The group aahed as Rina gave Decker a big smooch on his lips.

“Speech from the guest of honor,” Jacob said.

“Nah, you said it all for me,” Decker said. “I’m just basking.”

Jacob nudged Gabe, who’d been quiet throughout the evening. “Now’s your chance to talk or forever hold your peace.”

Gabe turned red and Decker said, “Yonkie, leave him alone.”

“Sorry,” Jacob said. “You know I’m just teasing you.”

Gabe said, “Actually, maybe I should say something.” The table grew quiet. The boy pushed his glasses up on his nose. “First, congratulations to Cindy and Koby.”

“Thank you,” Cindy said.

“You’re welcome,” Gabe said. “Second, happy birthday to the lieutenant.”

“Thank you very much,” Decker said.

“Sure,” Gabe said. “And third…” The boy tried to collect his thoughts. Ideas were buzzing around his brain like a chain saw. “Like…like even though my parents aren’t religious…at all.” Between the two of them, they’ve probably broken every commandment in the book. “Uh…anyway, I don’t know why, but they sent me to Catholic school.” A pause. “And we were taught stuff by the nuns…although I don’t remember that much of what they said.”

“That’s okay,” Hannah said. “We don’t listen to the rabbis.”

“Hannah!” Rina said.

“Just getting a little empathy going.”

Gabe smiled. “Anyway, the big thing…the nuns’ big thing…was all about being good and nice and turning the other cheek and things like that. But when I think about it, it wasn’t really about being good and nice. It was about being obedient. Being good…what does it mean? It’s like an abstract concept. Anyway, I didn’t really know what goodness meant because…frankly, my parents are a little crazy…they’re a lot crazy. And being good doesn’t seem to be a high priority for either one of them. Maybe my mom a little.” He shrugged. “Anyway, after staying with the Loo and Rina—and Hannah—for even this brief time, I’m getting an understanding what good might be. Honestly, Lieutenant and Rina and all of you, thanks for being so nice.”

No one spoke.

Again Gabe turned red. “That’s it.”

“Thank you, Gabe.” Decker saluted him. “I’ll make you the same deal that I did with all of my kids. You put up with me and I’ll put up with you.”

“I can handle that,” Gabe said.

Sammy checked his watch. It was almost nine. They had an eleven o’clock back to New York. “I hate to leave, but we need to get going. We have to return the car.”

At that moment, Decker’s cell buzzed in his pocket. He let it go once, then took it out and glanced at the window. It was Marge’s number. That sobered him up quickly. “This might be important. Do you mind if I take this?”

“Some things never change,” Rina said.