It was another typical day for the Thompson family. Ron left for work around 4:00 AM as he always did. Sheila got Gary and Julie up and off to school and then proceeded to clean the house. It seemed she was always cleaning up after someone else besides herself. She just wished the family would help her out from time to time with the chores. Ron was always out on assignment or responding to a call and the kid's first excuse everytime was school work. Sheila just sighed and went on about her business.
Sheila's day was uneventful as always, and the kids more or less had a usual day at school. Ron, on the other hand, was called into the Chief's office shortly before lunch.
"Thompson! Hope you're not hungry 'cause I need about an hour or so of your time." Ron shook his head.
"Go ahead Chief, I just had some coffee anyways, I should be fine." They both chuckled about how well they fit into the typical cop with coffee and doughnut scenario, but Chief's face still remained fairly grim. "No, but seriously, what's up Chief," Ron asked.
"Well, we've had a rash of disappearances in the suburbs and your the best beat cop we've got. I want you to take the next week or so and see what is going on out there and bring us back some information. We need to know what it is we're dealing with before someone calls in the National Guard. All we need is some big national stink on our hands. Then everyone will really say we do nothing but drink coffee and eat doughnuts all day. You got what Im saying Thompson? We need to squash this now." Ron could detect that Chief wasn't telling him all the facts, but he had been on the force long enough to know that when Chief put you on special assignment, it was an A'ta-Boy and you should just take it without complaint.
"I will do it Chief, just tell me what I need to do."
The Chief nods. "Right, well, it wasn't up for discussion anyways, but I need you to report to Bldg. 347 downtown for a special briefing tonight around 1800 and be ready to jump right in, first thing tomorrow morning. Otherwise, go ahead and take the rest of the day off and I better see you in the morning or you might as well turn in your badge." Now Ron knew it was serious. He had told Chief on occassion how he was thinking of leaving the force because he is getting older and has a little trouble keeping up with some of the younger bad guys out there, especially when they run, but he hadn't given retirement THAT much thought.
"You can count on me Chief."
"Good, well, like I said, get out of my office and get out of my building then." With that, Ron stood, nodded at the Chief and left the building for the day. Ron would normally ride the bus down to the Cafe after work for a double espresso and the daily paper, but since it was still early, he decided to head to the deli for a sandwhich.
It wasn't a long walk, only about 4 blocks, but by the time Ron reached the deli he was breathing heavy. He couldn't remember the last time he had ever been so out of shape. Ron is only 40 years old, so it isn't like he's ancient or anything. He rubs his knees and just wishes he could feel like he did when he first joined the force, all full of life and spunk. Then again, he almost got himself and his partner killed during his rookie years, so maybe experience and wisdom does come with age. But, still at a price nonetheless.
Ron got his usual pastrami on rye and decided to head to the park to enjoy his sandwhich. On his way there, he was almost bowled over by a lanky teen on a bicycle. "Hey, watch it punk."
"Bite me ole man." The teen was out of sight before Ron could holler any more explatives. Ron didn't consider himself that old. Though, the boy was almost young enough to be his son. Gary had recently turned 15 and was a bundle of raging hormones. It was all Ron could do to keep the boy focused on his schoolwork. Though, Ron vaquely remembered himself at that age and just figured that Gary would soon grow out of it anyways and everything would be fine. With this final thought, Ron had arrived at the park.
It was a lovely autumn day and the park was booming with visitors on their afternoon lunch breaks. Ron was able to find a bench by the fountain and enjoyed his sandwhich. Though, while eating lunch, he couldn't help but notice all the young couples, madly in love, entwined in each other's arms, going this way and that. It made him long for when he and Sheila first got married.
Ron remembers it like it was yesterday. They met in college, Ron a senior, Sheila a sophmore. Ron was finishing his degree in Criminal Justice while Sheila was working on a degree in Humanitarian Studies. Well, needless to say, they spent a lot of time studying one another and eventually Sheila got pregnant. She took a few semester's off and then just stopped going all together, especially once Julie was born. As far as the two were concerned, it was the best addition to their life, but Sheila was still mad at Ron about not being able to finish her degree. Though, now, they live a pretty happy life off of Ron's pay and Sheila seems happy. Ron has noticed recently, nevertheless, that their love life has been stale as of late. He figures it is something he and Sheila will have to discuss, just not tonight because of his briefing at 1800.
Ron decides he should maybe head home and be there when the kids get off school. Also, Sheila has been working pretty hard, so maybe he can help her relieve some of her daily stress. He grins with this thought and starts the walk to the nearest bus stop. Little does he know what Sheila has in store for him, nor what this special assignment is really all about.