A Mile in My Shoes

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Yeah you’ve a point, but if the world is going to end I’m on the side of the cockroach, those things are built to survive.” He joked as he watched the world pass by in the window of the car. Driving himself around he wasnt all that great at seeing the world, mostly focused on no getting into an accident but it was good to take the time to look. The transition between places was far too painfully obvious as he wondered just where Mattie was driving them to.

“I wish there was more that could be done for them, the hard working people seem to get pushed out. I can’t say I’d be all that willing to move or try to if I owned my own house here. It doesn’t matter what the street I guess, each one has it’s bad points.” Kev added glancing out at the houses as he felt like he wanted to do a lot more than just sit and look at it.

Glancing at the house Kev listened, “Ninety two and keeps tabs for you? Wow who is this woman?” He asked with a grin, in this neighbourhood Kev wasnt sure he wanted to cross her at all. Kev took the bag handed to him as he nodded, “Oh really, well we’ll have to let her tell us why.” He added grinning as he followed Mattie up the steps as he saw the wobbly railing.

“Yeah can’t have Mrs. Sherwood relying on that.” Kev said as he tried to inspect it a little, “Hammer and nails should keep it in place and I’ll see about a more permanent solution for it.” He added not sure what that would be but he could figure something out for it.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Why what?" Mattie asked, "Paul Newman? Geeze, I'd say because he's handsome and suave!" Laughing, she knocked on the door, which was answered a moment later by a petite, blue-haired lady with sharp grey eyes. "Mrs. Sherwood, good afternoon! I have a companion today, this is Kev Allison, and he wants to know why Paul Newman."

"Why?" The old woman's eyes lit up. "Why, he's handsome!" she declared, "and such a gentleman! Like you!" And with that, Mrs. Sherwood took Kev by the arm and led him into the house, patting his hand. "I just made some cookies, you'll have some, of course!"

The living room of the house seemed frozen in time, as if someone had accumulated treasures from the early 20th century, then just stopped in 1960. Still, as cluttered as it was, and even with a good layer of dust over everything, it was relatively clean.

"Do you want coffee with your cookies? They're chocolate snickerdoodles!

Kev Allison ,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“I’ll have to remember that.” Kev teased grinning as he saw the petite blue haired lady with the sharp green eyes. Not a woman he would assume to be messed with at all. For some reason he figured she suited the neighbourhood, the kind of person who knew all and no one would really challenge. “Hello Mrs. Sherwood.” Kev said smiling as he nodded. “OH I wouldn’t quite say like me but I’ll take it.” He added as he glanced at Mattie.

The minute she took him by the arm he walked with her as he smiled grinning. “Oh sure, cookies are my favourite food in the world.” He added grinning, well hanging around with Mattie certainly meant he could get cookies from all kinds of places he figured. It was like stepping back in time, it wasnt that he disliked it in fact it was pretty good to step into the sixties.

It was a lived in house, unlike his own that was more a barely there home and when he was it was pretty much just a shell to live in. “Now chocolate snickerdoodles, sure coffee would be great but why don’t you let me make it?” Kev offered smiling, “Then we can pick your brains about the goings on around here?” Well it seemed like she was the one in the know about what was happening around there.

Even if she didnt snickerdoodles were great and he wasnt about to turn down cookies on the grounds of health or really anything. It seemed like it was starting to be a very good day.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Oh, he's handsome and sweet!" the old woman gushed, looking at Mattie with a smile, "a real keeper you have here, dearie!"

A hot blush touched Mattie's cheeks, and she shook her head. "Um...well...maybe. You just sit, Mrs. Sherwood, and I'll get the cookies." As she said 'sit', Koda did just that, beside the old woman, knowing he was going to get doggie pets!

In the kitchen, Mattie found a plate, then started setting out warm cookies that were still on a sheet beside the oven. "I told you," she commented to Kev, "she's sweet, but a little...eccentric!"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev laughed and smiled at the older woman, well he had a new fan which was nice. He grinned at Mattie when she spoke about being a keeper. Well that was up to Mattie though really Kev felt he was the lucky one to even have someone like Mattie look at him. “Sure Mrs. Sherwood, take a seat and then we can chat about what’s been happening on your street.” Kev said as he saw Koda sit down beside the woman.

Safe enough to leave him there he thought as Kev followed Mattie to the kitchen, the cookies smelled amazing. Honestly Kev wasnt the sort of guy to turn down cookies but still they seemed great just by the smell.

“I like sweet and eccentric.” He said grinning, “But when she calls me handsome she can’t be that eccentric right?” He added chuckling, “So think you will be able to keep me for the rest of the day or are you just going to leave me here with Mrs. Sherwood to fend off the locals?” Kev had no doubted he wanted to see what the rest of the day had to offer but so far it was turning out to be pretty fantastic.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

“I like sweet and eccentric.” He said grinning, “But when she calls me handsome she can’t be that eccentric right?” He added chuckling, “So think you will be able to keep me for the rest of the day or are you just going to leave me here with Mrs. Sherwood to fend off the locals?”

"I'd leave you here to be her slave and do chores for her," Mattie chuckled, then she shook her head. "And just remember, there is a fine line between being eccentric and having dementia!"

She gave him a goofy grin, then set out the cookies on a tray. "That coffee ready?" She gave him a sweet smile, then headed back to the living room, where she set down the tray.

"So, Mrs. Sherwood, what news do you have for us?"

Taking a cookie, the old lady raised an eyebrow, giving them a sly grin. "Well...Ruben Shanks has been slinking around lately, peddling his demon drugs, no doubt, although he's careful, I think he thinks they're watching him...the vampires, you know." Her tone was serious. "And that Angela woman, she's been getting into my head again, I think she's trying to get information, but I wear my hat when she's here!"

Proudly, she reached for a foil hat that was sitting on a table behind the couch. "This is the best thing Officer Mattie ever gave me! You should have her make you one, young man, but she'll be able to read your thoughts anyway!" She laughed then. "At least, if you keep looking at her like that!"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev laughed as Mattie spoke of leaving him there, “hmm she has cookies, it might not be so tough.” He teased grinning as he nodded, he was leaning toward eccentric right now given that she seemed like the sweetest lady going. Grabbing the coffee as he followed Mattie back through to Mrs. Sherwood he hoped that she had some good information. She seemed ike the sort to have it.

Watching her talking about Ruben Shanks, yeah he figured she was all there given that demon drugs were a really nice way of putting it until the mention of vampires. Sure he had called many people that in his time but things seemed to take an interesting turn there. He couldn’t deny that he was a little disheartened hearing about Angela too but then people remembered things in strange ways, everything was different to each one of them.

Maybe vampires were just literal blood suckers and who knew what Angela was but Kev sat and smiled as he nodded to her. Just when he figured it couldnt get much worse, the foil had sealed the fate of the lady. “Mattie gave it to you?” Kev questioned surprised that Mattie would do it but who knew what was going on now. There were foil hats and cookies and vampires, really did a story need to get much better.

“Looking at her like what?” Kev asked turning a little red as he smiled, “But sure I’ll make sure to ask her to make me one, you know just in case. Can’t have Angela reading my mind or Mattie for that matter.” He joked chuckling as he glanced at Mattie again wondering what was going on right then. Foil hats weren’t a new thing to him but it was different hearing about it to seeing it. Especially ones made by cops.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"I'll do that as soon as we leave here," Mattie chuckled, although her cheeks were bright red. "What is Angela doing these days?" she asked, the question almost off-hand. "She still staying in all those places?"

"Different every night." The old woman snorted and shook her head. "You know that one, can't settle, no siree! Been putting on that dark makeup again, I don't know why girls do that. She's been over there in Tatooine, so I hear."

"Well, some think they need to look better, I guess." Mattie shrugged, then laughed. "Not me, I'm gorgeous to start! Now Kev there, he might do with a little eye-shadow!"

Mrs. Sherwood laughed. "I don't know, he's got really pretty eyes and those long lashes...No, no, don't mess with God's handiwork!"

It was all Mattie could do not to burst into laughter as she stood. "Well, we'll see about that. But now we need to get back out there so people don't complain that we're wasting taxpayer money!"

"You do that..and be careful out there." The woman stood and patted Kev on the cheek. "Be a pity to hurt that one!"

"I agree." Mattie snapped Koda's leash on him. "I'll be around next week."

"Bring him, dear, and I'll have homemade chocolate cake for you!" She winked at Kev then made a 'kissy face'.

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev sat and listened to the exchange between Mattie and Mrs. Sherwood. It was nice to see someone take the time to talk to her though Angela, that name was new as he listened to Mrs. Sherwood talk about the where she stayed. “Tatooine?” Kev questioned not really figuring Chicago for the setting of Star Wars recently but then again he didnt get out of the office much.

The make-up side, it wasnt really his thing either given he didnt know much about it until Mattie mentioned eye shadow. “Oh yeah, I’ll make sure to get some tonight and work on my eyes.” Kev said rolling his eyes lightly at her, “But true, you don’t need any makeup at all.” Kev added grinning at Mattie as he laughed hearing Mrs. Sherwood.

“Thank you for that Mrs. Sherwood, glad to know someone appreciates me as I am.” Kev joked grinning as he smiled shrugging. “Yeah those pesky taxes and all.” Kev added grinning as Kev nodded to her smiling as he laughed. “Not planning to find anything too dangerous.” Kev added smiling as he stepped toward Mattie for a moment. “Ohh chocolate cake, you’ll spoil me.” Kev added as he leaned in to peck Mrs. Sherwoods cheek lightly before he pulled away to Mattie.

“See you another time and thanks for the help and cookies.” Kev said smiling as he wasnt sure what to make of her at all. The fact he was in two minds about running out of there or staying to try and help understand her a little more.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

Koda jumped up and followed Mattie and Kev out, his tail wagging. Sure, it was fun to chomp on bad guys, but it was fun, too, to visit with friends, almost as fun as hanging his head out the window, looking for cats and sniffing all the amazing aromas of the city!

As they headed down the steps, Mattie commented, "If you have the time we can come back and do some work here. I've got the tools and most the equipment we'd need." She shrugged and explained, "I tired a couple of times to come by off-duty and do some repairs, but she doesn't recognize me out of uniform, and I swear, if she had a gun, I'd be dead now!"

She laughed, then added, "But she knows you in civvies now, so she might be more accepting...and I hear she makes a mean lasagne!"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Listening to Mattie talk about coming back, Kev wasnt sure how much space hats and cookies he could take but then it was about care for the community. “Sure that’d be great, fixed the place up a little for her. Then again I’m memorable so as long as you stick with me she’ll remember.” Kev joked grinning at Mattie as he laughed. Yeah he could see how Mrs Sherwood would be a little like that but then maybe it was a good job she didnt have a gun or at least one he new of.

“Lasagne too... you know something, I think I’ve found my wife.” Kev said smiling, “Cookies and pasta what more could a guy want. I think she liked me too.” He added waggling his eyebrows for a second as he laughed. She seemed like a great lady, a little out there but then again who wasnt these days. He really needed to get out from behind his desk a lot faster given what he had seen so far.

“So what do you think we should start on first?” Kev asked Mattie as he glanced back at the house, he could see a few things that might need done but then he wasnt sure what the rest of the day was going to be like for them to do it. He was in a world he didnt know much about and now writing warrants and signing off papers for CPD seemed like the easy side of things.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

Mattie hadn't expected a different answer, Kev was a good guy, a really good guy, and she hoped she wasn't taking advantage of that good nature by making him feel obligated. "You'd marry her just because I can't cook?" Mattie rolled her eyes. "I'm insulted!"

Then she laughed and shrugged. "We should find the critical things first, I guess, like the rickety railing that will kill her if she leans on it, then work on the little stuff." She glanced at him as they walked. "There's time, and I want to hit up some of the hardware stores, see if we can get some donations...that's a perk of the uniform! Businesses tend to be more generous when a uniform is involved."

She led the way into an alley that was heavily shadowed by the tall buildings on either side.

"This," she declared, "is Tatooine." Several murals graced the walls, not graffiti, but art, paintings of the desert, the cantina, space with stars and X-wing fighters and the Millennium Falcon...The array of dumpsters, crates and cardboard boxes actually added to the effect.

"Let's see if we can find Angela. She hangs around here."

There were a few people in the alley, obviously living there, and they eyed the cop warily, although the presence of the dog seemed to make them more relaxed. It was one of these people she approached.

"Beryl." Mattie smiled and nodded to the woman who looked at them a bit groggily. Her breath reeked of alcohol when she answered.

"Officer Matt...I'm sober!" The grizzled woman beamed proudly. "You looking for Angela again? I think she's home."

"Thanks, Beryl." Glancing at Kev, Mattie shrugged. "Home is toward the back of the alley. Are you still with me?"

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Ouch, you think I’d marry her just because she can cook? There is more to life than that besides I’m pretty good in learning how to live from vending machines at work so as long as you can live with that kind of cooking from me. Sure.” Kev added laughing, he wasnt a fantastic cook though he could make a few things though it didnt always turn out the way he wanted it to.

“Sure rickety railing it is, can’t have her killing herself if she leans on it. Then again wouldnt really want to put my name to it that she wouldnt. I’m more lawyer than carpenter.” Kev explained grinning as he nodded about the hardware stores. “Sure and if they say no to the cop, just tell them the lawyer will make sure they’re jammed up for the next twelve months in law suits of some kind. I’m sure that will fix a lot too.” So Kev wasnt the sue the world type but if it helped, he wouldnt be the first lawyer to throw a lawsuit at something to see it cause a problem.

Glancing up at the tall buildings it was strange to see a place that had so much feeling attached to it. There was an obvious distrust for the uniform as he saw people glance warily, he guessed that anyone might get the same look if they were new to the area.”This is Tatooine, seriously?” Kev asked as he glanced at the art on the walls not sure what to make of it. Someone had some serious talent as he saw the star wars art.

Kev watched Mattie talk to Beryl, when the woman claimed to be sober Kev had other ideas given the groggy look she had but then he wasnt the police. Kev smiled as he moved with Mattie, “Sure I’m still with you, do we need to get some help for Beryl?” Kev asked not sure that a rehab clinic would be right but then again it wasnt like he didnt want to try to help.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Nah, she'll be fine." Mattie glanced at Kev and shrugged. "She's actually pretty sober right and clean right now...she goes through cycles, sometimes is completely snockered and filthy...never have heard her full story, though."

She didn't have the mental capacity to absorb the tragedy, misfortunes and poor decisions of everyone she ran into, so besides a few exceptions like Mrs. Sherwood, she kept her distance.

"It's interesting, though, that no one really cares about these people except for each other, and they really didn't have the means to help each other besides keeping track of each other. Of course, sadly, if something happened to one of them that could somehow be twisted into a lawsuit, 'concerned' family crawled out of the woodwork, singing their praises and talking about what wonderful people they had been.

She strolled along the alley, past 'dwellings' of tents, cardboard and tarps, ignoring the glares and suspicious looks they got, acknowledging the more friendly glaces with a nod, until they came to a 'structure' improvised from blue tarps and bungee-cords. There was a beat-up shopping cart outside that was draped with ratty, but clean, towels and sheets.

"Angel, are you here?" Mattie asked. She glanced at Kev and shrugged as they waited for an answer.

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev wasnt too sure what to think about that being someone’s pretty sober. He wasnt naive in the sense that he figured people had their own issues but seeing it written down and seeing it for what it was happened to be completely different in his eyes. Kev didnt really know how Mattie could do this every single day, to know that so many people needed help in so many different ways it was heart breaking to see.

“Well i’d like to think that there are at least two more people that care about them now. Wonder if there’s a way that they can find each other, a way that one of the shelters can keep better track.” Kev said not entirely sure what to do to help but he understood the lawsuit side of it all. It was amazing the things people would do, take the city to court, take a cop to court or the ambulance staff or really anyone and anything related to a bad situation.

Ten tents and cardboard with tarps was heart breaking given he knew he had a nice warm place to go back to. Kev tried to smile but he felt given the circumstance it wasnt going to make anything better on anyone. Kev smiled and nodded to Mattie as he heard her ask if Angel was there. Given the look of the towels he wanted to go out and get her some more, but then he wasnt sure if that would be taken well or badly.

He felt way out of what he was used to, the pictures in the files were nothing compared to seeing things in the outside world with his own two eyes. Even the shopping cart and make shift structure that looked to him like a good wind would take it down. Even a Chicago winter would be very bad news for a lot of then he figured as he glanced around.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI