6
Jake
The first two weeks working for Reedsport PD were spent riding with fellow deputy Brad Kolch, learning the town until I could navigate it on my own. There were so many hidden backroads and alleys it sometimes felt as if we’d slipped through a black hole to get from one side to the other. Reedsport was completely different from Atlanta. So… inviting that I often found myself wanting to slow down just to take it in with a little more reverence.
There was a stronger sense of community in Reedsport than I’d seen anywhere else. It wasn’t uncommon to see children on their bikes racing down the sidewalks or neighbors out in the front yards enjoying each other’s company. It created a sense of belonging that made everyone more willing to look out for one another, making my job a little easier.
I snapped another picture of downtown as Brad and I exited the precinct, then sent it to my mom. Brad arched a brow when he saw what I was doing. He’d overheard several of our conversations and knew how worried she was.
“What? I figure if I send her enough pictures of the town, she’ll get off my back.”
Brad chuckled. “Or she’ll fall in love with the place and come for a visit.”
I shrugged. “Wouldn’t mind seeing her if she did.”
It was an adjustment working for a much smaller police department. There were eighteen officers on the force, including two detectives. I’d met all of them this week and had a few expected “new cop on the block” pranks pulled on me, but overall, I’d been overwhelmed with their kindness and acceptance, especially when they heard I was gay. Several people had made it clear I was welcome to bring my partner along to any of our family events, and Sheriff Turner even went out of his way to make sure I knew I could go to him if anyone gave me trouble. It was nice to have that kind of support.
The more I got to know my coworkers and my new town, the more confident I felt about my choice to move here. I still wasn’t convinced I’d stay permanently, but at least I didn’t hate it.
“Today’s kind of a big day for the community,” Brad said.
“Yeah?” I asked, taking a sip of my coffee.
“It’s the seventh anniversary of The Escape and there’s going to be a celebration. You and I are scheduled for security. Should be fun, though. It’s been a couple years since anyone had a concert there, but I heard a few of the local high schoolers were going to play tonight.”
I wracked my brain, trying to remember what the hell he was talking about. “Beckett mentioned something about a community party, but I knew I’d be working, so I wasn’t really paying attention. What’s The Escape?”
He looked surprised. “I haven’t shown you? Oh shit, we need to change that. Sorry! It’s a local hangout for our kids. Well, anyone really. Seven years ago in August, a teenage girl named Elizabeth overdosed. A few of the locals came together to create The Escape, as a way to offer kids like her a safe place to go when they felt like the weight of the world was on their shoulders. It opened September 13th, one month after her death.”
I sighed. “A hangout for kids? Sounds like a place for trouble.”
He shook his head. “Not at all. The place is amazing, Jake. We’ve had less than a dozen calls there in seven years.”
There was already a line of cars parked along the street when we pulled up in front of The Downtown Deli fifteen minutes later.
“The troops must be busy setting up,” Brad said, climbing out. “Come on, I’ll show you around before tonight.”
I followed him through an ornate metal gate and down a narrow alley, slowing my pace to take in the painted walls as we walked. Bright, bold images completely covered the space from the ground up, portraying everything from pirates, musical instruments, and dancing elephants. There were even some paintings on the ground. One looked like a giant pit of lava that you’d fall into if you walked over it.
The end of the alley opened to a courtyard, which was covered in the same vivid, detailed paintings. I turned slowly in awe, taking in all the floating ships, monsters, and jungle animals. Graffiti itself wasn’t all that new to me, considering it lined nearly every alley or bridge back in Atlanta, but it was clear this had been done with purpose, to create beauty in an otherwise forgettable space. The atmosphere was different here too. As if the art was not only accepted but encouraged. I couldfeelwhat Brad meant about it being a safe place.
About twenty people were busy working when we stepped into the courtyard, setting up tables and chairs or arranging a display of some kind on one wall. Eli, the owner of the hardware store who I had met last week, was stringing lights along the walls, while Preston and Beckett were assembling a stage for the concert. Amelia was arranging decorations on the tables with help from someone I didn’t know. I winked at her when she waved at me.
There was a large framed picture of a young woman near the stage. Below it, a poem, written by the girl’s father. It hurt to realize Elizabeth was only seventeen when she died from drugs.Too damn young.
I glanced back at my best friend, remembering his own cruel history with drugs. Beckett and Tosh’s background held permanent scars from their mother’s addiction. Beckett had spent nearly three years in foster care after his mom was caught selling drugs. She’d spent a year and a half in jail followed by another year of rehab. When she’d failed her final drug test, Beckett’s sister, Tosh, had been granted custody of him. She’d been only twenty-four, and he was only sixteen, which meant both of them had been forced to grow up too fast. I didn’t meet Beckett until after all this when we’d both joined the army, but I had seen enough of the aftermath to know how hard their life had been. Their story was the reason I hated drugs so much.
Just as I was about to offer my assistance in setting up the tables, a familiar face started heading my way.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he said.
“Oh, hey.” I suddenly felt a little guilty. I’d fucked this guy twice. The least I could do was remember his name. Ivan, maybe? Or Ian?
“Please tell me you’re working security tonight. I’d love to dance with you, especially in uniform.” He bit his lip as his blue eyes trailed up and down my body. “Wouldn’t mind seeing yououtof it again either.”
I was saved from answering when Brad stepped in beside us. “Hey, Isaac.”
Isaac!That was it!
