I love this story. I like it when Mark takes care of the judge. It shows off Mark's good qualities and their caring relationship.

Oh, I think it's okay if Charlie shows up just any ol' time; we don't stand on too much ceremony around here, you know. Besides, he's so handy to have around, who would begrudge you that?

I like the way Mark tries first to simply make suggestions and steer Hardcastle toward a reasonable course of action, and the way those first attempts eventually give way to just doing what needs to be done. But HC finally seeing the light-and admitting it- is the best part of all.

Another great story! A very nice look at roles, and potential role-reversals, only to find that it's really just a bit of give and take. Watching Mark as he becomes more adept at 'handling' the judge was only surpassed by watching Hardcastle becoming more willing to let him, without feeling that he was losing anything of himself in the process.

If only we all had a Charlie Friedman in our lives...

There's just so much here, in one short piece. All kinds of trust/loyalty and friendship/responsibility issues, along with some great lines and lots of personalities. The one bit that sums it all up is:

“And you didn’t ask me, first.”

“Definitely not. You would’ve said no.”

Doesn't that pretty much say it all about the way they get things done? And the McCormick-as-Nurse scenario is priceless. Very true to character and a pleasure to read. He _does_ take charge when it's necessary. And those rotten tykes finally have a reason to have existed - this story!

Yes of course sometimes it is truly necessary to go over someones head and excert some authority of what is needing done or for what is right for the other person involved.

Mark cares enough about the judge that he will step in and do the necessary things needing done even without Hardcastle's would just have to deal with all consequnces that just might arise and he would too.

This was a very nice story of friends looking out for the other when they arent feeling theirselves.

JeanneZ84

Charlie is like Frank...we just assume he's always been around and nobody notices any discrepancies of when they first appear or get introduced. Of course he needed to be in this story!

I really liked this and I have to wonder if this is actually the first time Milt realizes that Mark has always been the "Guy in Charge." He doesn't seem sure at the beginning, but as he compromises more and more and allows and even appreciates the help, maybe he is starting to get a clue...

THANKS :-)

Wow. That's pretty much exactly what I would think would happen if what happened actually happened. HC's hang up about being in charge is so in character, and McC's mother hen routine is so very much McCormick. The way you wrote him was just enough-not overbearing, just doing what needed to be done. This was my favorite line-it just made me laugh for some reason:

'That’s how he is, Hardcastle conceded. When he’s not taking charge, it’s all grousing and fussing, but when he is, then it’s “maybe you’d like to . . .?”

He felt inexplicably pleased with himself for having figured all that out.'

Thanks for a sweet read. Now, I wonder what kind of nurse-maid Hardcastle will be when McCormick catches it? :)

Ceebee