Page 6 of Madden

MADDEN

Today ismy favorite day of the month. I get paid from all my social media posts I've made for the previous month. I never know how much it's going to be until the deposit is made into my bank account. My heart pounds in my chest as I open the email that will tell me how much that is.

Three thousand dollars. I'm incredibly grateful, but I'll never understand how these videos I make are worth this much. The only thing keeping me from questioning it too much is the fact that it's allowing me to save for the house I so desperately want.

"Donut, we're getting closer." I tell him with a smile. He acts as if he understands what I'm saying. I swear he smiles back at me. My phone rings, and I glance down, seeing Chief Thompson's name. He hardly ever calls my personal cell phone. Immediately, I'm trying to figure out what the fuck I've done wrong. "Hello?"

"Hey Madden, do you have a minute to talk?"

I'll always make time to talk to the chief. "Sure, what do you need?"

"I have an offer for you. It's going to differ from what you've been doing for the last year, but I want you to approach it with an open mind."

I have no idea what he's talking about, but with everything, I'm willing to hear him out. "Okay, I'm listening."

"Laurel Springs Elementary is requesting a school resource officer. There've been some break-ins overnight at the school, along with some weird goings on. The school board seems to think if there's a police presence, it'll nip it before it escalates."

I've never thought about being a school resource officer before. Never even knew it could be an option. "Seriously? I've never thought about it."

"Yeah, there's going to be some pluses to it. You won't be on call, you'll have a set schedule. That schedule will have you off whenever school is off."

"Does that include summers?" I blurt out, because how cool would that be? "And can I keep Donut?"

"During summers, you would need to work with the PD two days a week. The rest of the time you'll be making sure no one is messing with the closed schools. They want you to bring Donut to be an emotional support animal for the kids. He's your dog. We're not taking him away from you."

All of this sounds amazing, like everything I've wanted, but never attempted to believe it would actually happen.

"You don't have to give me an answer today. I want you to head over there and tour the school. If you want, you can do the job for a week and let me know if you enjoy it. If you don't, then I'll offer the job to someone else, but I think you'll be a good fit."

I'm quiet for a moment, thinking back to that car last night, when I had to go disturb the couple in the car. I wouldn't have to deal with that anymore. There will, of course, be other things that I have to get used to, but I won't be the low man on the totem pole anymore. "Alright, I'll give it a shot. Thank you for offering it to me. I know there were more seasoned officers you could've offered it to."

"No problem, Madden. You're an outstanding officer, and I think you'd be a great fit for it." Menace pays me a compliment. I'm insanely proud that he's asking me. "Go ahead and take tonight off, then report to the school tomorrow. I'll handle getting the rest of your shifts for the next week covered. I'll need an answer by next Friday. If you can come down this afternoon, and hand off your cases. I'd appreciate it."

"Will do, and thank you, sir."

He hangs up, and I look over to Donut. "Looks like the two of us are about to try something new. Whatcha think?" He barks, offering me his paw.

"Yeah, me too. This might just be the change we've been looking for."

As I say the words, I realize it's true. I've not felt complete the last few months in my role at Laurel Springs PD, if I'm honest, part of that is because I haven't moved up. I don't feel as if I'm respected, because I'm still the rookie. I want my co-workers to look at me differently, but I don't know how to make the change. Maybe this is it.

My stomach growls, and I realize I haven't eaten in a while. I'd normally go to The Café, but I'm trying to save money so I can get out of this rental. I meal-prepped chicken and veggies earlier in the week, and now I'm thanking myself. Grabbing the container out of the fridge, I stick it in the microwave and turn it on. As I'm waiting for it to finish, my phone rings.

It's my younger brother requesting to FaceTime.

"Hey fucker," I answer, leaning my forearms on the counter. "What's going on? Why aren't you in class?"

"The professor is sick, so it was canceled. Thought I would call and see what's going on. It's been a while." He rubs his hand through his hair.

"It has, but I figured you were doing all the cool college stuff and didn't want to talk to your older brother. Since you know I'm a member of adult society and upholding the law."

He laughs. "I'm an adult too. Just because I'm in school doesn't mean I'm not an adult. At some point you're gonna have to let me grow up, Mad."

What he says hits me hard in the chest. "I know, but I've taken care of you for most of your life, and it's hard to turn that off. How are your grades?"

Beckett throws his head back, groaning. "Oh my god, do you have to be such a stick in the mud? They're good. I'm on track to have almost a 4.0. Although I've been having a good time, I'm keeping things in perspective."

"Good, I'm proud of you. Have you talked to mom lately?"

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