33

I put my hand in the air and waved. “Hey.”

“I heard you were back. It’s good to see you.”

“Thanks.” I nodded. “You, too.”

The one who had recognized me looked at the other officer and said, “Do you know who she is?”

I couldn’t listen to his description of me.

Not today.

So, just as his mouth was opening to answer, I waved again and pushed my way through the door. I rushed up the stairs and hurried to my desk. After I put on the headset, I sucked in a deep breath and rested my fingers on the keyboard, my thumb gently tapping the space bar but not hard enough to actually press it down. My body tensed. The tips of my toes ground into the bottom of my shoes.

I clicked to accept the incoming call.

And I waited.

Me: I’m home.

Smith: You all right?

Me: I’m good, just really tired.

Smith: Try to get some sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

My reply was a sun.

It felt much more fitting now.

Thirty-Two

Smith

Present Day

“I hope you’re hungry,” Alix said once I opened my front door where she stood