Page 30 of Tony

“Sexual abuse, you think?” she asked.

Simon answered, “Thought about it, but the girl has not indicated anything untoward.”

“Well, something makes her run away,” she said, frustration clear on her face.

“The DSS worker who placed her in the foster home said that the medical exam did not show bruises so physical abuse was ruled out. The mother claims the girl keeps running away to see a boyfriend and was staying out all night, but the fear shown from the girl indicated that something was going on.”

“So what happens now?”

“If Betina won’t talk, then she’ll probably be placed back in her home. Foster care was just temporary anyway and she may have to go spend some time at the Juvenile Detention Center.”

At the thought of ‘juvie’, Sherrie shuddered. Her sister had spent plenty of time at the detention center when picked up for drugs when she was a teenager. The idea of Betina going there was unacceptable to her.

“Well, I’m going to try to find out what’s going on so that doesn’t happen,” she stated emphatically.

Her cell phone rang and at a quick glance her smile returned. “Hey,” she answered softly.

“Hey yourself,” Tony replied. “How’s your day going?”

“Busy, but it’s almost over. What about you?”

Tony shook his head, thinking of the way his friends had reacted to him spending the weekend snowed in with her.

Walking in that morning to Alvarez Security, he expected some questions but not a joyous inquisition.

Lily, immediately placing her hand on his arm, peered into his eyes as though trying to see deep inside of him. “Are you alright?” Receiving his nod, she continued. “Is Sherrie all right?”

“Yes, we’re both fine.”

“No, I mean are you two really okay? Together?” she prodded.

Tony, unused to talking about his personal life to anyone, found his weekend with Sherrie had released him from being quite so uncomfortable. “Yeah, Lily. We’re great.”

Turning away from her smile, he was accosted by BJ and Gabe.

“So, you finally went after the girl, huh?” BJ asked.

BJ had not served with them in the Army, so he would not have gone through their experiences together. Tony saw Gabe’s expression, knowing his friend was both happy for him and understanding how life-changing this was.

Tony’s eyes did not flash irritation at BJ’s question, but instead found it hard to keep the smile from crossing his face.

“Not that my personal life is anyone’s business, but yes. I went after the girl,” he said.

Vinny and Jobe walked up, hearing the end of Tony’s one-sentence speech, each smiling. BJ had continued on toward the conference room, but the others stood in the hall with Tony.

“Captain, can’t tell you how happy I am for you,” Jobe spoke, sincerity filling every word.

Tony looked at his former squad members, now friends as well as employees. The men who had stayed with him as he picked out the white matching caskets. And secretly held him when he fell apart, careful to keep anyone else from seeing. He now saw the emotions clearly written on their faces. Happiness. And relief.

Smiling, he just nodded. They slapped him on the back as they too headed into the conference room.

Answering Sherrie, Tony said, “Everyone was happy we made it through the storm safely.”

“That’s it? No one had anything else to say?” she prodded.

“Like what, babe?”

“Oh, like BJ calling his wife, Suzanne, to tell her that we were now a couple and Lily calling her husband, Matt, to tell him as well. And then they told Annie and Jennifer, who by the way already knew before Gabe could call her.”

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