Page 26 of Doozer

My eyes darted to the ground.

“Look at me, Trouble.” Taxi said, firmly. “You are more than capable of making this shot, but you were spun up. Your technique is improving, but you’re still inside your head.”

“I know,” I said.

“Acknowledging your weaknesses isn’t enough. Controlling your breathing isn’t enough either. You have to be able to control your emotions in the field or you are going to miss your target, or worse...”

“Oncoming enemy forces,” I said.

“They’re always out there, and you’ll never see them coming unless your head is on a swivel at all times. You got that?”

“Roger,” I replied.

“Good. Let’s go get some chow. Keeping the president safe has made me hungry for lasagna,” Taxi said, pointing to the plush cat, who’s suction cup paws reached out toward us.

“I can’t,” I replied. “There’s a big club party at the Sanctuary today and I kinda have to be there.”

“Oh, that’s right. Cricket invited me but I’m packing up the last of my things and turning the keys over to the landlord this afternoon so I’m afraid I’ll have to miss the festivities.”

“That’s too bad. It’s gonna be a packed house,” I said, before asking, “What does Garfunkle the cat have to do with eating lasagna?” causing Taxi to stare at me blankly.

“Garfunkleis a folk singer.” Taxi pointed to the stuffed animal in the distance. “That beloved cat’s name is Garfield.He hates Mondays and loves lasagna.How do you not know this?

I shrugged.

“What kind of childhood did you have?” he asked in disbelief.

“Can’t tell ya’,” I replied.

“I’d hoped by now, you could tell me anything, Trouble,” Taxi said, softly.

I chuckled nervously. “No, I mean, I can’t tell you, because I never had one.”

Taxi studied me silently, before saying, “Doctor Fenton is going to have a field day with you,” before turning and heading out of the brush.

“Who’s Doctor Fenton?” I asked, walking almost double-time in order to keep up with Taxi’s pace, my drag bag feeling at least five pounds heavier than it did this morning.

“She’s the chief psychologist at Quantico. She’s the one that will oversee your psych eval.”

“IfI agree to go,” I said, already running out of breath.

“You’ll also have to beef up your cardio,” Taxi said.

“IfI agree to go,” I repeated.

Taxi spun around and stopped dead in his tracks, causing me to run into him, damn near bouncing off his chest.

“I get on a plane for Virginia in two days, Trouble. You need to decide right now if you’re going to be on the seat next to me or not.”

“I told you not to pressure me.”

“Pressure you? I’ve been nothing but patient with you, but we’re out of time.”

“How can I leave Portland now? How could I even think about leaving the club after all they’ve done for me, and after everything that’s gone down over the past year?”

“You mean, how could you leave Doozer?” Taxi replied.

My eyes darted to the ground, but Taxi’s stern, but caring voice pulled my focus back to him.

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