Special Weapons and Tactics Ch. 02

"So, you have a house here, now?"

"No, I probably messed up and just rented a 2 bedroom apartment when everything was still in a state of chaos in my personal life."

"Hmmm. Let's talk again later before you leave, OK?" she said as someone had just asked her to dance again. I had to admit my own dogs were hurting a bit by now. I needed some more beer as self-medication.

About 1AM things really started winding down and the band finally had to give it up. Me and about 30 other people were feeling no pain. Frenchie told me just find a place in the house and stay the night. It was a big house, at least 4 bedrooms, and all the women and kids got places upstairs in those rooms, and the older boys and men found places downstairs. Lots of air mattresses were all around and old blankets. Many of the guys just slept outside, having brought their basic camping stuff - bags and thermarests - just in case.

Next morning was yet another big communal breakfast that started pretty early as most then headed to Mass that Sunday morning. I was a tad hungover but strong coffee, scrambled eggs and lots of bacon helped quite a bit. These folks knew how to cook for a LOT of people at one time and could open a restaurant any time they wanted too.

Pretty soon just about everyone had cleared out except Frenchie and his wife, Jenny and her cousin Carla, and me. Jenny and I finally got to talk a little more.

"I've been thinking," she started. "How would you like to rent half my house when your kids are down here? I do have 5 large bedrooms with bunk beds set-up in 3 of them. And I just live here now with my son and Carla and her 8 year old daughter Kaylie. We could make room for you and your brood and be available for babysitting - and we could always use a few extra bucks." And she grinned.

I was floored by such generosity. I knew what she was offering me and I almost couldn't say no.

"Oh wow," I said. "It's almost like a prayer answered but I just can't say yes. At a minimum let's just try it - and if there is any big personality conflicts right away, I can back out and no hard feelings. OK?"

"Sure, John. That's fine. And don't be a stranger around here before then either. OK?"

"Oh, I have a feeling I won't be." And just like that I had a friend in Mobile that did NOT wear a uniform of any kind.