Caught Up

The lobby to the precinct hasn’t changed in the seventeen years since I was here last. The walls are still white, the tile is still blue and the pictures are pretty much the same as I remember. Of course the booking clerk is different. I sit in one of the cheaply made chairs watching the second hand of the wall clock tick its way past the eight. I had forgotten how boring this was. I hear the door to the left of the booking counter open and dress shoes clopping on the tile.
“Mr. Parker.” An all too familiar voice addresses me. I look up to see my old parole officer staring at me with that stupid grin I used to hate.
“Sargent. How are you doing?” I ask, standing and offering my hand.
“It’s Captain now.” He corrects me, jostling his folders to shake my hand. “I’m good. I… uh,” he leans in close and lowers his voice a bit. “I never thought I’d see you in here again.”
“No, it’s not like that. I’m here for my son.”
“Oh? What did we book him for?”
“Public indecency.” I admit. “I guess he was dared to moon a couple of your officers.” I can’t help but smile.
“Well,” He laughs, “I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“No, he’s not anything like me. He’s a good kid.”
“So were you. You just got caught up in bad situations.”
“Yeah, trouble always did have a way of finding me, didn’t it?”
“Well, you turned out alright. I’m sure he’ll be just fine.” He consoles, “It’s good seeing you again.” He turns back towards the booking counter.
“Hey, Captain.” I say. He stops. “Thank you. For keeping me straight back then.”
“You take care, Mr. Parker.” He grins.