Concerns

"Still got 20 or so minutes."

"Well, whilst you're up, do you mind fetching me another beer?"

"Sure."

Spencer moved to the bedroom, concerned with Evelyn's drinking. Maybe she was just trying to kick back, but Spencer couldn't help but wonder if she was self-medicating. Still, he knew the last thing Evelyn needed was a fight over it. When he came back with the beer, Evelyn sat up and said "Don't know what I'd do without you."

"Get off your ass and grab your own beer?"

"Well, I guess I wouldn't resting after a quickie either."

"True."

An awkward silence followed as Evelyn sipped on her beer. Spencer sighed as he wondered how he should break the silence before he finally said "Had any more thoughts on that personal trainer idea?"

"Uhh, it seems like a good idea, but don't I need to get some sort of qualifications for that?"

"Probably."

"And that means money."

"Well, we can work it out if it's something you really want."

"Yeah. Of course, I'm just... I like police work too."

"No need to feel pressure. I'm just throwing it out there, you know?"

"It makes you nervous, doesn't it?"

Her words cut right into Spencer. "Yeah."

"You know, my Dad was 19 when he got selected for the Vietnam draft. He went on to be a Green Beret, got captured and escaped, and on another tour he got shot three times with an AK-47. Came home and became a cop, and you know what?"

"What?"

"One day he was out for a jog and when he came back, he found my Mom on the ground. Rare heart condition she didn't know of killed her. He's still somehow pushing 80. Life's random, cruel, and at times makes no sense. Best you can do just have as much fun with all the time you've got."

"Right." Spencer's mind couldn't help but think of Kristin, and wanted desperately to think of anything else. "So shot three times?"

"Yeah. Lost some strength in his right arm, but considering I have four other siblings other things were just fine."

"Well that makes sense if he doesn't have the arm strength to self-service."

The room filled with Evelyn's roaring laughter, which Spencer joined in with. Evelyn then nodded. "He'd like you."

"Good to know. So four siblings?"

"Yeah, two brothers and a sister. All went down south but they come around when they can."

"At least you do keep in contact."

"What about you?"

"Only child."

"Lucky you."

"Yeah... Well anyway, I better get moving."

"Of course. See you tomorrow Tiger."

"See you."

Spencer left Evelyn's house with a sense of helplessness. He could tell that Evelyn was dealing with something and that she wouldn't let her care-free facade crack in front of him, at least not yet. He was also concerned with what she'd do when she was alone. She'd already put two beers down, and he had a sense that there were more to follow. After a sigh, he realized all he could do was live with his concerns.