“Thank God she’s okay,” Ginny greeted Mitch as the Baytown Police Department meeting began.

He grinned, his smile showing his relief. “Yeah, Tori’s fine. Doc said it was probably something she ate, but the baby’s all snuggled in safe and sound. So, while it was a scare and I’ve got her at home for a few days, she’s fine.”

Grant, Burt, and Sam sat at the table with Ginny and Mitch, rounding out the BPD. Burt was a young officer, married with two children. Sam, the oldest member of the department, had served when Mitch’s grandfather was Police Chief and when Mitch’s father was as well. Mildred, their purple grey-haired, steadfast police transcriber and reporter, as well as her sister, Mable, their blue grey-haired, receptionist, flitted in and out, checking on Mitch as well as bringing in snacks for the officers.

Mitch, getting down to business, began the meeting, assigning duties and reviewing open cases. Thankfully, most of the cases were minor. A bucket of pecans had been stolen from someone’s carport. The town manager was upset because people were parking backward on Main Street. The owner of the town’s trailer park wanted police drive-bys at random times, fearing there might be drug sales taking place.

As the meeting came to a close, Sam, rubbing his chin, said, “Mitch, before we break, I need to talk to you all about something.”

The officers shared looks, each figuring they knew what he was going to say.

“I know this won’t come as a surprise, but I’m ready to retire. Wife’s been on me about my health for the last couple of years.” He sighed heavily, adding, “Don’t know how I’ll take to retirement, but she’s got trips planned and, well,” he smiled, “I’d like to see my grandkids more.”

Mitch nodded, saying, “I knew this day was coming Sam, but I hate like hell to lose you. You served with my granddad and dad, and made my transition to this office so much easier.”

“What timeframe are you looking at?” Burt asked.

Rubbing his chin some more, he said, “Well, I can be flexible. I was on the state retirement system website and checked my employment dates and what my income would be, and I can leave at any time. I’d like to stay at least another month to give you a chance to find someone.”

“I appreciate that, Sam. You’ll have to file the formal paperwork with Mildred before we can advertise, but,” Mitch said, “as you may know, the town’s budget has a part-time officer open. I wondered about the feasibility of this, but if we can find a full-time officer to fill your position, we would still have a part-time position to fill.”

Ginny, her gaze on Mitch, asked, “You got anyone in mind you’d like to apply?”

Chuckling, he said, “Well, I think we’d all like to see Lance apply for either position. When I met him in the Army, he was a helluva criminal investigator. But…I have no idea if he would consider it.”

“He helped us on that voyeur case a few months back,” Grant remembered. “I know he prefers his privacy, but he had no problem coming to help when we needed him.”

“There’s a big difference between helping on a case and actually reporting in to work every day,” Burt commented. “But, Mitch, you know him best…so we’ve got nothing to lose by asking him.”

* * *

“Here is some more sea glass,” Jade called out, wandering amongst the tables of children as they glued the pieces to the edges of picture frames. “Once you’re finished, we’ll set them on the bookshelves. Since your name is already on the back, yours will be ready for you when we get the photographs to insert.”

Lance’s mosaic had given her the idea to have the children glue pieces of sea glass to frames for holiday presents. The Thanksgiving holiday was coming soon and she knew their long winter break was just around the corner. The children loved the opportunity to decorate their own frame with the beautiful, multi-colored fragments of glass.

“What’s your favorite color of sea glass, Miss Lyons?” Cindy asked.

“I love them all, but I have to admit that when I find a blue or deep green one, I feel like I’ve won a prize.”

“I think they look like jewels,” Ricky added, holding up a piece in his fingers, a wide smile on his face. “It’s like giving our moms jewels for a present.”

Remembering that Lance also compared the sea glass to jewels, she grinned as she agreed, “You are exactly right. And they will love them. In fact, I found some great sea glass the other day and meant to bring it in to show you, but I forgot.”

“Did you leave it on the beach?” Caroline asked.

“No, I’ve got it in my house.” Laughing, she added, “I’ve got lots of sea glass at my house. But, I’ve become friends with an artist who creates beautiful things out of sea glass, so maybe I’ll give more to him.”

“Can we see the stuff he makes?” Manuel asked, his eyes wide.

Biting her bottom lip, she wondered if Lance would agree to come visit her class and bring some of his work. “Well, I’m not sure, but it can’t hurt to ask.”

* * *

Lance led Mitch out to his porch, taking the same seats they had occupied the last time he visited. Only this time, he knew he was not here to berate him for being mean to Jade. Settling in the chairs, he looked over at his friend but stayed quiet. He knew Mitch would talk when he was ready.

After several minutes of enjoying the afternoon shade while staring out over the bay, Mitch caught him by surprise when he asked, “Tell me why you decided to be a cop?”

While in the Army, the two had shared meals, as well as worked on a few of the same cases, even though they were not assigned to the same platoon. They had clicked professionally and Mitch had been the only person he confided anything about his family to.

“You fishin’ for something?”

Chuckling, he said, “I know Ginny mentioned Sam’s imminent retirement to you. Just wanted to get a feel for you, that’s all.”

Leaning back, he nodded, appreciating Mitch’s honesty. “Loved the idea of being a cop. Hell, growing up, my friends wanted to play video games where they could rob banks and shit. I only wanted to be the cop and catch them.” Sighing, he continued, “I was fourteen years old when 9-11 happened. Sitting in a history class watching the Twin Towers fall. At that moment, like so many others, I saw the world change right before my eyes, and all I wanted to do was to join the military. I talked to the recruiter at school and discovered I could be a cop in the military. My old man hated any talk of me doing anything else but going to his Alma Mater and then joining the family business. You know he cut me off as soon as he found out I had signed up with the Army?” Shaking his head, he added, “He was determined to make me pay for what he considered to be a family betrayal. But my grandfather left me a trust in my own name, so I didn’t need his money.”

Nodding, Mitch took a long drink of the water he had handed to him. “I had law enforcement in my blood, as you well know. Only thing I ever thought about either, but then it was the only thing I was ever exposed to.”

“Your dad’s a good man and, I’ve got no doubt, your grandfather was just as good.” He looked over at Mitch, before adding, “You had men in your life who taught you right from wrong, good from bad. The only lesson my old man wanted to impart was how to step on anyone and everyone to get ahead, make more money, and then rule his little kingdom.”

“I joined out of high school and then did Military Police school. By the time I met you, you were a criminal investigator with CID. I tried to act all badass, but gotta tell you, Lance, I was in awe of your investigative skills.”

Ruefully chuckling, he nodded, remembering a younger Mitch in the Army. “I was only a year older than you.”

“I was always glad you answered that email I sent when I decided Baytown would be perfect for some of my old buddies.”

“Yeah…I went to work in Richland right out of the Army, but it was too soon. I needed…a break.”

“So, you still need a break? The art you create…damn good outlet and if it’s your next vocation, hey, that’s great. But, we could use someone of your caliber on our staff. And…what you don’t know, besides Sam retiring, is that the city is going for a part-time officer as well. So…if you don’t want full time…” He let the unspoken offer hang in the air as he kept his gaze on the bay.

Several minutes went by, neither man speaking, letting the whoosh of the gentle bay waves fill the void.

“I don’t know, Mitch. Part of me thinks the timing isn’t right. There’s still shit in my mind…things I haven’t dealt with. I will tell you that I made a call…hell, Ginny kept handing me the Mental Health Center cards, but I haven’t gone yet. A police officer needs to be sharp…ready at a moment’s notice.”

“If you were an investigator…a detective…even only part-time, would you consider it?”

Shaking his head slightly, he wondered why he did not just tell Mitch ‘no’. I’m too fucked up to be any good to anyone. But then, the pretty, green-eyed teacher came to mind. Jade. If I don’t get un-fucked…I’ve got no chance with her. Rubbing his hand over his face, he turned to Mitch. “No promises, man. But, I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I can ask, Lance.” Nodding, Mitch stood and shook his hand, before he headed back into town.

* * *

“I’m not sure I believe in this process.”

Lance sat in the chair facing Charles, the counselor at the Eastern Shore Mental Health Group. Going on Brogan’s recommendation, he chose this counselor, figuring if Brogan could get past whatever haunted him, then maybe there was a chance for him to get help also. Maybe.

“But something prompted you to call…to come in.”

Sighing heavily, he nodded. “Feels like I’m at a crossroads.”

“Tell me more about this.”

“Is this how our sessions are going to go? You prod shit out of me that I bring up and then tell me how to deal with it?”

Chuckling, Charles shook his head. “As a counselor, my job is to listen to what you think your difficulties are, help you discover emotionally where you would like to be, and then assist you to get there. There’s no judgment here. No preconceived ideas of what you should have done differently or should do in the future.”

Shaking his head, Lance apologized, “Sorry. That was a jerk thing to say. I’m…not much for talking.”

“And yet you’re here.”

Sucking in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, he said, “Yeah…here I am.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he shifted his gaze around the room before settling back onto Charles. “I’d give anything to be able to sleep all night without waking up to nightmares. I’d love to have a conversation without feeling like I was going to choke on fear. I’d like to have a friend without being afraid…”

As his voice died off, Charles peered at him, but did not ask what he meant. After a moment of silence, he asked, “And the crossroads you mentioned?”

“My life was mine…my decisions…my career. First military police and investigator with Army CID. I actually thought about staying in the military...career military police. But…wartime…things happen. I got out…started working Vice in Richland…but the nightmares began.” Drawing in a ragged breath, he continued, “I’ve got an opportunity for a future again in Baytown…but I’m scared shitless.”

“Then let’s talk about what happened.”

He looked over at Charles’ kind face and knew it was time. Time to unburden himself. Leaning back in his chair, he began to talk.