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She blows out a ragged breath and I see her shoulders loosen a bit. “I did actually. You know Jess is the guru of all things clothes, so I told her what I was hoping for, and a budget because you know she would go crazy without one, and she delivered. We picked out this outfit, actually.”
She straightens her body so I can see her new threads.
I honestly hadn’t noticed because her gorgeous face distracted me, but doing a double-take, I see they’re different from what she usually wears. They look good on her — fresh and her curves are on display in a way I can get behind.
“You look beautiful, babe. You’re always updating our wardrobes, so I’m glad you got things you like too. And since we don’t exchange presents on anniversaries or birthdays anymore, I’m happy you’re spending money on yourself.” I smile.
After a few moments of silence, she says, “I’m thinking of taking a yoga class with Jess.”
Jessica Johnson is married to my sergeant Joe. We introduced them when I was in the police academy and those crazy fools have been together since. They live on our street a few houses down and Jess owns a local women’s gym.
“Oh yeah? I think that might be fun. You could learn how to bend yourself into a pretzel.” I joke and she giggles.
Maggie and Paul begin to place our plates on the table so we both stand to greet them.
“Hey, pretty girl! How are my favorite kiddos and their kiddos?” Maggie asks Ellie while pulling her in for a hug.
Maggie never had children, but she’s always been so kind to us and smitten with our kids since they were born.
“They’re doing great! The girls were a little nervous to start school, so we put them in the same class, and thankfully, that helped to make their transition smoother. They’ve both made their new friends and they’re loving all they’re learning. Jonathan has fallen in love with reading, so we practically live in the library now. And my sweet Camden is still an enormous ball of energy, so we’re looking into soccer or karate for him.” Ellie giggles as she pulls out her phone to show Maggie photos, even though they saw the kids when we came in to eat at the end of summer. “They’re all doing really wonderful.”
Listening to Ellie beam about our kids makes me stand a little taller and my heart swells with pride. She was made to be their mother. She has dedicated her life to growing herself so she and I have the tools to raise them to feel loved and respected, and my love for her grows each second because of it.
Paul extends his hand to me, and I shake it while he slaps me on the back.
“I remember the first time you two came in here all those years ago. Two kids, full of puppy love. I knew then you two would go the distance. Glad to see I was right.” He chuckles a hardy laugh in his deep voice.
“I’m really glad I didn’t screw it up.” I laugh and return a back slap.
“Oh, you had no chance with this girl.” He looks over at my Ellie, who is still enthusiastically showing Maggie every photo of them for the last couple of months.
When they say goodbye a few minutes later, we sit down to eat our burgers and fries. Through lunch, we talk about the usual: the kids, the home projects she’s got waiting for me on my weekend, the service her minivan needs, and which school functions are coming up.
Ding ding ding.
My phone alarm rings, telling me that my hour is up, so I lay some cash on the check, and we both stand.
After she climbs into her van and rolls the window down, she says, “I’m really glad we could do this. I was telling Jess today that I look forward to this day every year.” The bright smile she offers me makes my heart skip a beat. “Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about when we were younger and how much has changed since, so it feels good to go back to where it started.”
“We had some good times, but I can say with certainty that I’m more in love with you now than ever before. Happy anniversary, Babe.” I look around to make sure we’re alone and I give her a quick smooch on the lips.
“Be safe today. I love you.”
“Always. I love you too.”
When I get into my truck, I radio to dispatch, “4703, Can you mark me in service please?”
I look at my truck’s computer and fortunately, there are no pending calls that need my attention, so I know just what I’m going to do.
I knock on Betty’s door and holler, “Betty, it’s Officer Garcia. Are you home?” I hear her little feet shuffle to the door and the click of the deadbolt as she unlocks it.
“Marco! You’re just in time. I made brownies! The ones with little m&ms on top that you love so much. Come in, come in.” The excitement in her voice is palpable as she opens the door wider and steps aside.
Betty is eighty-three years old and the only way you’d guess it is by her white hair and small stature, not her lack of spunk. Her daughter called the non-emergency number a couple of years ago to do a welfare check on this address because Betty wasn’t answering her calls. She wasn’t picking up the phone because she was napping so she was upset when I knocked on her door. After a few minutes of conversation, I could tell she was glad I was there because she seemed a bit lonely.
Her husband Fred passed away ten years ago in a car accident, and after her daughter moved away, she didn’t have anyone close by. But she told me she didn’t need a babysitter to check on her, and after seeing how immaculate she kept her home and that her fridge was stocked, I agreed with her. I was glad to give her some much-needed company though, so once a week I stop in and check on her.
“How is that beautiful family of yours?” she asks as she walks me to the kitchen in her modest two-bedroom home.
