This was someone who understood how to give care, just struggled to know how to receive it.
Five minutes passed. Zeus finished his water, shook himself, and settled into a more relaxed posture. His tongue lolled out of his mouth, and his tail gave a small wag when Maddox scratched behind his ears. The shift from working mode to off-duty was visible, and Maddox clearly recognized it.
Maddox straightened and scanned the crowd and raised her voice just enough to carry across the space. “Emma, come here.”
The girl was off like a shot, her mother following more slowly. Emma skidded to a stop in front of Maddox, vibrating with excitement but managing to hold still.
“Okay,” Maddox said, her tone gentle but instructive. “Zeus is ready now, but you need to approach him the right way. You need to go slow, let him sniff your hand first, then you can pet his shoulder, not his head. Got it?”
Emma nodded solemnly, extending her hand with exaggerated care.
Zeus sniffed, his tail wagging once, and then allowed the small hand to rest on his shoulder. Emma’s face transformed into pure joy, the kind of uncomplicated happiness that came from getting exactly what you wanted and having it be even better than you expected.
“He’s so soft,” Emma whispered, as if speaking too loud might break the spell.
“He sheds everywhere,” Maddox said, and there was something approaching humor in her voice. “I vacuum twice a week and still find fur on everything I own.”
Emma giggled, still petting Zeus with reverent gentleness. Her mother stepped forward, her phone out. “Would you mind if I took a picture?”
Maddox hesitated for half a second then nodded. “Sure.”
The mother snapped a photo of Emma beaming beside Zeus and Maddox standing off to the side, not quite in the frame but present. Emma thanked Maddox three times before her mother finally steered her away, and then other children started coming forward, emboldened by Emma’s success.
Maddox allowed it and supervised the interactions, making sure Zeus wasn’t overwhelmed. She explained to each child the proper way to approach, corrected their overeager hands, and praised the ones who listened. Jade watched the entire interaction, cataloguing details she knew Maddox would neveracknowledge in therapy. This wasn’t the woman who sat rigid in the converted conference room, deflecting every question with professional distance. This was someone who understood how to connect when it had structure, clear rules, and defined endpoints.
After ten minutes, Maddox raised her hand. “That’s enough for today, folks. Zeus needs a real break now. Thanks for coming out.”
The children walked off, some disappointed but most satisfied, and Maddox loaded Zeus back into the K-9 vehicle. She pulled out a Kong toy from the back, gave it to Zeus as a reward, and closed the door to let him rest.
When she turned, she was facing Jade’s booth.
For a moment, they made eye contact across the fifty feet of grass and scattered families. Maddox’s expression was unreadable behind her sunglasses, but she didn’t immediately turn away. Instead, after a beat of hesitation, she started walking in Jade’s direction.
Jade kept her posture relaxed and non-threatening, making it clear this was Maddox’s choice to approach.
Maddox stopped a few feet from the table, hands in her pockets and shoulders squared. “Dr. Kessler.”
“Officer Shaw.” Jade gestured toward the now-closed K-9 vehicle. “Zeus is impressive. You both are.”
“It’s his job.” Maddox’s tone was neutral. “He’s good at it.”
“So are you,” Jade said simply. “That was excellent work, both the demonstration and the way you handled the kids afterward. Not every officer would take the time.”
Maddox shifted her weight, clearly uncomfortable with the compliment but not deflecting it outright. “Kids remember positive interactions with police. It matters for community relations.”
Jade almost smiled at the clinical framing, but she let it slide. “Emma will remember today for a long time. You made her feel special.”
“She waited,” Maddox said, as if that explained everything. “Most kids don’t. They rush in, don’t listen, and make it harder for everyone. She waited, so she was rewarded.”
Jade didn’t point out the softness in Maddox’s voice when she’d called Emma over first. “Well, it was good to see you in a different setting outside the office.”
Maddox’s jaw tightened. “To observe me?”
“Observing everyone,” Jade corrected. “It’s helpful to understand how officers interact with each other and the community. Context matters for the work I do.”
Maddox didn’t look entirely convinced, but she didn’t push back either. She glanced toward the table, taking in the pamphlets and sign-up sheet. “Did anyone actually stop by?”
“A few. A couple officers asked about group sessions, and one family wanted resources for their teenager. It’s been steady.”
