“I wish I could say I suddenly saw you differently because I understood your service.”
“That would sound better.”
“But I was scared.”
“I realized this might destroy my career.”
Walter sat back.
“Good.”
Mason looked surprised.
“Good?”
“Honest.”
Walter’s voice sharpened slightly.
“You can’t correct lie you’re still polishing.”
Mason nodded.
Walter continued.
“When did respect come?”
Mason looked toward floor.
“Watching speech.”
Walter frowned.
“I don’t want that answer.”
“I know.”
“But it’s true.”
“Why?”
“Because you could’ve asked Army to crush me.”
“They couldn’t.”
“You know what I mean.”
Walter did.
Mason said:
“You kept saying process.”
“You didn’t call for prison.”
“You didn’t call my chief.”
“You didn’t even ask board for firing.”
“That made me feel worse.”
Walter almost smiled.
“Not purpose.”
“I know.”
“Then I watched bodycam again.”
“And I realized you had been giving me ways out from first minute.”
“Your ID.”
“Dispatch.”
“Supervisor.”
“You weren’t trying to show me up.”
“You were trying to end stop.”
Walter nodded.
Mason’s voice broke.
“I kept treating every exit like trap.”
The mediator was silent.
Sarah looked at husband.
This was the answer she had wanted for months.
Walter asked:
“What happens now?”
“I lost job.”
“That is what happened.”
“I asked what happens now.”
Mason thought.
“I don’t know.”
“Good.”
Walter leaned back.
“You’re thirty-one.”
“Thirty-two now.”
“Still child.”
Sarah almost laughed.
Walter continued.
“Police work may be closed to you.”
“Maybe it should be.”
“Maybe.”
“I don’t know your whole career.”
“I know one bad stop and some patterns.”
Mason nodded.
Walter said:
“You need work where authority doesn’t let you confuse ego with safety.”
Mason looked up.
“That sounds harsh.”
“It is.”
“Doesn’t make false.”
Walter continued.
“If you become electrician, plumber, teacher, anything—same question will follow.”
“What fact would make you change your mind?”
Mason smiled weakly.
“I figured.”
Walter looked toward Sarah.
“She’ll remind you.”
Sarah said:
“I already do.”
For first time, room loosened.
Mason said:
“Do you forgive me?”
Evelyn closed eyes.
Walter looked at him.
“That question is for you more than me.”
Mason’s face fell.
Walter continued.
“I’m not angry every morning.”
“I don’t want revenge.”
“I hope you become better.”
“If you need word forgiveness before doing that, you’re still asking me to manage your comfort.”
Mason stared.
Then nodded.
Walter added:
“Maybe one day I use word.”
“Maybe not.”
“You still have to live correctly.”
Mason’s eyes filled.