Page 36 of Redemption

While she talks, I close my eyes, imagining the parking lot of their office. I've always thought it was a fuckin' stalker's paradise. At one point, I told them both that, but they laughed. Slowing my breathing down, I envision it. It's dimly lit, with only a few flickering streetlights casting long shadows that dance eerily across the asphalt. I think about how we can make this place safer—more lights, security cameras, perhaps even a dedicated guard during late hours.

I remember the times I brought it up with the owner of the building, discussions about safety protocols that always seem to get postponed. On more than one occasion I went over there as not only a concerned husband, but as an officer of the law. It's clear now that we can't afford to push it aside any longer. The stark image of Ruby's terrified eyes as I told her about Stephanie's robbery runs through my mind, and a resolve forms inside me.

Ruby's voice pulls me back to the present. "Stephanie's shaken up, but she's with Raven now. He's taken her report, and he's about to take her home."

I nod. "Good. She shouldn't have to face this alone."

"I want to do something for her," Ruby says, her voice a mixture of resolve and guilt. "Something that shows we're here for her."

"That's a good idea," I reply, considering the possibilities. "Maybe we can send her something? Flowers? Or..." I pause, realizing that gestures, while kind, aren't going to solve the larger issue.

Ruby's brow furrows as she comes to the same conclusion. "We're going to hold a meeting. Talk about what happened and figure out real solutions."

I agree, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. I glance at the pizza on the counter, realizing neither of us has much of an appetite now. I wrap it up slowly, as if by doing so, I can wrap up the fear and uncertainty that's seeped into this evening.

"Do you think we could arrange for better lighting in the parking lot?" Ruby asks, coming to stand beside me.

"Absolutely," I reply, grateful she's on the same page. "And maybe security cameras. I'll talk to management in the morning."

Ruby leans into me, her warmth both a comfort and a reminder of how close we came to a very different outcome tonight. "Thank you, Caleb. For always being the voice of reason, I don’t know what I’d do without you."

I kiss the top of her head gently. "We’re in this together. Always. Lucky for you, you'll never have to figure that out."

As the night wears on, we sit on the couch, wrapped in a quiet solidarity. Thoughts of Stephanie, of the danger we can't always predict, linger in the air around us. I know Ruby’s mindis running through various scenarios, much like mine is. Neither of us speaks much more, letting the heaviness of the night settle as we lean on each other, absorbing the shared silence.

Eventually, fatigue begins to overtake the adrenaline, drawing my eyes to the clock. It's late—later than I realized—and I can see the exhaustion etched on Ruby's face.

"Let's try to get some rest," I suggest softly. "We'll tackle everything tomorrow."

Reluctantly, Ruby agrees, and we prepare to turn in for the night. As we lay in the darkness, I can hear the distant hum of traffic outside, mingling with the quiet sounds of Ruby’s breathing.

The image of flickering streetlights plays over and over behind my closed eyelids—a reminder of the shadows we're fighting to illuminate. But wrapped in the familiarity of home, with Ruby beside me, I’m reminded that even on nights like this, there’s strength and comfort to be found in each other.

Tomorrow, we’ll strive to make things right. But for now, in this moment, we're safe. And that is something I cling to as sleep finally takes me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

RUBY

The next morningI head into the office, but when I get to the parking lot, I take a critical look around. There are a bunch of things we can do to make this space safer, and I can't believe we haven't done it before.

Stephanie pulls in beside me, and when she gets out, I throw my arms around her.

"Steph, I've been thinking." I pull back, inspecting her with genuine concern. "We need to make some changes around here to improve safety."

She nods slightly, brushing off the remnants of last night's scare. "I'm okay, Ruby. I promise. It just startled me."

I let out a breath, relieved but still determined. "Still, there are things we can do. Better lighting in the parking lot for starters. And maybe some security cameras?"

Stephanie listens, her eyes softening. "Those sound like good ideas."

"I'll talk to Mark about it this afternoon. See what he'll approve for us to do since we don't own the building. We can’t just sit around and wait for something to happen," I tell her, the resolve firming in my voice.

Stephanie and I make our way to the commons area, spreading all our stuff out, getting ready to get started on the next project at hand. "Speaking of Mark," she begins, stirring her coffee, "how's the planning for the daddy/daughter dance going? Laurel Springs Elementary is still down for it, right?"

I grin, immediately switching gears. "It’s coming along. I’ve been jotting down ideas. We have to make this one special. Not only does he own our building, but he's the new Superintendent of schools, so we need to show up and show out."

Stephanie chuckles over her cup, steam rising like a hopeful spirit. "You always do."

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