
like this before. This isn’t what she wanted tonight to be like…she just wanted
to be there for him. The phone rings. He breaks his gaze on her. He looks at
his watch as he walks to answer the phone.
Andy: Yeah…
T-Rod: Hey Andy…I
just got the word…congratulations.
Andy: Yeah, thanks
boss.
Connie gets up and begins to clear
the table.
T-Rod: Sorry to be
callin’ so late, its…I know your not one for a lot of hoopla in the squad room.
(T-Rod can hear the clanging of dishes in the background) So, I’ll let you get
back to what you were doin’.
Andy: Yeah…(just as
Connie comes out of the kitchen) I was ah, havin’ a late dinner with a friend.
T-Rod: Ok…see ya in
the morning.
Andy: Yeah, thanks
again.
Connie stands at the sink scraping
the dishes off.
Connie: (To herself) SHIT…I wish he’d stop that…its like he can
see right through me…it’s a little unsettling…to feel…this vulnerable.
Andy joins her at the sink.
Connie: (As she
washes the dishes) Boss throwing in his congrats?
Andy: (As he dries a
dish) Ummhumm…
Connie: That was nice
of him.
Andy: Yeah…
Connie: So…do you
think Clark Jr. will come to the 15th?
Andy: Who knows…I’ll
deal with that…if and when it happens. Right now, I got other things to be
thinkin’ about.
Connie: (Looking over
at him) Like what?
Andy: Like dealin’
with Danny’s funeral for one.
Connie: Sorry…I
should have known…
Andy: Don’t be sorry…
Connie: It’s just…I
know how hard it’s gonna…
She almost drops a dish as she hands
it to him.
Andy: (Frowning) You
ok?
Connie: (Playing it
off) Yeah…slippery hands,
Andy decides to back off making her
talk. It’s almost like getting a skell to go…you can’t push too hard or they
clam up for good. For all the good she has done for him, he would like to be
able to do the same for her. This isn’t the right time or place for her.
Andy: (Clearing his
throat) I ah…may need your help with that…I have a problem with ah…public
speakin’…
Connie: (Smiling as
she looks at him) Sure…anyway I can be of help…you know that…
As she looks at him, she sees he has
soften his look. This makes her feel relaxed and easy. The last thing she wants
is to put a strain on their friendship.
Andy: Yeah…thanks.
Connie: Have you
given any thought as to what you might want to say?
Andy: No, not
exactly. It hurts…sometimes to ah…thinkin’ ‘bout that.
Connie: Yeah…I guess
so.
Andy: My biggest fear
is loosin’ it grave side. I don’t want to be a blubberin’ idiot. But I want to
say somethin’ nice.
Connie: Well…when
you’re ready, just let me know and we’ll see ‘bout getting something together.
Andy: Yeah…(drying
the last dish) I ah…see you brought dessert.
Connie: (Smiling)
Yeah…gotta have something sweet after I eat.
Together, they reach for a
dishtowel. His hand atop of hers. Neither wants to be the first to move away.
They look at each other and see it. One just as vulernable as the other.
Slowly, Andy moves his hand away. Connie can feel a flush come over her face.
She quickly turns and makes for the fridge, getting out the dessert, butter
cookies half-dipped in dark chocolate. She stands with her back to him waiting
for her face to cool off. He stands looking at her from the corner of his eye.
Andy: (Clearing his
throat) You want I should ah…put some coffee on?
Connie: (Still with
her back to him) Yeah…I’ll ah…I’ll just put these on the table.
(Walking to the table
and thinking to herself: what was that?)
Andy: (To himself: what was that?
She waits for him at the table while
he makes the coffee.
Connie: (To herself) Where. The Hell. Did that come from?
Whoa…that was strange…but nice in a way…get that thought outta your head
McDowell…
Andy: (To himself,
looking out the kitchen window) Settle
yourself boy…you’re just feelin’ a little too much right now…its been a long
day…and things are mixed up…settle yourself…
After a few minutes, Andy joins
Connie at the table. Each has had time to get their act together. Andy pours
Connie some coffee, then sits with her.
Andy: (After eating a
cookie) Umm…these are good…where’d you get them?
Connie:
Georgine’s…same place I got dinner.
Andy: (Surprised)
Right around the corner here? How’d you know ‘bout that place?
Connie: When I was in
the 3-6 I found it…good huh?
Andy: Yeah…I like
their food.
Connie: You go there
a lot?
Andy: Not too much
any more. Sylvia and me used to go there all the time, but…
Connie: You haven’t
been back?
Andy: Nah…holds too
many memories…
Connie: You miss her
Andy?
Andy puts down his mug and looks at
Connie. The question threw him for a second, because no one’s ever asked him
before. He rubs his forehead and looks away from Connie. She wants to
know…he’ll tell her.
Andy: (Looking at
Connie) Yeah…I do.
Connie: I’m
sorry…what a dumb thing to ask…
Andy: No…its
ok…really. (Letting out a large sigh) I was missin’ her tonight…earlier…
Andy gets up from the table and
walks over to look out the window. Slightly embarrassed by the emotions he was
having, he stood with his back to Connie looking up at the stars. Connie gets
up and stands by the couch.
Connie: (Very softly)
Andy…I’m sorry for brining this up…it just happened, I didn’t mean to cause you
any pain.
Andy: (Still looking
out the window) Its alright…it…this just caught me off guard.
Connie: Maybe I
should go…
Andy: (Turning to
her) No…please…no…don’t leave me…not yet.
Connie: I never
wanted to hurt you…
Andy: I know…I want
you to stay. I need you to stay…please?
Connie: Sure.
Andy: It’s night’s
like this…I seem to ah…miss her the most.
Andy takes a seat in the overstuffed
chair while Connie sits on the couch.
Andy: Its not one big
thing…it’s a hundred little things that seem to get to me. It’s the
aftereffects…knowin’ you’re comin’ home to an empty apartment… when the day is
over…and you’re all alone…and…you got no one to talk to about…about
anything…your day…the bills…whatever…things you take for granted that will
always be there and…and …suddenly one day, its gone. Christ knows where I’d be
without Theo. (Looking over at Connie) Or you.
Connie: Andy…
Andy: Seriously…your
friendship has been a great source of help for me these past few months. It means a lot to me…not just work wise…but
things like this, tonight…last night…you bein’ there… and here tonight saved
me…from God knows what. Thank you, Connie.
Connie: That’s what
friends are for…as hokey as that sounds.
Andy: No…its not
hokey…I value what we have I’d never want to loose it.
Connie: Same here.
The atmosphere in the apartment had
returned to a relaxed feeling. They sat for a few minutes before getting up and
returning to the table to finish their coffee.
Connie: (Holding up
her mug in a salute) Hey…let’s not forget to celebrate…congratulations
Detective First Grade Andrew Sipowicz.
Andy: (Smiling and
saluting back) Yeah…thanks. I really appreciate this. I really needed this
tonight. I was ah…little reluctant at first…but now I’m glad you’re here.
Thanks.
Connie: The pleasure
is all mine…
Andy: You sure I’m
not wearin’ out my welcome?
Connie: Andy…I
wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be.
They sit in a very comfortable
silence and finish their coffee. As they begin to clean up, Andy tries to think
of a reason to extend their time together.
Andy: (Clearing his
throat) You ah…got a few minutes to go over a few thoughts I have about ah…what
I should say…for Danny?
Connie: Yeah…sure.
They make their way to the living
room and settle on the couch.
Andy: Like I said
before…it hurts sometimes to think about…
Connie: (Very
innocently taking his hand into hers) Just take your time…say what’s in your
heart.
Andy: (Squeezing her
hand) He was a good cop. It made me proud to know him and …and to work with
him. (With a quivering lip) And I’m gonna miss him.
Connie: (Looking over
at him) Go ‘head…your doing great…
Andy: I want to
mention what he meant to all of us…like his loyalty and how brave he was…
Connie: I always
thought he had a good heart…
Andy: Yeah…and his
sense of wrong and right…anyways…I know he’s in a better place…
Connie: …but a part
of him will always be with us…
Andy: (Looking over
at her with a tear rolling down his cheek) Yeah…yeah…how’s that?
Connie: I think
that’s beautiful…I think you said it all…or do you want to say more?
Andy: I think that’s
all I’ll be able to get out…
Connie: Then that’s
enough.
She wipes the tear from his cheek
and continues to hold his hand. She can feel her own tears welling up and
fights to hold them in. He needs her strength right now. They sat for a long
time each lost in their own thoughts about this night. Andy wondering about
that wish he made, Connie thankful he answered the phone.
Connie: Well…
Andy: Yeah, huh?
Connie: I think I’ll
call it a night. What time is it anyway?
Andy: (Looking at his
watch) 1:30.
Connie: (Getting up)
Yeah…6am will be before you know it.
Andy: (Walking her to
the door) Connie…thanks again…for everything.
Connie: Not a
problem, partner…night Andy.
Andy: (Opening the
door for her) Night…be careful goin’ home.
Connie: (Walking down
the hall) Always…
He closed the door and makes his way
to the window. He turns off the light and looks outside. He makes sure she gets
into her car safely. As he watches her taillight fad into the night, he looks
up to the stars and says a silent prayer of thanks. Who knows what the
aftereffects of tonight will bring?