Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Two: Baby Steps

The following morning after checking in with Tommy Jay met Parker down in the hotel restaurant.  He wanted to make his friend aware of Tommys' unease around medical professionals.  After explaining the aftermath of Tommys' disappearance and his meeting with Hector the Psychologist shook his head sadly.

"If this Hector had taken him to a hospital that young mans' life would have been much less traumatic ...," Parkers' tone held a hint of anger at the lost opportunity to save suffering.
"I know that," the auburn haired man agreed readily after taking a drink of his coffee, "but from what little we know the guy was genuinely trying to look after Tommy and he clearly did ...,"
"How do you know that?'
"The way Tommy speaks about him.  He's clearly still dealing with the loss even if Hector was killed two years ago.  I suspect if Hector hadn't found him when he did Tommy might have wound up in a mighty dangerous situation.  Plenty of people out there looking to exploit kids  .....,"
"But you don't actually know what happened all these years," Parker noted realistically, "you're making assumptions."
"Yes, based on what Tommy has told us and his obvious fondness for Hector."
"So what exactly do you want me to do?"
"We're on borrowed time," the Detective got down to the real crux of the matter, "Voight is holding off notifying the family for now that we found Tommy .....,"
"But ....,"
"Doc as I explained when we spoke yesterday it's complicated.  The Kid doesn't know whether he's coming or going.  He recalls very little. I'm hoping you can find a way to help him remember his life before the streets.  Right now he doesn't trust that there's a family waiting for him ...,"
"It's not that simple a task," the New Yorker warned.
"Don't expect miracles. Just want him to have more facts before he decides on returning to the streets."
"That's a possibility?"
"We can't  ..... and I won't  .... force him to do anything he's not comfortable with.  It has to be his decision."
"How will his parents react to that?"
"You're the Psychologist," Jay tossed back stifling a yawn.
"You getting any sleep?"
"Doc you're here for Tommy, and I appreciate it, but don't be concerned about me."
"Can't I worry about a friend?" Parker asked  evenly.
"We're friends?" Jay winked mischievously and rose after checking the time, "I'll bring Tommy down."
"Sure," Parker knew the door had yet again been closed on the other mans' health issues but luckily he was a patient and perseverent man!

Up in the newly found mans' room Jay found himself dealing with a very nervous companion.  Tommy had dressed in the new jeans Al had purchased and his slightly damp hair attested to another shower.  Getting cleaned up and dressed in fresh attire however did not seem to have alleviated the mans' unease so he paced up and down.

"Hey Tommy take a seat a minute," Jay directed gently as he took a seat by the small table at the window and waited patiently.
"What?" Tommy finally sat down reluctantly.
"No one is putting you under pressure.   You don't want to meet Peter thar's up to you," the Detective explained with a shrug conveying a casualness he did mot feel, "I can tell him there's been a change in plans."
"He's here already?"
"Down in the restaurant looking forward to brunch.  He'll get fed anyway so he won't mind the trip," Jay assured with a grin.
"Do you ...... trust him?" Tommy finally asked hesitantly.
"Yes I do. He's a good friend.  I haven't known him long but he's honest and dependable.," Jay replied then added sincerely, "I wasn't kidding when I said I don't like Doctors. That's the truth and my brother is one! Thing is though like any group there are good and bad ones. Peter is a good man."
"Hector said .....,"
"Hector unfortunately must have dealt with bad medical professionals and that clouded his judgment ...,"
"Hector was a good guy!"
"I'm not saying he wasn't. All I'm saying is you're a smart young man. You know the odds are not all Doctors are going to be bad."
"What if he can't help me remember?"
"Well the way I see it you're going to be in the same boat you're in now.  Trying to recall your past won't do any harm and it might do sone good."
"Would you do it?"
"Yes I think I would," the green eyed man stated candidly after contemplating the question, "there's nothing to lose and everything to gain."
"Guess you're right."
"Hey don't sound so surprised," the Detective chuckled glad of a chance to lighten the mood, "I'm right about a lot of things  ...... except the things I'm wrong about!"
"Now you sound like Adam," Tommy grinned,  the previous night Al had given the young man a detailed and somewhat comical rundown on the other members of the Unit.
"He'd say that's a compliment!"
"If I want can I leave?" Tommy asked his mirth replaced with a tense look.
"Yes. No ome will make you do anything you don't want to," Jay patiently reiterated, already hearing Voights' expletives reigning down if the youngest Carson did indeed take off.
"No .... that's not what I meant," the blonde shook his head.
"Oh you mean if you're not comfortable with Peter?"
"Yeah ...,"
"Of course. You can come back here.  You have your key," Jay looked towards the door, "you want to give it a go?"
"Okay."