The Night Shift

from Patricia Talorico in New Castle, DE:

John and I worked together at The News Journal in Wilmington, Del. At the time, we were both working the dreaded 3 to 11 p.m. shift, but it wasn't that bad, because John was always so much fun to be around.

John was the night police reporter and we always would take our dinner break together. One night, we went to a restaurant and John brought along a portable police scanner so he wouldn't miss an important police or fire call. Restaurant workers saw, and heard, the scanner and immediately became concerned. John was wearing a long, rumpled trench coat and he kind of looked like Columbo. He told the restaurant workers not to worry. "We're not
the police; we're from the Department of Health." The surprised and scared look on their faces was priceless. John and I laughed until tears streamed down our faces. Thank goodness the restaurant staff had a good sense of humor. But, just in case they didn't, we ordered take-out and left. We laughed all the way back to the office. I loved John's infectious laugh and his kindness. It served him well in the crazy world of journalism and in life.