Chapter 24
“I hear you had some excitement last week.”
Jay waited until the waitress set down the beers they’d ordered before continuing. “Clarence told me what happened. I’m glad no one was seriously hurt.”
Tino met Jay’s gaze as he sipped his beer. “Yeah, a few bumps and bruises, but no real damage done. We lucked out because the police caught the kid who had stolen Natalie’s purse and briefcase right away.”
Jay’s grip on his beer tightened until his knuckles turned white. “I hope you changed her locks, anyway, just to be safe.”
“Yep, first thing. I figured she’d sleep better even though the cops were pretty sure they grabbed him before he’d had time to do anything with her personal information.”
Staring down at the table, Tino thought about the three kids who had attacked them. “From what the cops said, the guy who stole her purse and one of his buddies will most likely do hard time, because both already have records. Only eighteen years old, and the dumbasses have already managed to screw up their lives big-time. On the other hand, it was a first offense for the third one, and he’s still a juvenile. Not sure what that will mean for him.”
Jay leaned back in the booth. “What do you want to happen to him?”
That was one of the questions that had kept Tino up the last couple of nights. “I want him to have a chance to change the path he’s on. If that doesn’t happen, eventually he’ll end up in the cell right next to his two friends.”
Jay smiled as if something in Tino’s answer had pleased him. “You and I both know nothing is likely to change the trajectory for kids like him, not unless someone steps up to convince them that there is another way.”
“Yeah.” And the weight of that knowledge had settled right on Tino’s shoulders.
Maybe Jay was feeling some of that weight, too. “So, providing it’s not already too late for him, what are you willing to do about it? And is it only this one kid you want to save or do you want to do more than that?”
That was another question Tino had been contemplating. “I want to do something for kids like him, although right now I have no idea what that might be. Our basketball team is a good start for the younger kids, though. I really believe we’ve got a good chance to do something positive with them.”
It was time to share some good news. “On that subject, there’s a reason I asked you to meet me today. I had a long talk with my family this week, and we want to sponsor the team in the memory of our father, Joe Lukash. Back in the day, he and Marlene stepped up to turn things around for the three of us. We want to do the same for these kids. We’ve got you covered for equipment, dues, shoes, whatever you need. Come up with a dollar amount, and I’ll write the check.”
“Holy shit!” The former Seal looked like Santa had just dumped a shitload of presents under his own personal Christmas tree. “For real?”
Tino grinned. “For real. But there’s a price.”
“Anything, man.”
“Like I said, I want to do something for the older kids, too. Not sure what, but something. Intramural sports might be a good place to start, especially if we can recruit some other local vets to help coach them. Maybe if these kids get to know the men and women who have served their country, it might inspire them to reach for more. At the very least, that they deserve a chance to make something of themselves.”
“Like you and your brothers did.”
Tino nodded. “You, too, I’m guessing.”
Jay stared at some point on the far wall of the bar before finally answering. “Yeah, me, too.”
“One of these days, you’ll have to tell me something about your own background. All I know right now is that you were a Seal.” He offered Jay a sly smile. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten your promise to tell me about the lady in your past.”
Holding up his half-empty beer, Jay said, “I haven’t forgotten, but I’m not a cheap date. One drink isn’t nearly enough to make me go all chatty on you.”
“I never thought it was.” Tino checked the time. “Unfortunately, I can’t stay and ply you with liquor today, but let’s set aside time to brainstorm ideas about how to get the ball rolling about some kid programs soon. I’ve got someplace I need to be tonight, and I have another stop to make on the way.”
“Sounds serious, man.”
“Serious as death.” Because if things didn’t go as planned, the disappointment might just kill him.
Jay toyed with the cardboard coaster that had come with his beer. “I’m guessing it has something to do with Natalie Kennigan.”
Never let it be said that the man wasn’t observant. “Yeah, it does.”
Jay reached across the table to clink his beer bottle against Tino’s. “Well, Soldier Boy, I will keep my fingers crossed that your mission is successful.”
“Thanks, Squid. That means a lot.”
