Page 11 of Always Mine
He let out a heavy breath. His hand fisted. “I don’t think I ever will.”
The chief gave him a questioning look. “What are you saying?”
“I’m not sure I want to come back to the department.”
“That’s understandable. You have to deal with what happened to you first.”
Diego just stared at him.
“Well, you can’t make any decisions now. You’ve got too much ahead of you. And remember, you’re under the law enforcement insurance. You’ll need it for your physical healing. And we have mental health coverage too.”
Just then the nurse came back. “Sorry, lieutenant, it’s time for your vitals.”
The chief stood. “Hang in there, son. I’ll visit you at home.” And he left.
Diego sighed deeply. The chief should have listened. He wasn’t sure he could ever be a cop again.
* * *
“Hello, ladies.”
Both Maisy and Annie looked over to the door of Annie’s classroom.
Annie said, “Hello, Jackson.”
“Hi, Mr. Kane.”
He focused on Maisy. “It’s Jackson, Maisy. I asked the whole staff to use my first name since day one.”
“That’s right.”
He glanced around. “All set for today?”
“I think so.”
“Me, too.”
Annie motioned him to a chair. He joined them.
The man was spectacular looking, with his dark hair and blue eyes, big build and easy manner. Moreso, she respected him for what he’d done in his life and of course, for the creation of Pathways.
“So, what’s going on in your classes today?”
“We’re starting lessons on war.” Annie rolled her eyes. “Usually the guys love it.”
“What will you do in class?”
“Since it’s the first day of the unit,” Annie volunteered, “I’m going to start with a questionnaire about war, then in my class we’ll begin readingRifles for Watieout loud.”
“I don’t know that book. You have an extra copy of it?”
“Sure.” Annie got up and walked to the storage closet. Jackson always took an interest in class content. And sometimes, when a teacher was sick, he taught the class himself.
“What about you, Maisy?”
“I’ll start with a discussion, too. We’re going to be studying the Civil War.” Maisy inclined her head. She seemed tense, now.
“Here for your monthly visit?”
