Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:52:45 -0500
From: Max Millan <maxmillan2576@hotmail.com>
Subject: Blissful Paradise II: Allotted Time Chapter 10: The Long Night

Blissful Paradise
(Allotted Time)

A Long Night
by
Max Millan

Collin's wife visit with the doctor went fine when Shane ask his partner who
is busy tinkering with his gun.

"Put that away before you hurt yourself," Shane tells Collin.

"Damn, I can only remember using this once," Collin replies.

Shane is a little surprise, "You mean, a shootout?"

"No, just at the shooting range."

"I tell you what? Don't wish that you ever have to use that," Shane said
with a sigh. They say that those who experienced death are normally those
who learned to cherish life more. He had seen good young men who never made
it out. Even worse, one of those unlucky ones could have been one of the
kids he helped signed up."

Shane buckles up and drives out of the headquarters. It was still early in
the afternoon, but the streets are unusually busy. "Shit! Where are these
cars coming from?" Collin comments every time he sees car passes them by.

"Anything going on?" Shane answers also puzzled.

The two brushes it off and continues on with their patrol of the back roads.
About two hours in their patrol, the headquarters calls for all officers to
report back. On their way back, the number of cars on the streets has
already doubled and also louder. The booming sound of  music from many fully
occupied cars with some kids sitting by the window as they slowly chugs
along the main access street to the campus singing and shouting. Once again,
the road to the frat houses are already blocked with some sand bags
strategically laid underneath a wooden blockage. The honks from the squad
car are being ignored by the kids who look like they are ready to party.
Shane patience grows thin and turns on the flashing lights. This allows them
to weave in and out of the traffic. When they reach the headquarters, they
see State Trooper and the city police squad cars park in front of the
headquarters.

The briefing was quick. They were caught off guard. The flash gathering
earlier that year was just the warm-up. They now had the real thing.

A representative from the National Guard is conducting the briefing. In the
past few years, a rumor about a flash party started circulating. Whoever is
organizing the event would select a campus around the region for the event
and through word of mouth circulated the date and place of the gathering.
They are told to get ready for thousands of students from at least four
different states, making their way to the campus and added to that sudden
swell are the local student population who are joining in with the visiting
students. The activity was only caught later that day when the State Trooper
reported a large number of cars coming from the South and also from the
North. Their initial prediction was wrong. The rumor was a campus two hours
South of them. Apparently, the organizer changed the location at the very
end. It was the intention all along to confuse the authorities. The officers
left the briefing scratching their heads. Good thing, most of the roads
leading inside the campus have gates or metal poles that prevents cars from
wondering inside the main campus. That night, the roads inside the campus
are busy with police patrol cars darting through their destination. The
constant flashing red and blue light dominated the night. The National Guard
who have no authority to deal with the civilians are posted to look after
dormitories and key buildings. Shane and Collin were given the gasoline
station by the students' apartment complex. The dorm parking lots are not
spared as more and more visitors show up on the open space and setup an
impromptu party. By the time they made it to their patrol area, the parking
lots are already overflowing.

"What the hell is happening?" The clerk of the gas station convenience store
asked the two officers as stood next to the counter. He was complaining
about what seems to be a never ending flow of people entering the store. The
fear and disdain in his eyes are clearly on display when he points to where
the restroom is located. The muddy the floor shows the chaos that is going
on. He throws a fit when someone reports that the restroom is out of order.
He rushes to the restroom and scares off anyone who are still using it. He
shutdowns the water supply to avoid flooding the floor, and quickly grabs a
marker and piece of paper. He scribbles a "Restroom is Out of Order" and
posts it on the glass door.

Shane and Collin are busy checking ID's for any suspicious students as the
clerk annoyingly mans the cashier station, sending away those who still
tries to buy alcohol hoping to get away with it through the commotion. It
don't take long before the store runs out of alcohol beverages; It comes the
unruly complaints from demanding customers. The two officers dutifully
assists the exhausted clerk in informing the students about the lack of
alcohol to stop them from arguing further with the clerk. When he posts "No
Alcohol" on the door, the traffic slows down a little bit.

In a good day, he would have been happy that the store is busy. It might be
the kind of crowd coming in and out of his store, but the clerk never lets
up on his complaining whenever he can. "I don't mind the business, but this
is crazy. They should go somewhere else. Can't you guys do anything?" the
clerk asks Shane. Shane just snickers knowing that they cannot do a damn
thing but watch and hope that nothing bad happens.

Outside, the atmosphere is frantic. The music is blaring and cars are
honking non-stop to the beat of the music. The crowd are loud. Cars are
parked on any space available. Cops try to chase anyone who decided to park
by the roadside while some of them make a few arrests for outside
consumption of alcohol from places where the police can get into. But those
in the middle of any large gathering point are somewhat shielded. Maybe that
is also part of the design. The area around the campus was like a whirlpool
stuck in corner of what once a calm river. The night progresses without much
incident when the new order comes in to let the party goers alone and wait
things out, but the tension between the authorities and the young crowd
never let down.

Shane taps Collin's shoulder who is still asleep on his bunk to say goodbye
before leaving for home. He slowly drives to his house to get some more
needed rest after an unplanned overtime. The morning sun reveals what's left
of last night's revelries. The line of garbage and tire tracks on the grassy
roadsides are the only reminder of the chaos as the town slowly reverts back
to the quiet stillness of Saturday morning. Shane shakes his head when he
saw a car left on the side of the road still amazed of what just happened.
By tomorrow, everything will be forgotten. Shane turns on the shower. The
warm soothing water feels good on his tired body. He sighs a sense of relief
that it just happens to be his day off. He steps out of the shower, dries
himself and wraps the towel around his waist. He makes his way to his living
room and turns the TV on. The couch is very inviting, and it seems like a
good day to be lazy around the house. He flips the channel and catches the
last bit of the news about the party last night. The city police chief was
unfortunate enough to be assigned the task of explaining the whole thing.
Shane lays down and dozes off before the news ended.

Around two in the afternoon he is woken up by his ringing phone. A series of
curse words intended to no one comes out of his mouth as he staggers to pick
up his phone. Who the hell is calling him? Collin doesn't call during their
day off. He answers the phone and a cold air washes over him when he
recognizes the voice of their dispatcher. It didn't take long when he is at
the briefing room back in the campus police headquarters. The party might
have been over, but a few of them remained in the city, the troublesome
kind. Pharmacists so they are called. What should have been a normal arrest
turned to a standoff when two armed suspects barricaded themselves inside a
downtown apartment. The city police called for backup. Collin and Shane go
to their locker and pulls out their dusty vests. They are not leaving
anything to chance.

"Ready for the real thing, partner?" Collin asks Shane.

"Always," Shane answers checking his gun. "And it better be the real thing,"
he continues referring to the false alarm they had before with the family of
stoners.

In full speed, the campus police meet up with the city police who are
already lined up in front of the apartment. The two chiefs talks for a bit.
After a few minutes, the two got their order. Shane is not sure why the
decision to storm the apartment came in too quickly. But this is a small
town, many policemen can go through their whole service without seeing a
single gun fight. This is town of unruly drunks and not a place for hardcore
criminals. Shane carefully inspects his vest as he puts it on. The other
officers from the campus are already lining up ready to go. They are to
enter through the back door while the main city police storms through the
front. The adrenaline starts to flow when the lieutenant signals them to
take their position behind the apartment crouch down leaning by the wall.
Shane is behind the lieutenant and right next to him is Collin. The clock
ticks. Shane is now in a trance, he had been in this situation before
opening doors not knowing what was waiting for them. Then the faithful
moment comes, the order is given and in a flash gunshots ring. "Two down!
Two down!" is heard from the people storming the front. Just like that it's
over. But Shane body seems to have been conditioned to stay alert. It is
never over is what his gut is telling him. The lieutenant peeks through and
everything seems clear. Shane quickly dashes to the other side of the door
to get a better look of the other side. Then another officer goes inside
with Collin trailing. A sudden commotion ensues from the living room. From
Shane's vantage point, he sees a tall figure running in their direction with
a gun in his hand ready to shoot his way out of the back door. He shouts,
but it is too late. By the time anyone is able to react, the unaccounted
suspect had already unloaded several shots towards them before someone is
able to stop him. The suspect falls forward landing on Collin. When the
noise finally dies down, Shane sees Collin frantically moving the body
resting on top of him. He moves in to help his friend. When he tries to get
him up, he hears Collin whispers "I think, I got shot."

The bloodied hand cupping the side of his stomach as he tries to stand up in
labored breathe is the dreadful reminder of the someone's desperate effort
to escape.

"I guess I forgot my vest," Collin tries to joke.

"Stop talking idiot," Shane castigates his friend while the EMT lays him on
the stretcher.

The hospital moves with high level of urgency. One of the suspects survives
the encounter. A cop and criminal side by side inside the operating room
fighting for their lives. Shane sits on the bench waiting for any report.
>From the corner of his eyes, he sees a pale woman with a little boy in tow
walking fast towards the waiting room. He hasn't met her the whole time he's
been partnered with Collin, but it is plain to see that she is Collin's
wife. The familiar bump on her stomach tells the whole story. The captain
cuts her off her mad dash to see her husband. She cries on the captain
shoulder while the old man gives her some assurance that Collin will be
fine. She sits right next to Shane on the bench and the boy lays on her lap.

"I'm Shane, Collin's partner," Shane introduces himself. Collin's wife sits
there not saying anything just caressing her belly. Time passes by and the
doctor comes out of the operating. He goes straight to the captain. The
suspect didn't make it, but Collin is fine. He suffered no major injury. Not
a moment later, they wheel Collin out of the operating room. Collin's wife
runs to his side who is still asleep from the anesthesia. Shane looks at
her. Collin's bubbly attitude regarding his wife was all just an appearance.
The frailness of her state is undeniable. This might be the reason why
Collin never introduced her to him even during the time when they had to
make a detour to his house. He probably doesn't want anyone to feel sorry
about her. She tries to follow, but the weight of the situation is too much
for her. She suddenly goes down on her knees and grabs her stomach. Give or
take, she's still a week before the her due date, but the baby decides to
come out.

It is already midnight when Collin wakes up. Shane is the first to greet
him.

"It's really hard to kill a bad grass," he tells Collin.

Collin tries to sit up, "Aaa . . . ouch!" he mumbled.

"Woah, take it easy," Shane says but the light on his face goes away
quickly.

Collin easily recognizes something is wrong. Behind Shane is the captain.
"What's up captain?"

"I'm sorry, Shane. They didn't make it?" the officer sorrowfully breaks the
news to Collin.

"What do you mean, captain?"

"You're wife went into premature labor a while back. The doctor said, she
was in too much stress. She didn't make it."

"What about my baby?"

The captain chokes and not able to continue on. A loud scream of grief fills
the room. Shane is not able to do anything but look at his partner stricken
with the deepest sadness you can ever see. The nurse comes in and adjusts
the IV fluid. Another doze of sedative puts Collin into blank slumber. When
Collin's relatives show up, they thank Shane for looking after Collin's boy
who is still not aware of what just happened, and send him home. With
heaviness in every step Shane walks to his room and slumps on his bed.

The next day Collin is sitting on his bed with his eyes wide open staring at
nothing. Shane set the package from headquarters on the side table and
leaves the room without saying anything. For several days, Collin seems to
be nowhere. He is just going with whatever is going around him until the day
of the funeral.  He stands at the foot of the freshly filled grave looking
down. That's when he finally utters some words of his own.

"I couldn't believe I could be that stupid," he says to Shane who is
standing behind.

"It's not your fault" is Shane consoling response.

"If I just remembered to put on my vest, this wouldn't have happened. She's
always been brave knowing how things might turn out," Collins says fighting
the tears in his eyes.

"Are you OK?" Shane asks.

"I'll be. Just give me a moment."

The people at the service slowly thin out until only Collin and his son are
left under the darkening skies. Shane leave them to say their final
goodbyes.


Life at the headquarters is starting to chip on Shane's patience.  It's been
a little over week that he is assigned desk duty until Collin is back from
his leave. Paper works and answering phone calls are not to his liking so it
seems. He had spoken with Collin on the phone to check in him several times,
but it was just the usual "I'm fine" and "See you soon." He wonders what
kind of Collin he is going to meet. He is quite curious if the
happy-go-lucky partner that he met was the real Collin. Shane days have been
uneventful. The campus is back to its normal routine. The event downtown had
long been shoved into old news pile. Only the occasional rambunctious kids
break what otherwise a monotonous quiet day mostly childish fights. Days go
by that even the passing away of Collin's wife slowly fades away in the
headquarters. The casual inquiry about how Collin is doing has diminished to
nothing.

Shane once again is back in office just watching the TV waiting for any call
to come his way. During the middle of shift, he decides to take a break and
goes to grab himself a hot cup of coffee. The break room coffee doesn't look
so appetizing. The coffee shop attendant notices that he is alone that day.
In his some what lethargic voice, he replies that Collin is on vacation. Oh,
how he wishes that his friend is back. Sitting in the office all day is not
his thing. He takes a sip of his coffee and when it is still hot to his
liking, he sets it aside and drives back to the headquarters. On his way to
his desk, he sees Collin stepping out of the chief's office. His heart races
out of excitement. Collin is in his civilian clothes, so he must just be
there to talk to the captain. He would have told him if he is coming back.

"What up partner?" Collin says when Shane sits down.

"Not much. What you up to?" Shane replies.

"Nothing, just asking the captain for another day. My folks are dropping by
to help me with my son."

"Is he going to live with them?"

"No, but he will be staying with my in-laws during school days. They are
preparing his room, so I need someone to after him this week."

"Sounds good. . . . How are you? Ready to go back to work?"

"You bet I am. I'll get fat sitting in the house," the corporal answers
while rubbing his stomach. "You know this also requires some maintenance or
else I gain weight like crazy," he continues trying to be funny.

"Well, I'll make sure that you also make it back to the gym."

"Be nice though, I'm out of practice."

"I'm not promising anything."

"What are you, a personal trainer from hell?"

"Like they say. No pain. No gain."

"Shush. I might as well get back home before my son drives my neighbor
crazy."

"OK bud, see yah soon."

Shane smiles looking at Collin as he walks out of the station. He seems to
be fine. If he was just hiding what's truly inside his heart, he is doing a
fine job. The news of Collin coming back to work makes the few more days of
languishing in the office doesn't sound so bad.



The patrol car is already running while Shane anxiously waits for Collin to
come out of the headquarters. Collin is still favoring one side of his body
as he walks. His injury has not fully healed, but he thinks that reporting
for work will be better for him than spending his time alone in the house.

"Are you sure you are ready for this?" Shane checks on him when Collin
slowly takes his seat on the passenger side.

"Yup, I'm fine. Just some soreness but not too bad."

"Well, don't get yourself so work up."

"I plan to relax and let you do all the work," Collin replies and shows a
wide grin.

"That's cool. No harm in that," Shane agrees.

"What do we have in store for today?"

"Same old, same old. Patrolling the back roads again. Hopefully nothing
should be too harrowing ever happening."

"I hope not. I don't think my heart can take another shootout," the corporal
replies with a blank stare on his face. He still goes in and out. One moment
he is very talkative then another a long streak of silence.

"Oh, you'll be fine. They say bad grass are hard to kill."

"Screw you," Collin protests.

Shane is a little relieve that Collin seems to be in fine spirit. Well,
Mostly. He is afraid that the corporal might be brooding for a while. During
his days in the service, he had experience many sad days, but he and many
others had no time to grieve. It was always what tomorrow would bring. He
wouldn't have mind if his friend shows his sadness. He is just happy that
Collin is back.

To light things up he says, "Damn, I'm so happy you are back. I'm literally
loosing my mind in the office."

"How so?"

"I was in desk duty the whole time."

"They never assigned you a temporary partner?"

"No, they did not."

"Cool, I was worried you won't be my partner when I get back."

"Did you miss your cool partner?" Shane jokes.

"No, not one bit," Collin replies laughing.

Months quickly pass, and the sad memory of the dreadful night slowly heals.
The slightly lighter skin of Collin's scar is the only thing that reminds
them of that night. Collin sometimes refer to it as his street cred, a badge
of honor so he says, when they end their shift in the station's shower.
Collin has his routine pretty much figured out. His son stays with his
in-laws during his night shifts and gets to spend some time with him during
his day off.

Another school year is drawing to a close. One night, the two are leaning on
the hood of the squad car finding themselves watching as the last car drives
out of the one of the dormitory parking lots as they sip on their cold
caffeinated brew. Summer is approaching fast and the lull that it brings has
been a welcome relief. It's always been the time to take it easy.

Then the lights around the campus one by one turns off. It will be weeks
before the lights will be turn on again.

"Wow, you made it a year," Collin tells Shane.

"It's been a year already."

"Yeah, it's a year, partner."

"What a year, . . ." Shane pauses thinking if he should continue on, "giving
me a scare."

"Oh, it's nothing. It could have been worse," Collin replies trying to brush
off Shane's comment.

"How does it feel getting shot?"

"It's like getting burn from the inside."

"Ouch! I had close call but never got hit."

"Like you always say, bad grass are hard to kill," Collin returns back Shane
usual funny remark towards him.

"Hey now, that's my line."

Collin responds with a juvenile laugh.

"Are you done yet? We have to make our rounds," Shane says to cut him off.

The eerily silence of the campus is magnified by the darken windows of the
dormitories. Even the busy library that serves as the last meeting place of
the campus residence even at the wee hours of the morning is closed for the
break. The once busy place comes to a complete stop like a ghost town devoid
of life.

"Isn't this place scary when school is out?" Shane tells Collin.

"I know, right?"

"Let's just park by the gym. It's our last place to check anyways at least
it's by the main road," Shane suggests.

"That sounds like a good idea. It's close to the grocery store," Collin
agrees.

"Why? Are you having the munchies or something?"

"Not really. But just in case."

"Are you sure you are not swiping some weed from the evidence room?"

Collin just gives him the finger.

Half way through their patrol, they are drawn to the lights from the other
side of the campus. The college is sprawling. Another building is being
erected out of sight from the main campus. There the otherwise dead town is
still churning. That area will become the main campus later on. The
scattered make-shift buildings that serve the college for many many years
will eventually go away. A new and more grandeur entrance to the college is
also being built. Once the highway is complete, new students will be greeted
by more impressive buildings instead of the sight of what look like a place
forgotten by time.

Looking at the crane still busy lifting steel beams to their proper place,
"Looks like they are working over time," Collin says.

"This place has been on non-stop construction so it seems."

"Yeah, it's been like that for three years now. The college president is
boasting that the college will be the biggest university in the state in no
time."

"I wonder where are they getting the money from."

"I heard they are finally able to use the money from the foundation setup by
the founder of the college, and the government money helps too. Something
like strategic initiative."

"LOL, probably the Pentagon turning this place to another base of
operation," Shane jokes.

"There might be some truth to that. You haven't notice your kind around here
lately?"

"You're just bullshitin' me now."

"You started it."

"Come on. Let's get some coffee," Collin is growing tired of their patrol.

A quick drive to the grocery store for a fresh brew of coffee seems like a
good idea. The cashier manning the only open checkout station is surprised
to see the two cops walk in. Not that there is something wrong. It's been
several hours the last time he saw a customer.

"How is it going officers?" the cheery eyed teenager greets them while they
pay for their coffee and a box of donuts.

"Not much, how's business?" Collin replies.

"Slow. I guess school is done then."

"It is. Don't let your guard down though," Shane says flipping a quarter to
complete their purchase.

The weather is warming up, but an unusually cool air blows inside the car
when Collin rolls down the window. One of the few surprises of living in the
South. The changing season sometimes offers some extreme swinging on the
temperature.

"Breeeww, cold!" Collin mutters exaggeratedly.

"Jeez, becoming over dramatic lately. Do we?"

"But the air is cold."

"Here, drink your coffee."

The dark parking lot is only illuminated by a flickering light post by the
corner of the street going to the gym. The one or two cars that venture by
the road give them company waiting for their next scheduled round.

"Too bad they are decommissioning this gym," Collin says looking at the
building in front of them.

"Are they building a new one too?"

"Yeah, a bigger one also on the other side of the campus."

"Seems like they are flipping the who campus, don't they?"

"Soon this side will just be for student living and recreation."

"They are planning for something big then."

"Pretty soon will have a bigger place to patrol," Collin says. "That sucks,"
he continues not too fond about the idea.

"Well, isn't that supposed to be good for our resume working in a big
university?"

"Yeah right," Collin says sarcastically. "Only if our paycheck also grows at
the same rate."

"You really have no plan of leaving this place?"

"Why? This place ain't too bad."

They finish their coffee and their share of donut. Collin licks every last
bit of powdered sugar off his fingers.

Shane laughs looking at him, "you're like a kid when you eat donuts."
"Better watch out for this," Shane adds rubbing Collin's stomach.

"Well it's good," Collin replies making a sound licking his fingers.

"Don't tell me you are going to wipe your fingers on your pants."

Collin has to change his plan when he was caught with what he is about to
do. He grabs a napkin from the donut box instead.

"So what you been up to lately?" Shane asks Collin still trying to check if
his friend is holding on fine.

"Not much, just chasing after my kid. How about you?"

"Go anywhere I want to. Single and no kid here."

"Don't give me that shit. On the other hand, I rediscovered the joy of
jerking off."

"You and your dick talk again."

"As if you don't choke that chicken everyday."

"Well then, welcome back to the club."

"I'm well in the club. Four times a week." he pauses "or more."

Shane muffles his laughter. It's just Collin talk which is normally just
talk. He unconsciously checks him out. "Hey, what's in your pocket?"

Collin looks at him with a puzzled face, "There's nothing in my pocket."

"Looks like you have a candy bar in there," Shane replies.

Collin looks down on his crotch and flashes a naughty smile. "Hey partner,
is the backseat still a 'jack shack'?" Collin says out of nowhere.

"Shit, don't tell me?"

"Yup, been horny for a while."

"We still have to do another round."

"I don't care. I have to take care of this," he says grabbing his hardening
cock under his pants.

"Dude, can't you wait 'til after the shift?"

Collin ignores him and steps out of the car. In no time, he was at the
backseat of the car with his pants and white boxers down to his ankles and
his gun holster sitting safely on the side of the seat. Shane had seem him
naked before and a few times sporting a hard-on in the shower. Collin never
seems to have any problem showing his nakedness to Shane. This is not the
first time his seen another man playing with himself so close to him, but it
is still quite fascinating to see his buddy with his knees spread apart with
his right hand wrapped around his manhood. Shane adjusts the rear view
mirror. Collin gives him a wide grin when he saw what Shane did. The little
light from the road light post gives ample ambient illumination to see
Collin's hand slowly slides up and down his cock while his other hand plays
with his balls.

Shane leaves him alone in his own heaven for the moment and enjoy the
freedom of being single again. He proceeds to fill in tonight report. There
is nothing much to write down. It's been the same entry for many days now,
but it has to be done.

What supposed to be a another boring night is becoming more interesting. The
soft moans and grunts coming from the backseat gives him a  bit of a thrill
as he unconsciously rubs his own crotch.

"Mmph, that feels good, . . . aah," he hears Collin. He turns around to see
what is going on.

"Are you planning on getting off?" he asks Collin.

"Yeah," Collins replies between his moans.

Shane look at his watch and says, "About time to do our patrol."

"Shit, when it's finally starting to feel good," Collin says dejectedly.
"Can I just stay here while you drive?"

"Our break is over. I can't keep the radio silence forever. You know."

"Oh shit, I forgot about that," Collin jolts in panic.

"No worries, I made sure it's off."

"Oh shit, thanks bud." His hard cock quickly goes placid. The shock of
someone in the dispatch might have been listening to him tempers his desire
to have his release. He pulls up his pants and steps out the backseat
holding the waist of his pants. He opens the passenger the door and finishes
tucking himself.

"How does it look?" Collin asks Shane about his uniform.

"You are fine."

"Shoot, that's a boner killer." The frustrated corporal slumps on the
passenger seat.

The other man is just laughing. It's extremely rare to see the expression of
someone gets cut off from the height of his sexual exploration even if it
just by himself. Collin is at ease once again halfway through their patrol.
The last thing to check is the library. It's the most valuable building not
for the books housed inside but the hundreds of newly procured desktop
computers. The final stretch of their shift is to again man the back roads
that few locals still use.

"Well, this is going to be one boring night." Shane reclines his seat as if
planning to take a nap.

"Thanks for looking after me, buddy" Collin tells his partner.

"LOL, you know you still have to press the button for them to hear you,
right?"

"Oh cool. That gives me a scare."

"You probably shouldn't to do it here. It will make the car smell."

"If it is always this slow, this car is a fair game."

"That might not be a good idea."

"I know, but don't lie that you haven't thought about doing it here."

Shane is already laying down on his seat with his eyes close. Collin copies
him and reclines his own seat and proceeds to take a nap. The two remains
half-sleep still listening to the chatters from the radio. Parked by a small
hideaway in their usual spot by the road, they lazily wait for their shift
to be over. The silence is broken when Shane calls out for his partner, "Hey
corporal." Collin remains in his napping position with his arms crossed.

"Hey Collin," Shane calls out again and Collin is still not responding.

A little louder, "Hey idiot," he calls out again. Collin opens his eyes and
answers, "what up?"

Shane pauses then says, "I'm joining you."

"What you mean?" Collin is somewhat puzzled.

Shane looks back at the backseat and a sheepish smile forms on his face.
There is no explaining what's suppose to come next.

"We don't need to go back there. Let's just do it here. Seats already
reclined," Collin suggests.

The clucking sound of their holsters being place in the backseat echoes
inside the car. Shane waits for Collin to make his move. When he sees the
corporal undoing his pants, he does the same thing. Lifting their hips they
both pull their pants down to their ankles and spread their knees as far
apart as they can.

With only the dim light from the car console, Shane checks out Collin,
"Impressive," he mumbles.

"Yours not too bad either," Collin replies.

Then their conquest begin. The beginning is full of giggles as the thought
of them jacking off inside the patrol car gives them something to laugh
about. It makes the atmosphere between them more casual.

"Are you going to write this in your report?" Collin jokes.

"What do you want me to write. 'The corporal left a few drops of cum inside
the car.'"

"Drops? Write 'a puddle.'"

"Damn, you are rock hard already," Shane comments on Collin's raging hardon.
His earlier attempt was still in his system.

"I've been wet dreaming the whole time I was napping."

"Even in your sleep, all you think about is your dick."

"Nothing wrong with that. You have some catching up to do, better stroke
that pecker."

Laying on their seats, the two starts working on their cocks. Shane settles
on slow strokes. His bare hand is now giving him a little trouble after
getting used to the slickness of lube. He turns his head to see how Collin
is doing with own when he hears some slapping sounds. Collin is playing with
his hard cock, hitting his stomach with it. The precum left just below his
belly button reflects what little light is coming inside the car. He had
already unbuttoned his tops and the white undershirt is rolled up to his
chest. Collin smiles when he sees Shane checking him out once again. With
their own cock in hand, their self exploration proceeds with only moans and
occasional grunts exchange between them. They will turn their heads from
time to time to take a peek on each other, and when it happens at the same
time, they will just grin at each others. Their pleasant diversion is
without a hitch.

"Damn, I'm getting close," Collin says.

"Go for it," Shane encourages him.

"Got anything to catch it?"

"Oh, I didn't think about that."

"Well?"

"Got extra uniform at home?" Shane asks while unbuttoning his own tops.

"He-he. Straight to the shower room, I guess," Collin says giggling.

With things planned out, Shane and Collin work on their release. In sync,
the two moan a series of "aahhs."

"I'm coming, buddy," Shane gets there first. His moans starts coming in
closer and closer then a long one. Inside the dark interior of the car, the
warm feeling of his bodily fluid on his lower body is the only thing that
tells him of the sweet reward from his slowly softening cock. He smears the
few drops that ended up on his hand on his shirt.

He looks at Collin who stiffens a little when his own release finally comes.
Then Collin heavy breathing filled the air before taking one deep breath and
blows the air out from his lungs.

Collin turns his head towards Shane and says, "That felt good." Then offers
his partner a fist bump.

"Brings back memories," Shane quips.

The two are feeling lazy to move or maybe just prolonging the experience and
just lay on their seat exposed to one another. Shane rolls the windows down
to air out the combine smell of their sweat and cum that is starting to fill
the car. There is really no need to rush. The road hasn't seen a single car
for a while now.

"What time is it?" Shane breaks the silence.

"We still have thirty minutes to kill."

"Let's just call it a night, I'm feeling icky now."

Shane looks around to see if the coast is clear before opening the door. He
slides out his legs and  pulls his pants up then he runs his hand over the
part of his shirt where he left his seed and just shrugs his shoulder when
he feels the dampness between his fingers. He gets out of the car to finish
fixing his uniform. On the other end, Collin is doing the same thing.

One more exchange of grins then Shane starts the car and proceeds to drive
back to the headquarters. They make a beeline to the shower room trying to
act casually as possible. But when they get to the locker, they blurt out a
good laugh. And even louder when the stains on their white undershirt are
clearly in view when they remove their uniform.

That familiar smell permeates the air and Collin takes a sniff of it, "hmm,
that sweet smell."

"He-he," is all Shane can say. They giggle their way to the shower stalls
acting like kids who just did something they were not supposed to do.

The next day is pretty much the same without the extra curricular activity.
The 24-hour grocery store becomes their favorite spot to kill time. The
air-conditioned building gives them a brief relief from the warm humid
weather that is beginning to creep in. Shane inspects the station. The
coffee maker had been shutoff earlier that evening. They've been there many
times normally the only customers late at night that the store manager let
them tinker with the coffee maker. Shane turns it on.

"What's going on Friday?" Shane asks Collin about the change in their
schedule.

"Oh, we got a break. They are just going to cycle people for the night
shift. Still on call though."

"That ain't too bad."

"Wanna get some drink Friday after work? I don't need to pick up my boy 'til
Saturday."

"Sure, why not. I usually just go to bed most Fridays anyway."

They walk by the check out lane and chat with the young dark skinned
teenage girl who is unlucky enough to be on the graveyard shift. Two young
kids walk in and have the same thing in mind. They check the coffee station
and are disappointed to learn that there is no coffee ready for them. They
slowly walk back to ask the young lady.

"It should be ready in just a few more minutes," Collin tells them.

The two officers carefully assess the new arrivals. They look alright,
nothing out of the ordinary, just local kids frolicking at night.

"Staying out of trouble?" Collin asks them as they browse through the candy
bars.

"Yes sir," one of the kids replies almost in whisper.

Shane senses that Collin is about to play cop with the unsuspecting kids, so
he immediately replies "Good. Coffee is ready by the way." The green
blinking light catches Shane's eyes.

Shane castigates Collin for trying to scare off the two kids who are walking
back to the coffee station. The young cashier is laughing all the while
Collin is trying to explain himself. A few minutes later they see them
coming back which is their signal to get their own. With the brief jolt of
alertness, they ride around the campus and another lazy night patrol is
over.

Friday came soon enough. The change in schedule finds themselves working a
regular day shift. The sun still making its final descend when they arrive
at the bar. Their names are called out as they walk in. Some of the regulars
must have been there and surprise to see them not on their usual Saturday
night. The bartender already had their pitcher of cold beer ready before
they even make it to the bar area. They take a spot at one end of the bar.
Four old timers are busy discussing their life stories in the middle, and a
loud middle-aged couple is on the other end giving the nice heavy-set
bartender a hard time. They've been there for a bit and starting to run her
patience. She keeps telling Shane and Collin that those two should just go
home. A group of young men still in their paint stained clothes and jeans
are standing by the jukebox debating on what songs to play. The construction
inside the campus has been a boon to the local economy. They talk about it
as if the jobs will be there forever, but it's one of the best things that
ever happened to the city ever since the college decided to expand. A pair
of couples sit by the table close to Shane and Collin quietly talking to one
another. The bar is half-empty, but it is still a good crowd.

"I wasn't expecting you guys to be here," the bartender says while wiping
the counter with her wet rag.

Raising their pitcher to let her finish wiping the counter Collin replies,
"Change of schedule."

"For good . . ." She pauses, "Or bad?"

"Just for the break. Not much going on."

"Oh, I see."

"One of those nights that you wish that a big . . ." she stops herself. She
is about to mention the night when a throng of students invaded the campus.
She knew better than to stir bad memories.

Collin waits for her to complete what she's going to say.

"Damn, those guys are driving me crazy tonight. I can't even think of what
I'm saying," she pretends that she has forgotten what she was thinking and
diverts the attention to the middle-aged couple who looks like are having an
argument now.

"I can't believe those two are still together. When they get drunk, they
fight," Shane interjects.

"As predictable as the sun rising," Collin adds.

"They probably have the best make up sex," Shane jokes. Almost snorting, the
bartender laughs at Shane's comment which Collin joins in.

The bartender merrily wipes the rest of the bar. The night passes by, and
the constructions guys are now singing to every song they are playing while
Collin and Shane continues on to survey what is going on inside the bar. A
few more people come in and some left. Leaning back on the bar stool they
watch the stream of new faces figuring out who they are. Wondering something
mundane as that give them something to talk about. Shane looks down at his
bare legs slightly parted apart noticing that Collin is also wearing a plain
old t-shirt and a basketball shorts that he fills nicely with his round
thighs. One of the few good things about living in a small town. There is no
need to look slick all the time when you just want to down a few drinks.
Collin is sitting with the widest man spread. His one leg is nested
underneath Shane's stool and the other on his. They're legs have been
crisscrossed. Both of them are no longer apprehensive when a part of their
body touches that small things like that escape them. Shane intentionally
rubs his calf on Collin's shin to see his reaction. Collin just goes on as
if nothing happens.

An hour before closing time, they finally have their intended alcohol body
content. They aren't there to get drunk just to chill and hang out. Their
choice of clothing does nothing to hide the mound between their legs as they
continue to sit leaning back. Collin tries to show off by intentionally
getting himself hard. Shane checks at the outline of Collin's growing
manhood which is now obvious to anyone who happens to look. Collin leans
closer and whisper, "No work tomorrow. You up for a repeat?"

It's Shane's time to be puzzled and replies, "Huh?"

Collin mimes jacking off.

It's almost an out of nowhere suggestion but Shane is game. "Your car or
mine?" Shane asks.

"I'm up for some more drink though. We can do it at my place."

"Six pack?"

"Yeah, that should be enough."

Unfortunately, like many states down South, stores stop selling alcohol at
specific time of the night, so they have to settle for the pricier beer from
the bar. Shane asks the bartender for a six pack to go which she carefully
puts in a brown paperback. More people show up to catch the last few minutes
before closing time, and the two wade themselves out of the bar.

Collin's house is several minutes away along an unpaved road lit by
distantly separated light posts. It's a single floor square-looking three
bedroom house that sits right next to a cotton field. A stair leads up to
the porch and the front door. A very typical house in the sparsely occupied
part of the town. Shane had been to Collin's house many times during their
patrol but never actually went inside.

Collin opens the door and invites Shane inside. He takes his shoes and
leaves then by the door. Collin does the same thing. Shane has to let his
eyes get used to the dimly lit house. It's only when Collin turns on the
kitchen lights that he has a better view of the inside. A two-seater leather
couch is in front of the TV and right next to it is a matching recliner
complete the living room. Some family pictures hang on the wall. The few
reminders that he is now on his own are the toys littering the floor that
Collin is shoving to the corner with his feet. One or two dishes still sits
inside the kitchen sink. The kitchen table had long been relegated as extra
storage for things that should be put away if and when the time comes. The
place is otherwise clean. Shane is somehow relieved. When something is
wrong, the house is normally the first thing to show it. Shane asks for the
restroom his bladder is about to explode. Collin points him to the first
door down the hall. The guest bathroom is still sparkly clean since it is
seldom used. Collin sneaks in when he is just finishing.

"Oh shit, you fuckin' scared me," Shane blurts out.

"C'mon move. I got to pee."

Shane just shakes his head and walks back to the living room. He takes a
seat on the couch. The recliner would have been more comfortable, but a
man's spot is his territory. Their beer haul for the night and a few bottles
from Collin's fridge are left on the side table. The TV is now turned on
with a movie on pause. There is no need to guess what it's going to be.
Shane opens a bottle of beer. He hears the toilet flush and comes Collin who
quickly grabs his own beer and drops himself on the recliner.

"Ouch!" he exclaims. He sat on the remote. With the cause of his momentary
pain in hand, he push the play button. The familiar porn soundtrack gives
them a good laugh when they both hum to it.

"Don't tell me you have this video too," Collin says.

"It's kinda old but good," Shane replies.

"Swingers party," Collin recollects the content of the video.

The movie continues on. It don't take long when their free hand is massaging
their crotch. A beer in one hand and their cock in another seem like the
best thing in the world right now. The two friends are not talking still
fixated on the movie. Only occasional glances are exchanged to see where
they are in their self exploration. When Collin slips his hand inside his
shorts, Shane follows suit. The air-conditioning is not enough to keep the
rising temperature inside. Shane takes of his shirt. Not a minute later,
Collin shirt is flying in front.

Few empty bottles are now collecting on the night stand. The glistening head
of Collin's cock flickers from the light of the television. His hand gently
caressing the base of his erect manhood. His shorts is now down his ankles.
Shane himself is slouch side ways on the couch facing him. The playing movie
has now become nothing but ambiance. They've been watching each other.

Shane starts the conversation to break the monotony of the night. "How big
is that thing again?" he asks.

"A good eight," Collin replies.

"Same as mine but yours looks bigger though."

"Yeah, it matches me. He-he." Collin says referring to his wide body.

"So you've been abusing that thing regularly, huh?"

"Like almost everyday. My best friend," Collin says as he intently examine
his cock swinging it back and forth.

"I thought I am your best bud?" Shane jokes.

Collin looks at Shane smiling. He might have taken Shane joke a little too
literal, "You want a hand or something?" he asks.

"Why? You want too?" Shane counters daring him.

"I don't mind if you also help me with mine."

"Feeling adventurous, aren't we?"

Collin stands and completely gets out of his shorts then kicks it to where
his shirt lays. Shane sits straight on the couch to make room.

"Have you done this before?" Shane asks Collin while the other man takes his
seat.

"Just jerk off session with my friends during my high school days, watching
porn."

Shane is no stranger to mutual stimulation, so he is quite curious of what
his friend is thinking at the moment. "Really? No one was ever tempted to
touch that fat dick?"

"Dunno." He is now stroking his cock in unison with his friend on the same
couch.

"Would you have let him?"

"Yeah," Collin replies and shows his naughty smile.

The night started slowly between them but slowly but surely after many
exchanges of innuendos, the eventuality of their shared sexual encounter
begins that night. Shane's left hand finds Collin's thigh rubbing it as he
strokes himself. Collin parts his legs even wider. He is feeling for Shane's
legs. When the side of their legs touches, he begins rubbing his leg against
his friend's. The ice of initial encounter has been broken. Shane's hand
gently migrates to the inner thigh and strokes it stopping short of the
groin area. Collin is looking at the video again just feeling Shane's touch.
The urge to finally wrap his hand around Collin fat cock comes. Shane not
wanting to appear pushy waits for Collin to take his hand off his cock all
the while the corporal is thinking the same way. He's been thinking of
grabbing Shane's hand and guiding it to his waiting cock. It's been like
that between them, signals are sent from each other but never seem to
connect.

"Can I feel it?" Shane asks at the same time Collin says, "Go ahead." They
laugh.

Collin rest his arm on the back of the couch giving his buddy full access to
his erection. Shane gives Collin's chest muscles a good feel before slowly
moving his hand down to his navel. He runs his hand over his friend's pubic
area feeling the short hair that are starting to grow back. It looks good
like a rugged looking stubble on a man's face. Collin intently looks at his
friend's hand exploring his lower torso. Shane is not doing it to take his
sweet time before wrapping his hand on Collin's hard cock. He just does not
want to pass up the opportunity of feeling his buddy. His now bulging chest,
and although not a six pack, his tone stomach are very inviting. Collin
responds by grabbing onto Shane's thigh.

"You're looking good," Shane comments.

"Thanks to you. My arms are looking good too. They have definition now."
Collin replies extending his arms in front like a bodybuilder to show off.

"This one looks good too." Shane's hand is now holding the base of Collin's
cock.

"That's always been good lookin'," Collin replies. "I would have married my
own dick if it's possible," he jests.

"Feel good just holding it." The corporal's hard manhood suddenly feels
familiar. Shawn whose cock is slightly longer had the same girth as Collin.

"Your hand feels good around it."

"LOL, I haven't even started strokin' it."

"Is this what you're waiting for?" Collin says then reaches for Shane's.

Shane passes a bottle beer to his friend as they get more comfortable. They
go back watching the movie with one hand now free to wonder around and touch
each other. The movie ends, but they are still not even close to reaching
the plateau.

"Want me to put on another movie," Collin asks.

"Nah, we can do without it," Shane replies.

"OK then, Just a sec." Collin walks back to his room and comes back with a
towel and a jar of petroleum jelly in hand. "I don't wanna be sore after,"
he says then kneads a dub of petroleum jelly on his hand. He smears it all
over his buddy's erection and tests sliding his hand up and down. When it's
to his liking, he hands Shane the lube. It didn't take long when both of
them are exchanging compliments about how good the hand job they are giving
each other.

Shane looks down to see Collin big warm hand goes up and down his cock.
"You're hand feels so good," Shane tells Collin.

"Lot's of practice."

The stiffness of the Collin's does not escape him and inquires about his
effort, "So how does it feel?"

"Pretty good."

"So how come you never did this with someone before?"

"I guess, just never found the right buddy," Collin hints.

"You thought about it then?"

"Yeah. I told you before I'm open to it."

"Why don't you lay down for a bit?" Shane suggests. The two-seater couch
doesn't leave much room but it the just the perfect size for what they're
going to do. Collin lays down. His legs loop around his friend who is still
sitting down turned towards him. Shane lubes up his other hand.

"Don't be shy," Shane tells him. "You're a hot motherfucker," he adds
complementing Collin's naked body that is in full view. The scar on the side
of his stomach is looking sexy knowing what caused it.

"You like," Collin replies.

Shane wraps his one hand around the base of Collin's cock while the other
slides up and down making sure he runs the palm of his hand over the head.

"Damn, that feels good," Collin mumbles.

When his friend continues stroking his cock, all Collin can do is moan,
thrusts his hips and blows air abruptly when the pleasure becomes
undeniable. He can't remember if he ever experienced the pleasure of letting
someone else took control even with the girls he dated when he was younger.

"Stroke it, buddy," he says when he wants Shane to go a little faster then
with his head tossed back he starts whimpering a series of "oh yeah"
punctuated by a grunt then he jerks his head forward exhaling a short burst
of air.

Shane easily finds the rhythm. Several times he will bring Collin to the
edge then carefully stop before the point of no return. There were times
when Collin's hand because of habit would try to take over, but Shane just
parried it away. After failing to take control, Collin is often reduced to a
heaving hunk of meat. Shane is having a good time and sometimes let out a
giggle watching his friend's reaction to his expert hand job.

"Buddy, I wanna cum," Collin says almost begging when Shane once again
brings him back close to the edge.

It didn't take long when Collin is unloading all over himself. His hips
raise up showing the intensity of his release. Shane continues stroking him
until Collin grabs his hand. The head of his cock is now extra sensitive
that it could no longer handle the attention.

"Oh shit! Damn. My knees feel so weak," Collin tells Shane.

"That good, huh?"

"Very, . . ." he pauses then says, "what a mess" after looking at the drops
of cum splattered on his chest and stomach.

Shane sits back straight and leans on the couch feeling Collin's warm leg
behind him while his other leg rests on his lap just enough room to stroke
his own cock. He tosses his head back and pumps away. His free hand grabs
onto Collin thigh on every ebb of his journey to sweet release. The image of
heaving Collin as he edged to his climax turned him on that it won't take
long before he spew his own.

Collin looks on and encourages him to unload, "Yeah, stroke that cock. Go
for it buddy. Shoot that load on me."

Not a minute later, Shane points his cock on Collin's hairless inner thigh
then exclaims, "I'm gonna cum." Then the first stream of cum comes out of
his cock flying over Collin's waiting thigh landing in front of  the couch.
The next ones hit the spot. Drops of Shane's release accumulate on his
friend's strong looking thigh. Spent, he gives Collin stomach a few "good
job" pats before slumping on the couch.

Collin sits back up. His knees still feel like jello when he tries to stand,
so he also slumps back on the couch. His release earlier drips slowly down
his body. He feels the warm streak of fluid tracing a path down his body, so
he reaches for the towel hanging on the arm rest. He wipes his chest,
stomach and Shane's bodily fluid left on his thigh before handing it to his
buddy who meticulously cleans the mixture of lube and Collin's sexual
release from his hands. Collin leans pass Shane to grab another bottle of
beer. Shane does the same and opens his own.

"You can stay in the guest room if you want," Collin suggests.

"I think I'll just drive home. You wore me out. I might have to sleep in
tomorrow."

"Damn, It was good," Collin confides once again.

"Cheers," Shane says. The clink of the beer bottle sealed their
understanding.

"I need to get going. I guess, see yah Monday," Shane puts his clothes back
on. Collin walks him out to the door. A firm handshake and Shane is off.
It's been six months from that faithful night. He looks back at the small
square house. The white flowers from the blooming cotton field catch the
scarce light from the only light post illuminating the path to the house
making an otherwise eerie place seems magical. He is happy to see that
Collin is moving on.

It is already almost midday when he wakes up. His hungry stomach leads him
to the fridge. He looks at what inside and debates if he should cook
something or not. He grabs a box of TV dinner then puts it inside the
microwave. It will do for now. With his lunch in hand, he walks out of his
patio surveying his backyard. The lawn needs some mowing. It would have been
a rather fine day if not for the searing heat of the sun that puts an end to
his plan on staying in the patio for the meantime. TV dinner is not the most
appetizing food to eat that he almost inhales it just to finish it as fast
as possible before the disgust sets in. He is about to lay on his couch when
his phone rings.

"What's up buddy?" It is Collin.

"Hey," he lazily replies.

"I'm grilling today. You coming?"

"What's the occasion?"

"Nothing just have my in-laws coming over to drop my boy."

"LOL, even to this day, you still try to avoid your in-laws."

"Habit is hard to break," Collin says laughing on the other end. "Just
kidding. They just get a little too chatty sometimes."

"OK, what time?"

"Be here around four."

"Later then."

"Later, bud."

Several cars are parked outside when he arrives. Probably some of his folks,
Shane says to himself. Shane makes his to the backyard to see. Everyone
seems to be there waiting for the Collin to finish cooking his meaty treat.
It is to Shane's surprise that some of the folks from headquarters are there
too. This must have been a typical occurrence around here.

"Partner, you made it," Collin greets him waving the grilling tongs.

"I didn't expect for everyone to be here."

"Oh, I called them. It's a party," Collin replies. On the hindsight, what he
said is true. This is pretty much the favorite way to pass time for the
people living in the town specially for someone like Collin who lives out of
the way. The wind blows carrying the scent of the freshly watered soil of
the nearby cotton fields. It must the closest to a country living someone
can still experience in a city that is slowly transitioning. The effect of
the expanding campus is starting to show. Pretty soon the wide stretch of
farming lands will give way to new houses and other buildings. One by one,
those lands will be sold out.

Shane walks inside the kitchen to cool off. The sun still bright high up in
the sky. Sitting by the living room are Collin's in-laws looking after a
toddler that never seems to tire. After some exchange of greetings, he sits
on one of the kitchen chairs. A few people from outside follow him inside
also to take a break from the sun.

"Want a beer?" Shane hears from behind. It's the lieutenant.

"Thanks, L.T."

"Your first time going to one of Collin's summer cookouts?"

"Yeah."

"He claims that his steaks are better than Bubba's Grill."

"Really?" Shane says sarcastically.

"You gotta give it to the guy for putting some effort. I don't know what he
does with the steaks but they do taste good."

The cool interior has finally done its wonder. The exhausting heat outside
is also becoming more forgiving. Shane steps out looking for his friend.
Collin wipes the sweat on his face with the sleeves of his shirt while
standing in front of the fan then goes back to man his grill. Shane goes to
where Collin is grilling and stands right next to him.

"Done yet?" he pesters Collin.

"They're about done,"

"I heard you handle your meat well, and your meat tastes good," Shane tells
Collin.

"Tender. And if you squeeze it, juice come out," Collin replies recognizing
Shane's double meaning.

"LOL, good one."

"Grab the serving tray, will yah? This batch is ready."

The first batch of steaks and grilled corns on the side quickly disappeared
from the serving tray. There are about twenty or so people gathered in
Collin's house some people from work, friends and relatives.

Collin readies the next batch, and  the smell of roasting meat fills the
air. The few minutes later, Collin is once again asking Shane to grab the
serving tray. Now that his duty is fulfilled, Collin takes his deserved
rest. He opens a folding chair and sets a cold can of beer in one of the
armrests' cup holder. Shane swipes himself a steak and a corn cob and sits
on a mismatched folding chair. It must have been bought when the other one
couldn't be located. The two sit down watching the people munching on their
treat and listen to the chatter.

Shane carefully watches the people who showed in Collin barbecue. Most of
them he hasn't met. Collin's son is sitting on the wooden table table being
fed by his grandmother. The kid's striking resemblance to his father did not
escape him. "You and your son look like halves of a watermelon," Shane
comments.

"What can I say, I have strong genes,"  Collin brags.

"I hope he doesn't grow up stupid like his dad," Shane shots back.

"Fuck you!" Collin protests.

Shane just laughs which draws the people from their work to their side. The
conversation bares immediately about work. There is a talk about one of the
only two detectives in the force moving to Florida with his family. Next to
the captain, detective receives a more decent pay than most. The lieutenant
is thinking about applying for the job. Driving around the campus is growing
old on him. Although he will likely spend most of his time in the office, he
prefers it that way, In fact, most of his duties already involve managing
patrol officers from the office anyways. Shane and Collin cannot blame him
specially since the break and even the coming Summer semester mean slow
months when patrolling becomes tiresomely repetitive each and every day.

"What do you have to do to become a detective?" Collin inquires.

"You will need to be a patrolman for a bit then request to be transferred
later. If there is an opening," the lieutenant replies. Unfortunately, the
size of the campus police department is limited by the university's funding.

"I can be a detective then," he jests.

"Do you have a college degree? School only allows detectives with college
degree."

"Oh, screw that," Collin says showing the sign of disappointment on his
face.

Shane carefully listens to the conversation between Collin and the
lieutenant even if it's funny at times. He was already half-way through his
degree when he was deployed. The sound of being a detective appeals to him
somehow. It can be his long term career goal.

The sun slowly makes it way to the West, the once busy backyard dwindles to
five, Collin's in-laws, his son, and the two of them. Collin's son sits on
his lap while his mother-in-law cleans up in the kitchen while the other
half of the pair is already snoozing in the recliner. The little one is
burying his face in his dad's chest. Shane tries to coax him to say
something but is becoming irritable the sign of tiredness setting in.

"You wanna go to grandma?" Collin asks his kid.

His son replies with a timid nod. He excuses himself for a minute and brings
his kid inside.

"He's feeling a little grumpy," Collin tells his mother-in-law.

She looks at the clock, "It's still early for his bedtime, but I think he
can go to bed. But I warn you, he is going to wake up early." She wipes her
hands and takes the kid to her arms. His son protests about taking a bath
before bed when his grandmother asked him. It's amazing how just by having
people around can wear a kid like that. Entertaining non-stop attention can
be a labor sometimes specially to a little toddler.

"I guess, he is going night-night," Collin tells Shane as he steps out of
the kitchen door with a pitcher of water in hand to make sure the coal is
put out. "Can you help me clean the grill before it gets dark?"

"What do you think about becoming a detective?" Shane asks his friend.

"Must be nice solving crimes," Collin replies probably thinking of those
detectives you see on TV.

"Well, I'm thinking about it."

"Shoot. Are you getting tired of me already?"

Shane brushes off his friend's comment, "Just a long term plan, I guess."

"Sounds good."

"How about you what is your plan?"

"I like patrolling, chasing people."

"LOL, chasing. We'll see about that. Annual PT is coming up."

"I won't have any problem with that," Collin says assured of himself. "So
are you thinking of going back to school?" he continues.

"I'm not sure if I can fit school into my schedule."

"You have time in the morning before our duty," he is quite supportive about
the idea.

"Who's going to look after you in the gym? You might hurt yourself."

"I'll do fine."

That small tidbit of conversation lifts some of Shane's worries about his
friend. Collin is moving on along fine. He still has a clear direction of
what he wants to do with his life. He wishes that it stays that way.