Page 20 of Chasing Fireflies

“Hi, I’m Cash’s wife. I got off early and wanted to see if he could give me a ride home.”

“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you! I’m Anne Rogers, Chief Rogers’s wife.” She sticks out her hand for me to shake, and I give her a good smile. I don’t want to embarrass Cash. I look like shit, but there’s nothing to be done about that.

“It’s nice to meet you also.”

“Here, have a seat and I’ll give him a call.”

“Thank you.”

I take my seat across from her and look around the big enough office. I see a hallway heading toward the back, and there are flowers placed wherever she can possibly fit them. On the filing cabinet, on the coffee table, on her desk, and there’s even a table just for flowers.

After she gets off the phone, she clears her throat. “Cash will be just a little bit. He’s dealing with the Kingsleys. Those two can never get along. They fight until sunrise, and then they make up and sleep all day.” She laughs. “Would you like some coffee? I know it’s a little late for it, but it’s still fresh. I make it all day for Drew.”

“I would love some,” I reply, still feeling the tiredness from getting no sleep last night.

“I’ll fix it for you. Sugar or cream?”

“Just black, thank you. I see you’re good with flowers?”

“Oh, yes, dear. I love me some flowers.”

“Anything you can teach me? I’m trying to grow a small garden.”

“Of course. Do you have good soil? They say success is in the soil.”

“I think so.”

“And what about sunlight? Flowers need a lot of energy to grow. I set mine outside on the sidewalk in the afternoons when the sun shines in front of the office.” She hands me my coffee and takes a seat back in front of her desk.

“Yes. There is plenty of sunshine.” I sip my coffee and hold the cup on my knee.

“Oh, good. Well, I’ll tell ya one thing. Don’t water those babies at midday. It’ll sunburn them. Also, if you get you a little Epsom salt and sprinkle it over your soil, it’ll make your plants grow healthier. Coffee grinds are good for it, too.”

“Don’t you be listening to Anne’s old wives’ tales.” I hear and turn around to see the chief standing by the coffeemaker.

“How do think my flowers got so pretty, Drew?” she says.

“’Cause I buy you Miracle-Gro.” He smiles and winks over at me.

“You do not!” she says sternly. He laughs and I can’t help but smile a little, and it’s actually genuine.

“So, what made you get off earlier today?” Anne asks me.

“Maci said she was getting a migraine and wanted to close up early.” I shrug.

“Oh,” she says, and I see her give Drew a look. I don’t question it, though. The bell on the door rings, and I see my husband.

“Hey.” He smiles, and his smile is always authentic when he looks at me.

“Hey, baby,” I reply.

“Cash, your wife and I were just talking about growing a garden. She says she has one started at your place.”

“Yes, ma’am, she does.”

“How’d it go at the Kingsley’s place?” Drew asks me.

“Fine. They had a little too much liquor, and Joe broke the coffee table when he fell on it. He tripped over Elizabeth’s shoe, and that pissed him off, so he started yelling at her. She started crying and throwing old bread at him, which made him madder because it had mold on it. The neighbors got tired of the screaming, so that’s why they called.”

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