“I know it’s not great art,” I said.
Deputy Bobby folded his arms and studied it.
“I know it doesn’t go with the rest of the furniture,” I said.
Downstairs, Indira was puttering around in the kitchen.
“I know Nathaniel Blackwood would be spinning in his grave if he knew how I felt about horse paintings.”
“I like it,” Deputy Bobby said.He glanced at me, and then back to the painting.“The horse was all wrong.This is right.”
Which was a very Deputy Bobby thing to say, I was starting to discover.
Because I had no idea how to respond to that, I finished unpacking my purchases.I’d bought a plant (a golden pothos) in a cute ceramic pot, and I set that near the window.I’d bought a stack of new books, and I displaced a porcelain cherub from the nightstand to make room for them.I put a fluffy (non-skid) rug in the bathroom.A big, bright pillow that clashed terribly with the damask wallpaper went on the bed.Because sometimes a guy just wanted to read in bed, you know?
“I’m getting rid of that stupid clock,” I said.“I’m getting a clock from Radio Shack.”
“I thought Radio Shack went out of business.”
“And I’m putting a giant TV there.And if you say anything about it, I’ll fight you.”
That big, goofy grin broke out again, and Deputy Bobby held his hands up in surrender.
“Okay,” I said.“Thoughts?”
He was silent as he looked around at the changes.Yes, they were small.They were, technically, insignificant.They’d felt like such a big deal, and now, as the heat of the moment faded, they felt silly, childish, like I was playing house.
“This is your home,” Deputy Bobby said quietly.“It should feel like your home.”
And just like that, I was about to cry.
“How big of a TV?”he asked.
That helped, because instead of crying, I could pretend to be mad as I said, “Don’t worry about it.”
With a small smile, he produced something from his pocket.It was a plain envelope, and he handed it to me.
“What’s this?”
“You have to open it.”
That was Deputy Bobby in a nutshell.
I opened the envelope and stared at a map and punch card, both of them labeled Chocolate Chase 101.
“What are these?”
“I realize you’re new in town, and you’re looking for things to do.And I also realize that maybe you don’t want to get dragged to bars or stuck at parties.So, this is a complimentary tour of artisan chocolates, chocolate-based desserts, and hot chocolate.You go to any of the places on the map, and you show them the punch card, and you get to try something.”
My hand tightened around the envelope.My eyes felt hot again.
“I thought you might enjoy that more than being out-hiked by sixty-year-olds.”
Wiping my eyes, I managed to say, “In the first place, you were holding me back!”
Deputy Bobby grinned and made his way to the door and looked back.“It’s for you and a guest,” he said, and his tone, and his smile, and his eyes could have meant anything.“So, you can always take a friend.”
Friends on the Force
