Those were the days
Matthew Ryan Fischer
Ace felt obsolete. Years ago, he felt a certain pride when his son
became an Agent. Now, a relative of his lifelong friend, a friend who was now
led one of the families, petitioned to become Agent Nine, and Ace felt joyless.
The man was a decent enough choice – quick, athletic, smart, a good fighter. He
would do well enough as an Agent and he was Gideon’s choice. It was fine. It
was all perfectly fine. But there was no excitement, no thrill, no feeling that
any of it meant anything except keeping the same system in place, and the same
wheels turning. When he and Gideon were Agents, they were young men, looking
for adventure, feeling like the were building a better world. That world had
come and gone, and despite the successes or the money, the world was no
different than when it began. Some would say there were fewer gang wars, fewer killings,
less waste. That felt hollow and Ace longed for something more. He had spilled
so much blood thinking he was providing something for his son, but what had he
built? What was he leaving to him? A dojo and a pile of bodies, lies, and a
million shortcomings.
His minded wandered to Queenie and he could feel a smile beginning
to form. It was nice. It made him feel happy to feel that again. She was a good
woman and a boss, and she might take him to bed from time to time, but there
could never be much more than that. Despite a twinge of pain, it was good to
remind himself of that. They were of different worlds. He had to be happy with
what he got.
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