“Still doing that.”
“Yes.”
“Some things never change.”
“No.”
He looked toward the yard.
Children ran through the grass.
Todd argued with Uncle Carl.
Rebecca laughed with Mom.
Grandma pretended not to steal dessert before coffee.
Dad stood over the grill.
Derek said:
“You know what I remember most from last year?”
“The cuff?”
“No.”
“Marcus.”
I smiled.
“What about him?”
“The way he looked at me.”
“He barely looked at you.”
“Exactly.”
I laughed.
Derek continued.
“I was used to people reacting to the uniform.”
“Fear.”
“Respect.”
“Sometimes.”
“Okay, fear.”
He looked down.
“Marcus didn't care.”
“He cared.”
“Not the way I expected.”
“No.”
“He looked at what I was doing.”
I nodded.
“That’s the point.”
“Badge should matter less than behavior.”
“Yes.”
He looked irritated.
“Stop agreeing like you're grading me.”
“You are improving.”
“See?”
I laughed.
He did too.
Then he looked toward my wrist.
No mark.
Nothing visible.
“I still hate that I did that.”
“Good.”
He frowned.
“You're supposed to say I should forgive myself.”
“Eventually.”
“When?”
“When the lesson matters more than the shame.”
He considered.
“That another one of your leadership things?”
“No.”
“What then?”
“Life.”
He nodded.
We stood quietly.
Then tires crunched in the driveway.
Everyone turned.
Black SUV.
Derek groaned.
“You've got to be kidding.”
Marcus stepped out.
No red folder this time.
Civilian clothes.
He carried a pie.
Derek looked at me.
“You invited him?”
“Mom did.”
Marcus walked onto the lawn.
My mother waved.
“Marcus!”
He smiled.
Derek whispered:
“This family is insane.”
I looked at him.
“You just noticed?”
Marcus approached.
He nodded toward Derek.
“Deputy.”
Derek smiled.
“Sergeant.”
Marcus looked at his jeans.
“Day off?”
“Trying something new.”
Marcus smiled.
“Looks good on you.”
Derek shook his head.
“I still don't know if I like you.”
“That's okay.”
They shook hands.
No drama.
No power display.
Just two men.
Mom took the pie.
Grandma demanded to know whether Marcus was married.
He looked at me for help.
I walked away.
Traitorous laughter followed.
The sun lowered.