A Day

Chief took the towel from the foot of his bunk. Taking off his wet shirt, he started to dry his hair and body as he walked to the fire. He didn't break his running routine, but God it was cold and raw! February in England could definitely be miserable. He grabbed a dry shirt and walked over to the window. The drizzle started to turn into a real rain. He just stared out, lost in thoughts and memories.

" 'ey, Chiefy, where's the Warden?" Goniff came into the room. "Didn't he go running with you?"

"Yeah. He's taking a hot shower. It's pretty cold out there."

"It's February in England, mate. It's a normal day."

"Yeah." He continued drying himself and went back to staring out the window. Memories accompanied him on the run. Memories he would rather leave in the past; he wanted to look forward. Memories of birthdays past. He was born on a February day, much like this one according to his mother. Gray and dreary. He had had no birthday parties as a child, and as he grew older, he thought that that might have been a good thing. He had gone to a few parties for school companions, but felt he was on the outside looking in; not truly a part.

There was one, perhaps two that were truly a part of his life; or at least knew HIM, the inside him. As his new life was going, there was another who probably knew him better than most. It wasn't always a comfortable feeling, but that was part of the way his whole life seemed to be changing. Even those of his team, who always had his back, were friends of a sort, but again it was hard to truly acknowledge friendship. He had a feeling Actor saw past some of his shields, but he was not intrusive.

He hoped Actor hadn't ferreted out his birthday. Like Goniff, he didn't want a big celebration or any kind of party. He didn't want to be the centre of attention, at least in that way. It was different at the Doves. Being applauded for his skill at darts didn't make him uncomfortable; it was recognition of his skill. It was something earned, and a commonality with the Doves' regulars. He wasn't on the outside looking in. A party was artificial; just letting the day pass was more his style.

He went to his footlocker at the end of his bunk to get out a fresh, dry set of clothes. This wasn't going to be an obstacle course training kind of day. He wondered what the Warden had in store for them today. He opened the footlocker and pulled out his clothes. He then froze and just stared. Under his clothes was a cloth pouch. He pulled it out and looked to see if anyone noticed his reaction. Seeing he was alone for the moment he opened it. A shiny new switchblade was in it. Another pouch was in there too. He opened it to find it contained pollen. Pollen to bless his new blade! Who put it there? Who would know the significance of the pollen? There was just a simple piece of paper in the bottom. He pulled it out. There was "Happy Birthday, Chief." He shook his head as he realized who had done this. Just as he had preserved his pride and dignity on their second mission, he again recognized the importance of that pride and dignity in also recognizing his birthday. "Thank you, Warden," was all he softly whispered. He would wait for the proper time to bring this blade out into the light of day. In the meantime, he knew his loyalty and faith to this man who led them was not nor ever would be misplaced.