Sofe of Truth: Kay Howard
Written by Maggie the Cat
Why did you hafta go and start *crying* on me?
I'm not deaf. I heard you. I could tell from the
minute you started in on how beautiful Adena Watson
looked, there in the rain...face like an angel's.
You take *everything* to heart, dontcha, Tim?
Somtimes I wonder how you managed to grow up. I grew
up on the water, surrounded by tough old guys and
tougher young guys, and I held my own. Tussled 'em
until they learned I wasn't gonna be bullied and I
could handle a boat as well as any of them, and proved
that I could be top of the class too.
Guess I'm still sorta proving to people that I won't
be bullied and I'm just as good--if not better--than
any of 'em.
So I know what it's all about, Tim. Working your ass
off day in and day out and spending four, five
sleepless nights a week tossing and turning and
agonizing over that one little case, that one little
detail that's just outta reach...and then getting
mouthed off by your co-workers. Jeez--y'know,
Meldrick and I have been in Homicide for about the
same length of time, and we always got along okay.
He's kinda sloppy and doesn't always follow up his
cases regularly, but he's got a lot of black under his
name.
But now...I shoulda expected it, really. Out've all
you guys, Meldrick *would* be the one to test my
authority. Frank has too much respect for rules, you
and Munch *know* I deserve the position, and Mikey's
the rookie so he doesn't wanna step on his new Sarge's
toes.
But Meldrick's upset that *I* got the promotion even
though we've been around the same amount of time.
Y'know what? I think he's just pissed at himself,
'cause if he really applied himself to his job the way
I did, he coulda passed the sergeant's exam. He hates
having to come in every day and be reminded that he
slacked off and got passed over.
And hey, he got passed over for a woman, too. Don't
that beat all.
Don't get me wrong, Tim--I like working with you guys.
I always felt comfortable around guys, 'cause of
growing up with Dad and Josh. But...I still remember
how Higby and those other jerks talked trash about
Russert being their lieutenant, and how she musta
blown the right guy to get there.
Russert, hah...I bet Meldrick wouldn't mind *her*
being Sarge, with her skirt sets and silk blouses and
matching pumps. Kinda funny how things worked out,
Russert being demoted down to detective and me getting
promoted to sergeant?
And I *like* being thought of as "the best female
sergeant", thanks so much. 'Cause that's what I am.
And I'm gonna be *the* best sergeant with a little
time and a lot of work.
It's a *ton* of extra work, Tim. You guys are lucky.
I mean, it looks like I don't do as much because I'm
sending you out with instructions most of the time,
but have you seen the tower of paper on my desk? Wish
I could see Meldrick deal with *that*, with that
two-finger chicken-peck he calls typing.
And all the time in Gee's office, hashing over the
details of the cases and whether or not there's enough
evidence for a warrant and a million other things that
I took for granted when I was a detective....
Ahhhh, Bayliss--you're fallin' asleep. Musta worn
yourself out with that cryin', huh? Sorry I didn't
say anything, or hug you, or something...I'm
just...well, I'm not the mothering type, okay? I feel
bad for you, honest. I know you're goin' through
something rough, I could hear it in your voice. I
mean, when Josh used to get upset about stuff and cry,
he always appreciated it when I pretended like I
didn't *notice* he was crying. That's kinda the way
I'm used to dealing with that sorta thing.
So don't feel like I don't care, huh? I do care. But
it's not easy to show it with warm embraces and lotsa
gushy sentiment and declarations of love and all that
mushy stuff. I'll make sure your paperwork's eased
off, maybe make sure you don't catch too much overtime
for the next few days--Lewis and Kellerman could use a
heavier caseload. Don't get used to it, though; I'm
just givin' you a break because I think it's time for
one. We all need a recharge once in a while, right?
Jeez--it's so chilly in here. Go ahead and take a
nap, Tim. You could use the rest to get you back up
to speed. I gotcha covered.
---
End