Once a month, Ian, Rory, Cam, Danny, and I met for a poker night. Some nights we actually played poker, and others, we just sat around with the tv on and some takeout. We’d been hanging out for a year now, and we were used to Ian and Rory bickering over the highlights. Cam was running late, and it seemed like one of those nights where we were just going to sit around shooting the shit.
Knocking Ian’s feet off the table, I rounded the couch and headed to the kitchen, where Danny was plating up some food.
“I was looking forward to taking your money since you dragged me out of the house tonight,” I said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
Danny and I have known each other since I was a probie and he was a rookie cop. Danny and Cam had gone to high school together, and would invite Danny to the firehouse for the house meals. One night, he walked into the kitchen while I was cleaning and bumping the latest Kendrick Lamar album. We got to talking about our top five songs, my hometown, and his career goals. Since then, we’d been locked in.
“Yeah, yeah, you wish. You needed to come out. These days, the only time we get to link up is when we’re on the same job. Park, you gotta do something other than work.”
“That’s what you keep telling me,” I muttered back, hoping he would drop the subject. The truth was, if I had stayed in tonight, I would have thought about the woman from last night.Evelyn. Since my sisters visited two months ago, he’d been on me about taking time off and going out more. Since that visit, I had been subtly and not-so-subtly prodded about having a work-life balance. Working my way up to Chief meant I had to stay on my grind and put in the work.
The vibration of my left back pocket let me know a call was coming through. I answered without checking the caller ID.
“Woods.”
There was silence, then the sound of a deep exhale over the line. “It’s Evelyn—from the hospital.”
She surprised me. As much as she’d crossed my mind throughout the day, I never thought she would actually reach out for help.
“Yeah, I remember. What can I do for you?”
“I need to find a place to stay tonight, maybe somewhere I can get some spare clothing, possibly a meal.” Her voice tapered off.
“Where are you now if you don’t mind me asking?” My curiosity got the best of me.
“I’m with my neighbor now, but I can’t stay here tonight. If you know a shelter that will take me, I can jump on the subway now.” She rambled about train lines and transit times, and I stayed silent until she finished.
“Evelyn, send me your address. I can take you there myself. It’s too late in the evening for the subway.”
She sounded scared, and knowing her situation, I wanted to help in any way I could. I didn’t mind driving from Queens to Pelham to make sure she got there safely.
“I’ve been taking the subway by myself all my life, I can manage.” She huffed.
“I don’t doubt your capabilities,” I replied, smirking, causing Danny to give me a look of confusion. “I’m a southern man, my mama raised me right. It just wouldn’t sit well with me having you take the subway there. It’ll be quicker and get you a bit closer to getting some rest tonight.”
“Fine. I mean, thank you,” she corrected herself. “I’ll text you the address.”
Hanging up the phone, I checked for my keys and shouted a goodbye to the guys.
“I’m riding with you,” Danny declared as he flipped off Ian and Rory before following behind me to the door.
I didn’t argue with him. He’d always watched my back. Plus, he was a nosey fucker, so I expected to have some company.
Thirty minutes later,I drove past the house I pulled Evelyn out of the night before, to a small brick home a few houses down.Evelyn sat on the porch steps, barely visible under the dim porch light.
I parked in front of the house and got out of the car. Danny followed closely.
Evelyn jumped up at our approach, meeting us in the middle of the walkway. She’s dressed in the same clothing from the night before, except now she wore shoes.
“Hi. Thank you for coming all the way here.” She greeted me as she wrapped her arms around herself. Her eyes were puffy like she’d been crying, and worry lined her brow.
“Happy to.” I smiled, before turning toward Danny to introduce him.
“Evelyn, this is Officer Daniel Morales, he’s a good friend of mine. He’s here to help you in whatever way he can.”
Danny gave her a quick smile before reaching his hand out to shake hers. “You can call me Danny.”
Her arms stayed in place as she stared openly at him.
