The Law, To Serve and Protect

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The Law,​

To Serve and Protect​

(Another chapter)



They had reached the outside of the subdivision and it was just as Dolores had described it, a small riot. Jim and his group were in the street and they could hear them yelling names and accusations at the residents in Alex’s neighborhood who just stood there looking from just inside there neighborhood, unaffected as if they were a pillar of ice. Reuben then spotted his son and yelled, "There's Junior!"

Junior was just a few yards behind the pack headed up by Jim. Alex parked and Reuben ran to his son.

"Junior! What are you doing here? Go home!"

A young man named Brian overheard him, then turned to Junior and sneered, "You see what we are talking about? They just want to keep us under their control."

Reuben was fully aware that Brian did not have that deep, abiding love that a father has for his child. To Brian Junior was just a token and an allied in their crusade against their neighbors.

With an all-consuming, passionate love for his child, Reuben quickly turned to Brian and sternly addressed him, "This is my boy. Unless you have spent yourself loving, caring, and providing for him, you keep your mouth shut! You don't see me and have no idea what I'm about!"

The commotion caught the attention of the others. They then began to close in on Reuben. Alex quickly moved to stand in between them. "Get out of the way Alex!" Jim yelled. "We're going to take care of this traitor once and for all."

"Do you hear yourself? Let it go." Alex said and his manner was as one set in stone, but there was a different essence about his resolve than the one coming from the residents in his neighborhood. Jim then turned on him.

"Do you hear me!" he yelled back, his anger now turning to rage. He was so mad that he took a swipe at Alex who just stood there allowing the young man to vent his anger out at him. Alex had known Jim for some time for Jim used to live in his neighborhood. Alex felt that his intentions, along with many others, was to do good, but it was poisoned by bitterness and resentment that sprang from a heart that had not forgiven others. In this darkened state they didn't see their neighbors in the light of Christ and the enemy was taken advantage of their unhealed wounds. Jim's leadership gift and skills were also being used to serve his agenda. They had lost their way and Jim was in way over his head. Alex could feel the Lord's great love and compassion for Jim, one that he shared.

Just then the police officers who worked as guards on the premises arrived on scene and took the angry crowd to the side. Alex heard Reuben talking to his son behind him.

"Junior, look at this, how Alex and I have given ourselves repeatedly to help them and they turn on us. Is this what you want? Is this what you want to be?!"

Junior was clearly shook up by the whole incident. "No," he said in sorrow. "I don't want that," but after a brief pause he continued more aggressively, "But you treat me like a kid, always telling me what to do. Daddy, I'm not a kid anymore!"

Wearisome of this shortsighted vision that had also impaired his son from seeing him, Reuben was now clearly trying to keep his anger in check. "You want to be a man? You want to be a man? Well then, I'll let you be A MAN, but with it you will take the responsibility of A MAN, and pay the consequences like A MAN." Reuben then turned and yelled to the officers, "Hey, you forgot one over here!"

"Daddy," Junior was alarmed. "What are you doing? I don't believe this."

"Well, you said you don't want to be treated like a child and with adulthood comes greater accountability and responsibility. You ready for that part of being a man?"

"Ok, ok. You made your point. Can we just go now?"

"In a minute. Now please, go to the car and wait for us."

Officer Cassidy then approached the men and addressed Alex. "Hey Alex, another eventful night I see."

"Yes it is Dan. Sorry for all the commotion."

Dan was nonchalant. "Hey, it keeps me in business. Between Sunday and tonight, think I may end up with some overtime. I was just on break reading the sports section on the upcoming Super Bowl when I got the call. As I was driving up I saw Jim strike you. You've got a witness. Do you want to press charges?"

"No, just see that they've cooled off and settled down before you send them on their way so they don't do anything stupid.

Alex then turned to Reuben and asked, "That sound good to you Reuben?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Reuben," Dan greeted enthusiastically. "Esta todo bien?"

"Yea Dan, just a disagreement with my boy."

"Dan gave him an understanding nod. "He reminds me of you. Hey, you remember the run-ins we had back in the day?"

"Oh do I . . . helped me see the light."

They both laughed at the memory. Dan then asked, "You still rooting for the Packers?"

"You got that right!"

"They're going down," Dan jokingly mocked.

Laughing in turn at what he saw as a most ridiculous prediction, along with Dan't steadfast certainty, Reuben shot back, "We'll see about that!"

Dan then addressed both men, "We'll hang close tonight until the dust settles. Go in peace."

"Thanks Dan," Alex said.

"Hey, no problem. You know the guys are still hoping you'll rejoin the force Alex. It isn't always easy to find those who won't abuse their position, and stick within their jurisdiction. That whole martyr thing you had going doesn't look very appealing. Sure you won't reconsider?"

Alex let out a hearty chuckle. "You know I have a great respect for the position and we did some great work together. Where would society be without the law?"

"That's right," Dan commended, visibly pleased with Alex response.

"Not everyone recognizes the role we've been assigned in society as a good one, but you've been on our side and know the good work we do. Others see it when our services protect them from those driven by carnal desires . . . and then there are those like Reuben who get tired of imprisonment and opt for a better life. Isn't that right Reuben?"

"Yep, your pretty fast for an old geezer," Reuben threw in for old times' sake. That's what Reuben used to call him back in the day when he would mock Dan."

Dan couldn't help but chuckle at the memory, then turned back to Alex. "I still remember how you would rack them in. You have a gift for it."

"Yes," Alex reminisced, "but I'm where I'm supposed to be at this stage in my life. I appreciate the invitation though."

Dan nodded, then looked back at the others and said, "It doesn't look like we'll be forced into retirement just yet. You know how to get a hold of me if you change your mind."

He then addressed both men. "You guys are going to join us at the main clubhouse for the big Super Bowl bash this Sunday night, yes?"

"Absolutely," Reuben replied emphatically. "I wouldn't miss seeing you eat your words when the Packers sweep the scoreboard!"

Dan chuckled at that. "I see your still a dreamer Reuben. See you then." He then started walking towards the others.

Reuben couldn't help but laugh himself. Then, as one who would have the last laugh, he shouted, "Hey old man, my dreams are coming true!"

Turning around Dan smiled and gave him a thumbs up. "If you ever need help with your boy, feel free to give me a hollar. I may be an old geezer, but I haven't lost my touch yet." He then caught up with the other officers that were still with Jim and his group.

Reuben turned to Alex and said, "I don't doubt that. Maybe that isn't such a bad idea. Better him than some of those other overzealous yahoos they have on the force that don't realize they are to serve us, not the opposite way around."

"He is something else," Alex agreed through a chuckle.

"Yea, a real pistol. Sounds like you were a real pistol too," Reuben teased as they made their way back to the truck. Alex once again drove as Reuben spoke with his son.

"Junior, I don't want you breathing a word of this to your mother, ok? We can all discuss this when we've had time to sleep on it."

Junior nodded in agreement.

"Do you need some time before we go back into the house?"

"No dad, I'm ok. After a moment he added, "Thank you."

"I love you Junior. Don't you forget that or let anyone tell you otherwise. And don't forget to thank Alex too. He didn't have to put himself out there for us like that, you know."

"Thank you Alex."

"It's going to be ok Junior, you'll see," Alex reassured him.