The diner smelled faintly of burnt food and old coffee, the smell of fresh cooking food hit his nose, over taking the older smells. Frank scanned the room. There was a pair of older women in one corner and at the bar two middle-aged men, blue collar from the looks of it. He took a seat at a booth and ordered coffee.

A few minutes late Jack entered with Matt. The boy had a hand on Jack’s elbow and his cane lifted. Jack spotted him and walked over. Matt sniffed as they made their way over. Jack’s recollection of Matt’s evolving sensory issues comes to mind however instead of complaining or commenting on the food Matt focuses toward the booth.

“Frank!” Matt greeted. Jack looked surprised as Frank felt but greeted Frank as well.

“Matt, Jack.”

“Matt you listen to Frank, okay?” Matt made a face but sat across from Frank. “I know Dad.” he whined. Jack turned to Frank and pulled out his wallet. “Frank, can you make sure he gets dinner?” He handed Frank money, too much for dinner. So Frank was being paid. First legitimate paying job since he got back was babysitting.

He’d returned the money after Jack picked him up but took it to get the man to go to his job. It would defeat the purpose otherwise. Jack introduced Frank to the waitress, who Matt greeted cordially and with an air of familiarity.

The waitress, Meredith, her nametag had made him aware when he had come first, looked at him seriously. If Frank were a creep he wouldn’t have escaped even if he tried, he thought. Frank greeted her warmly. He wasn’t hiding anything (yet) and him being creepy and vague would be more memorable than “Jack’s New Friend Who Babysat Once”.

Jack left with several glances back. Matt was running his hands over a Braille menu Meredith had brought over. Matt seemed to be reading slowly and Frank wondered how well he could keep track of the text. After a moment he seemed to decide if his reskim was an indication.

He didn't say anything. Frank looked at his own menu and decided on a burger. It was the least likely thing to get him sick or to disagree with him. He grabbed the money that Jack had him.

“Here kid.” Matt frowned.

“What?” He pressed his hand onto the bill fold. “What is this?” He ran his hands over the bills. “Money?”

“Yeah, it’s what your dad gave me. Keep it. I don’t want to forget to return it.” Kid made a face.

“My hands are dirty now.” Right. Sensory issues, God knows what he felt. Although now Frank wanted to wash his hands too. Maybe it was just a hygiene thing.

“Okay. Let’s order and then wash our hands.” Matt’s hand vanished under the table and reemerged empty as he nodded. “You sure you ready?”

“Yes. I know what I want.”

“Good.” An awkward pause and Frank tried to catch Meredith’s attention. The woman came over with a bored look.

“What can I get you?” Frank ordered. Her tone turned more pleasant and her expression softened as she spoke to Matt. “And you, Matty? The usual?”

“No, thank you, Merry. May I please have the six with no mayo and extra mustard?”

“Course.” She glanced at Frank with flinty eyes. She was watching him. At least Jack had good friends he thought. They added drinks and Frank awkwardly guided Matt to the restroom. They washed their hands and returned.

“Hey, Frank?” Matt said as they returned to their booth. Matt sat and swung his legs across from him

“Yeah?”

“What do you do? You said you used to be in the Marines but what do you do now?”

“I’m retired.”

“Oh. You get bored? Is that why you’re boxing with my dad?”

“Partly. Just need to get some training. I need to build up my strength.”

“You do that all day?”

“No. I do a few things here and there but I'm not working or looking for work.” Definitely not admitting what he did most days.

“What do you?” Frank shrugged then realized it was a meaningless gesture to someone who couldn't see.

“Nothing really. Trust me kid. My day would bore you.”

“I wanted to a boxer like my dad.” Matt said and Frank was struck by Lisa saying something similar seemingly ago. Matt didn't seem to think it was odd to comment given his situation because he added almost without preamble. “He doesn't want me to do like manual labor so I have to study a lot.” He made the universal face of children who did not want to do homework. “I think I want to be a lawyer.” He looked earnest. “I can still be one even though I can't see.”

“Yeah? That’s good.” And Frank meant it. It would be unfortunate of the kid’s full future were just arrested because of the accident. “You know what kind of law you want to do?” He was probably too young to actually answer that but shit if Frank knew many lawyers. It was possible the kid had a role model and had a clear course of action in his head.

“No. I want to help people though.” Very noble but kid had proven he wasn't just spouting bullshit. He thought as he took a hard look at the glasses.

“I'm not too familiar with lawyering but I'm sure you'll do fine and help people.” Matt seemed to enjoy the encouragement. “You doing good in school? You need good grades to be a lawyer.”

“Yes.” A bit petulant now, normal kid reaction Frank thought and realized he was smiling. Frank shook his head. “I’m not a baby I know you need good grades and I have to go to college and law school.”

“Not saying you’re dumb.” He said with a firm voice. “There was a reason I went into the Marines, kid. I had decent grades, but nothing special.” Matt seemed to think about it.

“Can I ask-”

“Order up!” Meredith exclaimed. Frank turned and saw her carrying their meals. He took his plate and watched her narrate the positions of the food and drinks.

“What did you want to ask?”

“What do you look like? You don't have to tell me. If you don't want to that's okay. I know it's weird.”

“It's fine kind. I'm not much to look at but I'll try to give it a shot.” He had to think and describe himself. He hadn't really needed to too before and he didn't feel comfortable describing himself like a target, it was too impersonal. He thought.

“Well I'm not sure. I'm kind of average. I guess? My hair is a bit grown out but I usually have it in a standard Marine haircut.” Kid pondered.

“Color?”

“Black, well mostly. Got some grey from life, my time in the Marines, marriage and kids. Mostly I'm just getting old.” Kid laughed at that. Frank smiled.

“My nose is a bit crooked. Got hit a bit too much.”

“Enemy combatants?” Kid asked a bit too interested and Frank was not heading that way for several reasons.

“Nah. I was dumb. Got into a few fights, lost some, won some.”

“You won't win against my dad.”

“Give me time. I'll get back into shape.”

“You'll still lose. My dad is a good boxer.”

“My dad is better than you.” He sing songed then made a go on gesture. “Anything else or are you all nose and a big mouth?” Frank laughed.

“No. Okay let me finish.” He tried to keep the tone light and was a bit exaggerating in describing himself but think it worked out. Kid was relaxed and happy by the time he finished. Good. His burger was half cold when he finished but didn't care too much.

Their conversation was light but Frank kept in mind his aim. He needed to know if the kid knew more about the chemical accident. If Frank was going to pursue it he needed to know all he could. Still it didn't seem like the right time to press. Kid was good and didn't seem to be suffering any sensory issues that Jack had mentioned.

He didn't know if it could be triggered by stress but he wanted to avoid it. There would be time enough for that later he thought. It wasn’t the most entertaining few hours but they had dinner, dessert and Matt was drinking a milkshake when his dad returned, a split on his right eyebrow but he didn’t seem to notice.

Kid greeted Jack with genuine enthusiasm and Frank felt his throat tighten for the briefest of seconds. He’d get his own justice and then maybe this one or die trying. He thought sternly. The thought was pushed away as Jack thanked him. Frank waved him off again.

Matt handed Jack his money back and Jack gave him this particular look. Frank wasn’t sure what he was thinking but didn’t say anything.

“You hungry, dad?” Matt asked as he returned to his drink. Kid had at least half a glass to drink.

“I’m fine, Matty.” Frank sat across from them. It felt awkward to just leave. “Thanks again for watching, Matt.” Jack said.

“Again, no problem. Kid was good company.”

“Yeah. I like Frank. He wasn’t boring.” Matt replied and then added. “Mrs. Cortes is boring.”

“Matt! Be nice.” Jack said with no actual venom, just exasperation. Matt smirked. Kid was trying to get a rise out of his dad.

“Well, at least I can die knowing I’m not as boring as Mrs. Cortes.” Frank added dryly. Jack laughed lightly. Kid grinned and kept drinking.

“How'd the fight go?” Frank asked, mildly curious. Jack hadn't seems too concerned when he'd mentioned it. Matt immediately perked up, sitting straighter in his seat.

“Yeah, did you win?” Matt asked enthusiastically. His father gave him a fond look but then Jack grinned, a savage thing.

“Yes.” A satisfied tone to his simply reply that hinted at more. Matt whooped.

“Wish I could've listened. We should have gone to a sports bar.” He said. Jack snorted.

“No. Not until you can drink.” Matt gave a sigh but this seemed to be an old argument. Kid wanted to hear the fight but a bar was clearly exotic and mysterious to him. A no made the least exciting places an automatically desirable to children.

“I knew you'd win.” Matt said. “Told Frank you’re good.” Jack preened at his son’s praise but shrugged it off with a simple rebuttal.

“The fighter any good?” Frank asked.

“Yeah. Young but good, a few more years and maybe he'll be a challenge.”

“You'll still win.” Matt replies confidently. Jack made a ‘go on’ gesture to his son and says.

“Finish your milkshake, Matt. We gotta go soon. I'm sure Frank has things to do.” Frank waved him off and added.

“Is fine. I don't have anything urgent or planned.” A large rumble startled him.

“You said you weren't hungry.” Matt said accusingly to a sheepish looking Jack.

“I wasn't.” He said. Frank laughed.

“I'll get something to go. Matt finish your shake.” Matt shrugged but obliged. He looked content.

“Burger was good.” Frank suggested as Jack caught the waitress’ attention. He placed an order for “the usual”. Matt excused himself to the bathroom for a moment, milkshake almost gone but a few sips.

“What's the usual?” Frank asked. Jack replied without a hint of humor.

“A burger.” Frank snorted. The cut to Jack’s brow caught his attention as the man peered in the direction his son had gone.

“You need someone to help with that?”

He motioned the cut.

“It's fine.” He said. “Nothing I can't handle. You really helped me today. Thanks.”

“It's not a problem. You have a good kid. Good to remember they are out there .” Jack made a pained expression.

“I can't imagine what you've gone through but thank you again.” Jack grinned and playfully said “seriously today was quite nice. My fight was easier than I thought. Good fighter but no real spirit. We sparred better rounds.”

“I'll get to the point where I will win. You'll see.” Frank said a bit of anticipation under his skin, looking forward to it.

“Matt would say otherwise.” Jack laughed. Frank scowled but without real feeling. They made plans to meet again as Matt returned.