Page 90 of Road Trip
Children. Relationships. Drama.Whoa. I needed to get focused. I looked at the clock and realized I’d been standing in the same spot thinking for almost a half hour. Manny would be in here momentarily if I didn’t get moving.
I intended to take most of my stuff, my uniforms, my guns, my laptop, my guitar, and a few keepsakes. I didn’t want to worry about it while I was gone. I was already pondering whether I wanted to hang onto this place. I felt much more relaxed at the ranch. I’d be closer to Abra that way.
When I came back out, Ramirez was zipping up the duffel. “Sorry, man, I didn’t mean to bust your chops earlier.”
“It’s fine,” I said, shrugging it off. I had too much on my mind to add getting pissed at my best friend. “Look, I love Abra, man. I plan to get back to her as soon as possible and stay by her side as long as she needs me. I plan to take advantage of this time.” I swallowed hard, still not sure how I felt about going back to work.
Ramirez must have picked up on it. “Hey, man, that was some fucked up shit you went through. I know when I got shot I didn’t think I’d be able to go back to patrol. Scariest fucking time of my life. But fire, dude? That’s some shit right there.”
I dropped my other duffel with my clothes on the couch and rested my hands on my hips. “I don’t know, man. After the case we just testified at and now this? I don’t know. How was it when you went back out there?”
Manny had been shot during a traffic stop. He’d told me the story one night in the gym. Thankfully he had been able to go back to work and didn’t suffer too many lasting effects. Physically, anyway.
“You know how it is. Just stay busy. Watch your back. Call for backup when you get that tingle in the back of your neck.”
A true cop’s cop. But that was as deep as Manny would go about anything. Every once in a while he would let on that something really bothered him, but most of the time his machismo did the talking and he’d just suppress any negative emotions. A lot of cops were like that. Especially with each other. They’d talk to someone outside the force occasionally, but they’d keep it in.
“I was thinking of putting in for something off the street for a while and Reynolds said she’d arrange it. I had been considering School Resource Officer or Youth and Family Services or even Domestic Violence. I want to make detective eventually and I’ll need that experience.”
I didn’t know how Ramirez would take that. He was kind of an adrenaline junkie and never wanted to work a desk.He was a natural with people, victims and perps equally. He did his job very well, and I’d learned a lot from working with him the past two years. But I had always wanted to do more as a cop. I’d always wanted to have the ability to really help the community. I didn’t feel like I’d had much opportunity to do that recently.
“You gotta do what you gotta do. I just pray I don’t get stuck with some newb or some out of shape ass I gotta drag along every time!”
Ramirez and I had little tolerance for cops who let themselves go. Our department frowned on it, but that didn’t mean there weren’t some guys who were more than happy to just let their partner do all the work. Ramirez would do it, but he’d grumble about it.
“Whatever I decide, we’ve got training to do, right?”
The Police Olympics were coming up in a few months and I planned to add a few events in weightlifting. Ramirez and I worked out together, and he was thinking of moving from boxing to weightlifting because he was tired of ‘banging up his pretty face.’
“Damn straight! All right. Let’s load up this shit. You need me to help unload at the ranch?”
“Nah. I’m good. Just going to drop this stuff off and head to the hospital. Abra’s Gran had surgery this morning, and I hated leaving her even for a little while.” I’d been gone an hour and a half already. I was worried, so I texted Abra.
Just finishing at my house. I miss you already.
Her answer came right away.
I’m worried. She’s still in surgery and they haven’t told me anything yet. And I miss you, too, Farm Boy.
“Farm Boy? What the fuck?” Ramirez was reading over my shoulder.
I was a little shorter than him, which gave him a clear view.
“It’s fromThe Princess Bride. Haven’t you seen it?”
Ramirez snorted and rolled his eyes.
“Princess Farm Boy is more like it!” He razzed me all the way out to the car.
I set the alarm from my phone and shook his hand. “Whatever. Hey, man. Thanks. I appreciate it.”
He nodded and walked to his Dodge Challenger. “No prob. I’m following you back. I’ve got to visitmi familiathis afternoon. It’smi tia’sbirthday and everyone’s getting together. I’d invite you to come, but you’ve got your hands full.” He started to climb in, then stood back up.
“You need any help with your girl’s situation, you let me know. And make sure you report into Reynolds if you see those assholes again,comprende?”
“I got you,” I said, waving before starting up the truck.
True to his word, Ramirez followed me all the way to the driveway leading to the ranch, making several unnecessary turns to be sure we had no tails. He waved as he passed by.
