I've been thinking of ways to keep JP from running off while I'm busy on my new case. What he needs is a job, to apprentice somewhere. I want to set him up in a trade, like Bruno did for me, but I can't see him as a cop. He's too delicate, too timid. And I don't mean to sound like a horrible father, but he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I asked him what he'd like to do, but he just stared, as he does, and shrugged. I understand. When Bruno asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I thought he was nuts. We street kids live day to day.
But this morning, when we were having coffee at Girard's, I was struck by a brilliant idea to keep JP close—right under my nose, in fact. I asked Henri to give him a job at the café.
Henri wasn't on board at first. He stuttered and hesitated. "I don't really need someone right now." I told him I could help pay JP's wages, if it was about money; I just needed JP occupied and safe when I wasn't around. "Oh, so you want me to look after your kid now?" he asked. Yeah, actually, I could use a hand. Isn't that what friends are for?
In the end, he relented. I didn't have to twist his arm too hard; Henri has a heart of gold. He put JP to work right away and when I left for work, JP was setting up the outside tables. He looked so proud of himself. It felt good, like I'd finally done something right for him. Girard's saved me when I was on the street. Now, it can give JP a new life.
What could be better than my boy at my bar tabac, working for my best friend? That, and the ripping good case I have now? I'm in heaven.
