"Toss the handgun, Gabe."
The weapon felt heavy in Gabe's hand.
"It's empty."
"Please, Gabe, lose the gun," Art said, almost pleading, as he came up the walkway.
Gabe flipped it onto the grass and started crying, unable to hold back the sobs.
Art sat on the porch step, put an arm around Gabe's shoulders, and waited for the crying to stop.
When Gabe opened his eyes, he saw Russell Thorpe, Ben Morfin, Captain Garduno, and several state and city patrol officers standing in the front yard.
Embarrassed, he dropped his head, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
"What am I gonna do, Art?" he asked softly Art patted Gabe's shoulder.
"You'll get through it."