Mistakes, I�ve Made a Few�

Diane turned around and faced everyone at the party. �I better stay here,� she said. �I don�t want to deal with him waiting outside my apartment.�

�By all means,� Danny agreed, putting his hand on her shoulder. Andy looked like he was going to explode.

�Are you out of your friggin� mind?� he bellowed.

Diane buried her face in her hands and her hair fell down around them as a shield.

�Andy,� Danny said, putting his hand on Andy�s arm to pull him back.

�After what you and Jill just went through on account of that scumbag, on account of his stupidity? And now he shows up loaded? Have you learned nothing?�

�I know,� Diane said softly, shaking her head.

�You have to put a stop to this. This can�t continue.�

�I know, Andy.�

�This scumbag excuse for a cop is a drunk, and you can�t be part of that.�

�I know, Andy.�

�With you getting shot and all, you�re going to be more sensitive now. You don�t need his crap. You don�t need it right now. Do you understand me?�

�Yes.�

�All right?�

�All right. Yeah.�

Andy was much calmer. Diane looked so small. It occurred to him that she was well aware of the magnitude of Denby�s betrayal. �Okay, well, I gotta go. Happy New Year.�

�Yeah,� was all Diane could manage.

Greg looked very uncomfortable. �Yeah, well, I gotta go, too. Happy New Year, Diane. Danny,� Greg stammered as he grabbed his coat and left. Baldwin and his date said their goodbyes and left with Greg, too.