Old Friends

"Hiya Frank."

Frank turned his head to the left and looked at someone he hadn't seen in a very long time.  The man was in his mid seventies, just as Frank was, but unlike Frank this man was wearing a corduroy jacket. It had been 30 years, but Frank still recognized his old friend...

"Mornin Dean.  Been expectin ya."

"I know ya have Frank."

Dean took a seat on the now warm bench next to Frank.  The view was spectacular.  The bench overlooked the Hudson river that ran through the middle of New York, and the newly rising sun was casting a brilliant light onto its surface.  Things couldn't be more perfect.

So he is actually going to go through with what we agreed upon.  Frank was not wearing a jacket.  There was no need to.  It was now around 8 AM and in the middle of June.  Another difference between him and his friend Dean is he had no reason to conceal anything. They had given each other their word 30 years ago, and a man that wasn't true to his word wasn't really a man at all.

"How's the family Dean?"

Dean looked at him and  smile broke across his face.  “Family’s good Frank.  I have eight grandchildren now.”

"Eight!"  Frank laughed harder and longer than he had in years.  Probably close to 30of them if he thought about it.  "How in the hell did you end up with that kind of a load?  You only have two kids of your own!"

Dean smile stayed as he began to chuckle "Well Ben only had two of his own, but Betty went and married a Catholic.  She had to convert to do so.  You know how those Catholics are about birth control."

"Well ain't that a hoot!"  Frank slapped his knee and continued to laugh.  "It's a damn good thing you made a good living!"

"Shit, I invested better than others, but every Christmas still damn near breaks the bank." Both of them continued to laugh until tears started to form in their eyes.  The laughter came to a slow halt, and then there was silence as both men stared out at the water.  Usually that silence after such a hearty laugh is awkward, but not for these two men.  Just like the view, the reintroduction was perfect.

"How's Shirley?". As Frank asked this, Dean's smile faltered a little.

"She's got cancer.  Not the serious kind, but at our age not much isn't serious.  She finally stopped asking if I'd heard from you about ten years ago, but she still smiles any time your name is brought up."

Frank smile faltered as well.  "That cancer shit sucks.  I'm sorry to hear of it.  I'm glad she still thinks fond of me though.  I take it you never told her what happened?"

Dean looked as if he'd just been hit. "Why the fuck would I do a thing like that?". His mouth hung open in shock after he asked the question.

"Good point.  Sorry I asked."

Their gaze returned to the river as the silence returned.  This part of the river was always clear of people at this time of day.  It's why these two always met here back in their heyday.  It's also why Frank chose this spot for what needed done.

"You ok with doing this?"  Frank kept his gaze on the river as he asked this.  He heard the sound of Dean reaching into his jacket as he looked at the water's reflection.

"Gave you my word didn't I."  Dean had.  He brought out the item he was reaching for, which was a .38 equipped with a silencer.  Frank could smell the gun oil even with the wind blowing.  He didn't have to look at it to know that it was brand new and would only be used once.  He suddenly fell into a memory of the moment that brought these two close friends to this point...

It was 30 years ago and raining as Frank and Dean argued in an abandoned warehouse.

"How the fuck did you miss!" Frank's heart was beating at a rate it hadn't in a very long time.  As one of the world's top assassins he had been trained to keep it under control.  Training could eat shit for now.  "It was a clear fucking shot!"

"I don't know!  It was a clear day with little wind, I've shot twice that range a thousand times!". Dean was crying, as he should be.  He was commissioned to take out one of the leading political figures in a very volatile country.  His shot missed and now the target was far underground.  He called Frank immediately after he missed.  And now here they were.

"You know the Organization won't let you live for missing.  Or your family."

"I know!  What I don't know is what the fuck to do!"  Dean fully broke down at this point.  He had a beautiful wife and two kids.  All gone over one mistake.

Frank looked at his friend.  He couldn't let this happen.  "I missed that shot."

Dean looked up shocked "What?!"

"I have no family, and I love the hell out of yours."

"Frank I can't let you do this!"

"You can and you will!  But you have to give me your word on something though..."

"...I told you I would run after taking the blame, but I didn't want to run forever."

Dean looked up from his gaze.  "You told me to meet you here in thirty years so I could be the one to kill you."

"And here we are." Frank looked at his old friend.  "Been a pleasure knowing you old buddy.  Love your family more every day."

Dean put the gun to his friend's chest as a tear ran down his cheek.  "Pleasure is all mine friend.  Thank you for all you have done."

Dean pulled the trigger and no one heard a sound.  Frank's body sat peacefully on the bench.  Dean wept.