can’t hurt you.’
“That, by the way, was why I suggested to Zoo that I pick you up. So we could have this little talk beforehand.”
“It was a good idea. I agree entirely. I’m clear on-wait a minute! What did you call him … my brother?”
“What did I …? Oh, you wouldn’t know, would you? His nickname … he picked it up some time ago. Most people call him ‘Zoo’ instead of Alonzo.”
“But his given name
“I know. But that’s the way it is. About the only person I know who calls him Alonzo is his boss, Inspector Walt Koznicki. He’s kind of old-worldly. He wouldn’t think of using a nickname.”
Father Tully thought for a minute, then began to chuckle, until the chuckle became a roar of laughter.
“What is it, Father? Something I’m not tuning in on?”
“Know what my first name is?”
“Uh … let’s see … I was geared to just use your title. It’s … wait: It’s Zachary!”
“And my natural nickname?”
“I suppose … Zack.”
“That’s right. Just think: Zoo and Zack. Zack and Zoo.”
They both began to laugh until the car almost shook. Fortunately, they had arrived at the Tully home; otherwise, Anne Marie might have caused a traffic accident.
As they drove into the attached garage, Father Tully thought he saw a window curtain move, as if someone were watching from inside. Obviously Zoo had arrived. His car was parked in the garage.
They waited until they got control of themselves. Then they entered the condo. They were still grinning broadly as they walked into the living room where Zoo Tully waited.
The police officer and the priest stood motionless as they looked at each other.
“In all my life,” said the priest finally, “I’ve never known what it’s like to have a brother or a sister. And now I’m standing in this room with my brother and my sister.”
“In all my life,” said the officer, “I’ve never had a priest relative, let alone a priest brother.”
They stood as a tableau for several moments.
On impulse, Anne Marie took each brother by the arm and moved the two of them together as all three embraced. Tears flowed. The two men tried, with little success, to cover their emotion.
After a few moments, Anne Marie moved apart. “You two guys sit down and get acquainted. I’m going to stick some things in the microwave. You’ll have to excuse us, Father-oh, nuts, I can’t stop using your title. Anyway, what with my teaching and my dear husband catching the bad guys, we don’t cook much. Usually it’s either prepared food or eating out. We would’ve gone out tonight, but we thought it was better to be home and get used to each other. It’ll just be a little while. Why don’t you two figure out what you’re going to call each other?”
Father Tully and Anne Marie began laughing again as she went to the kitchen.
“Want something to drink?” the officer asked.
“Gin and tonic would be nice … heavy on the tonic.”
Zoo made two virtually identical drinks. He handed one to his brother as they sat down in facing chairs. “Now then, what’s this about what we’re supposed to call each other?”
The priest chuckled. “Anne Marie and I got to talking on the way over. In the course of conversation, she referred to you by your nickname.”
“Zoo? Yeah, just about everybody calls me that.” “That’s what Anne Marie said. Then I told her my nickname.”
“Which is?”
“Not nearly as colorful as yours. It’s Zack … from Zachary.”
Zoo thought about this for a very brief moment. “Zoo and Zack.”
“Zack and Zoo. I should get top billing. I’m a priest.”
“I’m older.”
“You comfortable using our nicknames? People are bound to find it humorous.”
“That’s their problem.”
“Then it’s done.”
“Done.”
“Have you been doing what I’ve been doing?” the priest asked.
“Checking you out to see if there’s any resemblance?”
“There is, isn’t there?”
“A bit.”
“We sure had different mamas!” Zack observed.
“But the same daddy. I can see him in you … and you in me, for that matter.”
“I was only five when Dad died. Ma told me some things. But she didn’t know him much longer than my five years. What do you remember?”
“Not much more than you. I was just a kid when he left. I don’t know what happened. From what my-our- brothers and sisters said, he was a hardworking guy. Worked the assembly line … probably what Detroit is best known for. He had plenty of trouble from the rednecks. It was lots different then. Everybody took it for granted that he’d work here and go on supporting his family till he dropped.
“But one day he just up and left. That was it. I hardly knew him, and then he was gone.”
“It was my mother’s first marriage ….” Zack took up the story. “I came along after about a year. And I hardly got to know him. And then he was gone.”
Zoo looked at his brother intently. “Your mama must’ve really been religious … I mean you becoming a priest and all.”
“Oh, yes, she was. I think it was maybe the happiest day of her life when I was ordained.
“How about you? I gather from Bob Koesler and Anne Marie that you’re not exactly a Bible thumper.”
“We grew up entirely different. I don’t have any religion. If someone really pressed, I’d have to say I’m Baptist. But they’d have to press very, very hard.”
“Well, don’t worry: I’m not going to try to make a Catholic of you.
“Good. That attitude will eventually make you a happier man.”
“Okay, you two.” Anne Marie in an apron appeared in the door. “Everything’s ready. Father, I hope you like chicken. We’re trying. to keep your brother off red meat as much as possible.”
“Chicken’s fine. And it’s Zack to my brother, and I hope to my sister too.”
Zoo was about to stab a chicken leg when Anne Marie invited their priest brother to offer a prayer, which he did.
All in all, it was an appetizing dinner. In addition to the chicken, there were vegetables and a salad. It could not begin to challenge last night’s feast at the Adams suite. Still, this was several levels up from what Zack would have prepared for himself were he back at the rectory.
More important, this meal was punctuated with warm smiles from everyone.
“I’m not exactly in love with my nickname.
Zoo smiled. “There’s one person you’re bound to meet who will never, under any circumstances, use the nickname. In fact, if I’m not proven wrong, he will never call you anything but Father Tully.”
“Wait a minute …” Zack held up one hand. “Anne Marie mentioned the name … I can’t think of it right now. Polish?”
“You bet. Inspector Walter Koznicki. My boss-head of our Homicide Division.”
“I’m really looking forward to meeting him … and your other friends. I can’t tell you, what a kick this is for me.”
“And for us,” Anne Marie said.
There was no sense of haste to this meal. They knew they were in for a long evening of getting acquainted. Probably at this table in the kitchen.
“By the way,” Zoo said, “before supper, you mentioned Father Koesler. I hope he didn’t get the impression he wasn’t welcome to come along.”
