The Tipsy Gull, page 12
part #1 of Danny Barbosa Series
Cole shouted to his backup. “Mike, he’s a cop.”
Danny sensed this other cop was trigger happy. The anger abated, turning to self-preservation. He threw his hands in the air and stood motionless. “Don’t shoot, I’m unarmed.”
Danny cooperated with the officers and performed the field sobriety tests they administered him. He consented to blow in the portable breathalyzer, and it estimated his blood alcohol content to be .17, double the legal limit. He was cuffed and stuffed in the back of the patrol car, his long legs hiked up high. His gut wrenched and he swallowed to keep from puking in the back seat. He’d worked patrol for seven years and this scene was all too familiar; the chatter from the police radio, red and blue reflecting into the dark night, and the caged back seat. Unfortunately, this time he was on the wrong side of it.
He was booked into the county jail for driving under the influence of alcohol. All calls had to be made collect, so he dialed Tala’s number, and the operator asked him to state his name at the beep. “It’s me, Danny,” he said when prompted.
***
Tala planned to stay awake, but exhaustion overtook her. By one in the morning, she’d fallen asleep on the sofa while watching Home and Garden network. The flickering from the TV was the only light in the room. Zoe slept at her feet. The phone’s ring pierced the quiet room, and Tala shot up off the sofa. She grabbed her cell phone, noticing the time, 3:17 AM. “Danny?”
A robotic-voiced operator stated, “This is a collect call from the San Diego County jail from ‘It’s me, Danny’. To accept the call, please press one. To deny the call, press two or simply hang up.”
A tsunami of emotions washed over her: fear, shame, anger, and relief. With a shaking finger, she pressed one.
A moment later, Danny spoke, “Tala, I’m in jail. I was arrested for drunk driving…” He rambled on, but she didn’t hear anything after ‘drunk driving’.
How much more of this could she take? Would this lead to his getting help for the drinking or just another step in the madness? Tala squeezed her eyes and her face froze in a silent cry. She covered her mouth with her hand to muffle any cries that escaped. There were too many. With a sharp intake of air, she bawled into the phone.
***
Danny rested his forehead against the cell wall. A lump formed in his chest. Tala’s balling hit him like a sledge hammer. He swallowed hard and swept back the tears in his eyes. His cheeks burned hot and his voice broke “I have to be here at least eight hours. I’ll catch a taxi in the morning. I’m sorry, love. I’ll quit drinking now. I promise.”
“Thirty seconds,” the operator’s voice interrupted.
“For our marriage’s sake, I hope you mean that.” The line went dead.
Danny put the handset back in the cradle and a deputy led him back to a holding cell. He stared at the yellow walls and the three-foot high vanity wall around a chrome toilet. Inmates in nearby cells yelled. Danny shook his head. Is this what I’ve become? No better than the dogs I’ve thrown in here over the years. Before long, he lay on the small bench snoring.
The next morning he woke up. He looked at the bars and his eyes shot wide. Panic seized him and his heart raced. Why am I in jail? He strained for the memory, but last night was another black out. Bits and pieces floated into his mind. A bar. Kissing a young, blonde bartender. Cops yelling. The racking of a shotgun. The panic gripped harder. What did I do?
An hour later, Danny stood in front of the intake window. The releasing deputy handed him a copy of the arrest charges. He read the citation—23152a and b of the vehicle code. He shook his head. Disappointed, yet relieved it hadn’t been worse than drunk driving. He walked out of the county jail and soaked in the fresh air. A seagull landed on a bus bench in front of him. It cawed once before flying away. Danny could have sworn it only had one leg, the same as the gull at the beach, after he’d interviewed Nick. Goosebumps rose on the back of his neck. He shook it off and headed toward the taxi line.
The taxi dropped him off, and as he walked toward their apartment, Tala opened the door. The shame in her eyes hurt more than anything he’d felt before. He broke eye contact and walked past her. He sat on the recliner and buried his head in his hands, mumbling, “I’m sorry, love.”
“Sorry?” Tala stood over him, hands on her hips. “Do you have any idea what I went through last night?”
He looked up at her, the shake of his head barely discernible.
“You couldn’t even call me?” She sat on the edge of the sofa, hands on her knees, fingers steepled in front of her mouth. “Just a couple of weeks ago, you did this. Didn’t you learn, Danny? Are you trying to lose your job? Then what happens to us?”
Her words resonated home. Tala deserved better than being dragged down with him. “I wasn’t thinking, love.” As soon as the words came out, remorse flooded over him, followed by uncontrollable sobbing. The bartender’s kiss fluttered into his mind. He knew he had to see her again and hated himself more.
“Aye, Danny.” Tala sat next to him and held him to her bosom, like a baby, stroking his hair. “Shh, it’s okay.”
She drove him to the personnel office to retrieve his duty weapon, and then to his appointment with Gina Calderon, the union rep.
Gina advised him he’d get a couple of days suspension, but as long as he admitted to be an alcoholic, then it became a medical condition, more so than criminal and the department couldn’t fire him. He tensed up, huffing a breath of denial, but she re-iterated it didn’t matter if he was or not, the point was he couldn’t be fired if he said he was. She also advised him to attend AA meetings daily and get a Court card signed as verification.
Meeting over, he met Tala in the lobby where she fidgeted with a pen. He passed on the news to her. She braved a smile and nodded. “You were telling me the other day that Paul quit drinking, right? Maybe he can take you to an AA meeting.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll call him when we get home.”
Tala parked downtown, and they entered the small, brick building a couple of blocks from the Courthouse. The plaque on the wall read: Spearing, Feldman, and Suarez—Attorneys at Law. Danny knew Chris Spearing for years from when they bowled together, and he had a reputation as a very good attorney.
Chris sat behind a huge oak desk and reviewed the police report. “Cole’s an eighteen-year veteran and did everything textbook, you’re not going to beat this. But if your jobs in jeopardy, then we’ll fight it. Otherwise, you’ll go to AA meetings daily, admit you’re an alcoholic, and hope for leniency.”
Bullshit! Why was everyone labeling him an alcoholic? One night of driving drunk and now he was an alcoholic. He bit his lip and explained that he had called in a panic, but the Union rep assured him his job was safe. He didn’t want to spend too much if he was going to be found guilty anyway. Chris stated he understood and offered Danny a discount, since they’d bowled with each other for so many years. Relief flooded Danny. He’d have a reputable attorney and it wouldn’t break the bank. Chris explained that he’d take care of everything and Danny didn’t even need to go to Court.
Before heading home, Tala dropped him off at the tow yard to pick up his Camaro. He cringed at the thick layer of dust coating it.
Back at the house, Jessa stood with her back against the counter, her hair in a pony tail. Behind her, Tala mixed cookie batter, which flooded the room with the smell of cinnamon and yeast.
“Dad, this is serious stuff.”
“I know it is.” He lowered his head in shame.
“I want you to promise me next time you decide to have a beer with your friends after work you call mom or a taxi. But do not drive.” She stood in front of him with her hands on her hips. “Is that understood?”
Tala spooned the dough on a cookie sheet and raised her eyebrows at Danny.
He knew what she was thinking. Even Jessa knew better than him. “I understand.”
“Good.” Jessa turned around. “Mom, would you like to add anything?”
“No, I think you did a good job covering it.”
Great, there are two of them now.
.
After dinner, Tala downloaded the pictures from the zoo. Danny sat beside her at the kitchen table, relieved the two of them had let up on the drunken driving lectures. Jessa lay on the sofa in the living room while texting, a big smile on her face.
Danny nudged Tala and whispered, “I think Jessa’s texting that boy, Cameron, you mentioned?”
“Why do you say that?”
“She keeps giggling and doing that hair thing you used to do when we dated.”
Tala frowned. “What hair thing?”
“Watch,” Danny nodded toward Jessa with his head. .
After a moment, Jessa read a message and giggled, then tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“See, told you.”
“I never did that,” Tala said.
That night, Danny sat at the edge of the bed and watched Tala undress. The curve of her hips, with the same olive color as the rest of her, gave her a perpetual tan. Her bare breasts were exposed for a second until she slipped her nightshirt on. The thin fabric did little to hide her body. “You’re as sexy as the day I met you.”
Tala blushed and pushed her hair back over her ear. “I was looking forward to using that hot tub. We’ll have to make sure we buy a house with one.”
Danny patted the bed next to him.
Tala shook her head. “Let’s take a shower first.”
Danny raised his eyebrow and scooped Tala over his shoulder. She screamed in delight as he carried her into the bathroom, and into the shower. He climbed in after her, and turned the water on, ignoring her cries of protest. The cold blast hit him in the face. Tala’s thin nightshirt soaked up the water and her dark nipples strained against the material. Her wet hair gathered at her shoulders. He kissed her hungrily, as she struggled to undo his shirt buttons. She gave up and went to the trousers. Those came off easier. Danny picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him. Kissing passionately, they made love under the cascade of water.
Back in the bedroom, Tala stood nude, looking through her dresser. She slipped on a pink Victoria Secrets night shirt.
“I’m a pretty lucky guy.” Danny lay on his side and rested his head on his hand.
“I know.” Tala smiled.
“Come here.” He pulled the sheet off his nude body. They made love again, falling asleep entwined in each other’s arms.
The next morning, Danny awoke and headed to the kitchen where the smell of fresh peppers, garlic, and onions lingered in the room. Tala had already left for work, but he knew she had made pancit canton for breakfast, one of his favorite Filipino dishes. Hawthorne called earlier to inform him to take the day off and handle any personal business he had to attend to. He’d already took care of everything yesterday, but he thanked the lieutenant and figured he could watch the NFL network all day since tonight’s Thursday Night Football game between the Panthers and Broncos was the season opener.
After enjoying his breakfast, Danny called his friend Paul and told him about the DUI, and how his attorney wanted him to attend AA. It was Paul’s day off and he said he’d pick Danny up before noon. Danny dressed in khakis and a Charger’s polo shirt. Looking in the mirror, he thought he looked like a Charger’s coach. The room would be filled with a bunch of homeless drunks, this wouldn’t cut it. He changed to a pair of sweats, and t-shirt, then donned a cap.
At 11:30, Paul arrived in his cherry red Mustang and they rode in silence for a while before he brought up bowling. “Our league starts Monday and I need one more bowler. We could use you as our anchor, Danny.”
Danny missed the competitiveness of the scratch bowling leagues, but as a Homicide detective his schedule was too hectic. Then again, he did need more activities, so his life wasn’t always focused on work. He told Paul he’d think about it and let him know before Monday.
The conversation switched to the DUI and Danny told him all about Jenny, at least the parts that he hadn’t blacked out. Like a good friend Paul listened without passing judgment. He suggested they have lunch afterward where they could talk more and catch up. He pulled into a church parking lot and Danny frowned. His wife was the religious one, not him. “Is AA a religious thing?”
Paul explained that it was a spiritual program, not religious and how there were over a hundred meeting locations throughout the city. Danny was surprised for he’d never seen any advertisements for them.
Getting out of the car, Paul explained that Danny would announce himself as a newcomer until he had thirty days of sobriety.
Thirty days? Wow, I’ll be announcing my name forever. Danny reluctantly followed Paul inside. Everyone knew each other. People shook hands and hugged each other. Two guys approached Danny and shook his hand.
Danny whispered to Paul. “The bigger one looks familiar; do I know him?”
“I don’t think so, why?”
“He acted like he knew me.”
Paul explained that’s how it was. Everybody in the room had a common problem, therefore it was easy to bond. Danny frowned, unsure if this was for him. At least it’d help him with his job and the courts. He followed Paul to the back and fixed himself a cup of coffee.
About three dozen men and women filled the room. It was nothing like he’d expected. Most of them looked normal, like him. He wished he hadn’t changed clothes. Paul hugged a few women and introduced Danny to them. Danny raised a brow. Was this why he attended every day? He looked around and read the sayings on the wall: Keep coming back, One day at a time, K.I.S.S.—Keep it simple, stupid.
Danny took a seat next to Paul and at the top of the hour, a woman at the front of the room rang a little bell. A hush fell over the crowd. “Hi, my name is Leann and I’m an alcoholic.”
“Hi, Leann,” everyone responded.
She read a passage out of a book: Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem . . .
“Before we begin, any newcomers in their first thirty days of sobriety, would you please introduce yourself by first name only? This is not to embarrass you but to let us get to know you better.”
After a few seconds, a man in the front said, “My name’s Lyle, I’m an alcoholic.” The crowd responded with a fervor that surprised Danny as greetings echoed around the room.
“I’m Honey and I’m an alcoholic-addict,” a young girl who looked barely twenty said quietly. She received the same reaction.
Paul nudged Danny and he cleared his throat. “My name’s Danny.” His voice was louder than he’d intended. He wanted to add, ‘I’m an alcoholic’, like the others, but he didn’t feel he was. He hesitated a moment, while the group stared at him expectantly. Then one at a time, they started clapping and welcomed him. This sent unexpected chills through his body. Paul was right. He knew nobody in this room, but the smiles made him feel good about being here.
When the meeting was over, Danny followed Paul to his Mustang. They would leave for lunch from there. While AA probably wasn’t his thing, it was nice to know that real alcoholics had a place to hang out.
CHAPTER 16
Tala worked out one of her favorite patients. “Okay, Mary, let’s squeeze the ball ten times.”
Mary grimaced. “How about I give you five?”
Tala’s mind was elsewhere, and she didn’t answer. Danny’s drinking was getting out of hand and now he’d been arrested. She worried about him because his mom was an alcoholic and Tala knew genetics played a part.
After five squeezes, Mary said, “Nine…Ten. Whew.”
“You’re doing great,” Tala said absently, then she thought about their love making last night. Danny had been more passionate, and earlier in the evening had promised to cut down on his drinking. She smiled to herself.
Mary’s hour of therapy was up, and Tala wheeled her back into her room, then took her lunch break. She checked her voice mail. Her brother, Jojo, had called from northern California, asking her to call back. He said it was urgent. Oh God, now what happened? She stepped outside and sat on a vacant bench.
“Ate Tala …” Jojo addressed her in the Filipino tradition for sister. His voice broke. “Mama’s got pneumonia and they can’t get the fever to break. Doctors give her a fifty-fifty chance.”
Tala’s insides twisted into a knot. Her shoulders slumped and she sank down in her seat, burying her head in her hand, and fighting back the tears. As the eldest and only female she’d normally take charge, but the stress she was under with Danny’s drinking had reduced her to a helpless child. “What should we do, Jojo?”
“I’m going to fly home and visit. I haven’t been back in a few years. Do you want to come with me?”
This was a bad time to leave. Jessa was starting school in a couple of weeks and Danny was working a big case. She agonized over it. Oh, God. What should she do? She’d never forgive herself if her mama died before she could see her. The thought of Mama dying caused her heart to thump louder. She told her brother she’d let him know later today.
Tala took a deep breath and returned to work, her lunch untouched. Her head whirled. She couldn’t concentrate on work as thoughts of her mama kept intruding. Tala knocked on her supervisor’s door and explained to Susan about needing time off. Halfway through the conversation, she broke down and wept. Susan comforted her and insisted that Tala leave work early. The Family Medical Leave Act would protect her position.
Tala arrived home to an empty apartment. She read the notes on the fridge. Jessa was at the mall, and Danny had attended an AA meeting with Paul. She hoped it would help him. If I do leave, I need to catch up on laundry first. With that thought, Tala gathered his dirty clothes, and like always, checked the pockets before washing. She pulled a piece of paper out of his blue pants. The scent of a flowery perfume drifted into her nose. The hairs on her arm rose. Fingers trembling, she unfolded the note. She took a deep breath and read the message in pink hand-writing. Tala’s eyes widened, and she collapsed on the bed. Not this, not now.
