Page 33 of Truly, Madly, Deeply
“Okay. We… want to help.” Tommy’s father sounded almost desperate to restore peace. “I know an officer at the downtown precinct. I could ask him about their ride-along program.”
Light burst through Tommy’s heart. “Really?”
“Sure.” His dad looked at his mom and then back at Tommy. “I mean… I’m assuming you want to do that. Before making up your mind.”
“I’ve made up my mind.” Tommy had to be clear about that. “This isn’t… some tangent. It’s what I planto do. Kids are out there being trafficked right now.” He returned to his chair. “But yes. I’d love if you could connect me with your friend.”
His mom stared at his dad. “What are you saying?” Her voice sounded shrill. “That you’d… help him make this decision?”
“He said he’s already made the decision, Reagan.” His dad looked down. “We can talk about it later.”
“We need to talk now.” A tear fell onto her cheek. “He’s throwing away his future, Luke. We can’t let that happen.”
Tommy couldn’t believe this conversation was happening right in front of him. He stood. “I’m going to bed. I can’t do this.”
He hugged his dad and then stopped short in front of his mother. “I was worried about how you’d take this.” His own eyes felt damp. “But I never thought… you’d react like this.”
“Tommy…” His mom called after him as he walked away. “I’m sorry. It’s just… you can’t be a police officer right out of high school!”
That last line stopped Tommy cold. He turned and stared at his mother. “I’m not going to respond to that. Mom, I… I’ve never seen this side of you.”
“Reagan.” His father sounded disappointed. “Please.” He looked at Tommy. “Son, we’ll talk more later. Your mother… she needs time.”
“Okay.” Tommy nodded at his dad and gave his mom a final look. “I hope you’re better tomorrow.”
Once he was in his room, Tommy exhaled. He trudged across the floor and dropped to his knees at the foot of his bed. Only rarely did he do this when he prayed. Most recently during Annalee’s scan. And now, in light of his aching heart.
He had no choice tonight.
With his head bowed, he asked God to help his mom understand and he thanked Him for his father’s response. Then he prayed for the real reason he was on his knees. Annalee’s health, her survival. And he promised God this wasn’t the only time he’d be here begging for help. He’d be here every night.
Until Annalee was well.
12
Luke’s head was spinning. He called in to the office that morning and told his secretary he wouldn’t be in. “Reschedule my meetings and cancel my calls,” he told her. “Something’s come up.”
Something Luke had never imagined. That his son who had aced school all his life would change his mind about attending college and choose a career in law enforcement. Reagan had gotten up earlier than usual and left him a note on her pillow.
Gone to workout.
I’ll shower there.
I have work at school all day.
I love you, but Luke… we need to talk later.
At least she’d told him she loved him. Last night when they went to bed Reagan hadn’t said a word to him. Not a single word. He understood. She was angry because he’d brought up the Indianapolis ride-along program. But that was only because Luke had wanted to help somehow. Reagan’s reaction had been so negative. Their son clearly needed an ally.
Even after taking a night to process their new reality, Luke could barely draw a full breath. Tommy wanted to be a cop? He wanted to skip school when Ivy League universities were offering him full-ride scholarships because of his grades?
Reagan’s reaction had been so quick, so biting, Tommy never had the chance to tell them the most important part: why he wanted to do this.
Why would the son of a lawyer—the grandson of a doctor—with grades and test scores better than anyone in the state, suddenly change his mind and want to be a police officer? At a time when some people want to defund police?
But that morning as Luke scrambled a few eggs and made a spinach smoothie, his shock and disbelief gave way to the slightest hint of something else. An emotion he hadn’t expected.
Pride.
