A Friend in Need
(Author's note: This story is inspired by the episode "Head Over Heels", written by Loraine Despres. It is also a sequel to my previous story, "The Engagement".)
Just outside Rawlins, Wyoming, Jon Baker pulled his truck into his family's ranch. He enjoyed a University of Wyoming football game with his nephew Wes Miller. He pulled a Tammy Wynette tape from the deck when he left the truck. He found two messages on his answering machine. The first was the supply store saying that his tack was in and the second message was from Artie Grossman.
Oh no, not another lesson on the history of the kumquat, Jon thought as he called Grossie to return the phone call.
"Hey, Grossie, how's everything going there in sunny Los Angeles?" Jon asked cheerfully.
"Not so good, Jon. I got some bad news about Ponch," Grossie said glumly.
"Is he all right? Did he get hurt?" Jon asked worriedly.
"No, he did not get hurt," Grossie told Jon.
"Then what's wrong?" Jon asked.
"Ponch's fiancee, Vanessa, was killed by a drunk driver," Grossie said glumly.
"Oh my God! How's Ponch?" Jon asked.
"He's real upset," Grossie said.
"Is there anything I can do?" Jon asked.
"No, not really. He's not answering his phone," Grossie said. "I should be getting outta here. I'm spending the night with him tonight," he added.
"Who's staying with him now?" Jon asked.
"His partner, Bobby Nelson, and his partner's brother, Bruce," Grossie answered.
"If there is anything I can do, don't be afraid to call," Jon told Grossie.
As Jon hung up the phone, he silently cursed the drunk that killed Vanessa. He had seen the horrors of drunk driving firsthand, but this one hit too close to home.
Twenty minutes later, with suitcase in hand, Jon was off to the airport. Ponch needed him right now and he was not going to let him down. He said a silent prayer for Ponch as he went to the truck.
###
Jon's plane landed in Los Angeles the next morning. After he rented a car, he drove to the grocery store and bought five boxes of Ding Dongs for Ponch.
As Jon drove into the marina parking lot, he recognized Harlan Arliss unloading his car.
"Harlan!" Jon yelled.
"I figured Ponch would need some groceries, so I bought him some," Harlan told Jon, shaking Jon's hand.
"If you want, I'll relieve you. I'm here as long as necessary," Jon said.
"I think Ponch would appreciate all of us helping him out," Harlan said.
Jon grabbed his suitcase and the bag of Ding Dongs and headed to Ponch's apartment.
The two men made their way to the apartment, where they found Grossie asleep on the couch. The dog that Ponch gave Vanessa was nipping on Jon's leg.
Grossie then woke up, surprised to see Jon heading for Ponch's bedroom. Jon sat quietly beside Ponch's bed. Ponch wasn't sleeping soundly.
"Lo siento. Lo siento," Ponch muttered in his sleep. Then he thrashed around, breaking into a cold sweat.
Jon gently woke Ponch, holding him while he cried.
###
Later that evening, Ponch went to his kitchen, only to find Jon heating up two TV dinners.
"Dinner's served," Jon said, setting a turkey dinner in front of Ponch.
"Thanks, partner," Ponch said glumly.
"If you want to talk about it..."Jon said.
"I felt so helpless. She...she..." Ponch broke down again.
"It's not your fault," Jon said, trying to comfort Ponch.
After a few minutes, Ponch was able to say something.
"The arraignment is tomorrow. Could you go with me?" Ponch asked.
"Yes, I will," Jon answered.
Ponch then told Jon everything that happened at the picnic.
"I wish I could tell the judge what this man took away from me," Ponch said.
"You will, if the bozo even goes to trial," Jon said.
"Oh my God, her students!" Ponch exclaimed. "Maybe I should visit them, just to help them through."
"If you think it will help them, you should do it," Jon suggested.
"I just don't know what to do," Ponch said.
###
The next morning, while Jon was jogging around the marina, Ponch was making breakfast. Sergeant Getraer had put Ponch on leave because of Vanessa's death.
"What time is the arraignment?" Jon asked, heading for the shower.
"At nine. Then I've got to be at the funeral home to help her parents with the arrangements," Ponch answered.
Jon put his hand on Ponch's shoulder, quietly saying "It's all right."
###
At the courthouse parking lot, Fred was angrily waiting for Ponch. Fred blamed Ponch for Vanessa's death, and Ponch was going to pay dearly.
Jon and Ponch pulled into the parking lot, with Jon driving Ponch's Trans-Am.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Ponch?" Jon asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Ponch answered.
Who's that man with Poncherello? He's gonna ruin my plans, Fred thought.
Jon and Ponch went into the courthouse, while Fred, scared off by Jon, drove away.
###
After Jon and Ponch left the courthouse, they headed to the funeral home.
"What if I got the dog instead of her?" Ponch asked.
"Then you would be dead," Jon snapped. "Sorry, I was out of line," he added.
"I needed that," Ponch said tearfully.
"I'll always be there for you, Ponch. Just give me a call," Jon said reassuringly.
Jon waited for Ponch outside the funeral home, unaware that Fred was watching Jon from across the street.
Inside the funeral home, Ponch met Vanessa's parents. Despite the circumstances, the meeting was cordial.
Meanwhile, Fred was plotting his next move. He swore that he would get revenge, and no one would stop him.
###
At his apartment, Ponch was feeding the dog. He noticed the twenty or so boxes of Ding Dongs that everybody brought. He smiled for the first time in three days.
"Feeling better?" Jon asked, surprising Ponch.
"I can't believe everybody brought Ding Dongs," Ponch laughed.
"Well, we thought that the Ding Dongs would help," Jon said.
"I think we have an idea here," Ponch said, back to his old self.
"I'm afraid to ask," Jon responded.
"Ding Dong therapy! It will save people money!" Ponch exclaimed.
"Not if the people have to go to the gym," Jon said. "By the way, nice to have you back," he added.
"Thanks for helping me out. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without you," Ponch said.
"Anytime, partner," Jon replied.
###
Later that evening all of Ponch's friends went to the funeral home to support him. Meanwhile, Fred watched while the off-duty officers filed in. He wanted to have Ponch alone.
Five minutes later, Ponch went to his car to get his jacket. As he opened the car door, he felt a barrel of a gun at the back of his neck.
"You killed Vanessa!" Fred yelled.
"I had nothing to do with her death. It was a drunk driver," Ponch said, fearing for his life.
"BULLSHIT!" Fred yelled.
Jon had stepped out for some fresh air when he heard Fred yell. He slipped behind the cars until he got into position to get a look.
"For the last time, I did not kill Vanessa! You have to believe me," Ponch pleaded.
Jon lunged at Fred and dislodged the gun from Fred's hand. While Jon and Fred were fighting, the other officers came out and rushed to the scene. Grossie gained control of the gun, while Getraer separated Jon and Fred. After Jon explained everything, Fred was arrested.
"Are you all right?" Jon asked Ponch.
"I'm all right. You saved my life, partner," Ponch said, relieved.
"I'm just doing what comes naturally," Jon smiled.
###
Two days later, Ponch was fixing his uniform while Jon was packing to return to Wyoming.
"Are you sure you're ready to go back to work?" Jon asked.
"As long as there are bad guys and speeders causing trouble, I'm needed," Ponch answered.
"Well, I have to head back to Wyoming. There's a lot to do before winter," Jon said.
Jon and Ponch gave each other a hug.