Cop Duty
FlashNano 2019, Day 1
“Hey, Sánchez! What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Jonesy. The homeless from Monday?”
“Oh yes, I heard. Poor woman. Your shift?”
“Yes. I want her personal effects.”
“I didn’t know there was going to be any further investigation.”
“There isn’t. It was an accident. Cho and I were on the scene, no doubt.”
“Damn, Sánchez, I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.”
“Wait. You’re picking her things… Nobody has reclaimed her?”
“No.”
“Bummer. Back in a sec. Fill in the form, willya?”
“Sure, Jonesy.”
“Here it is. Damn, such a small bundle.”
“Yes.”
“Listen, Sánchez, I know what you do. I know how you want to help, but…”
“What, Jonesy?”
“Nothing. You know, I was once like you. Not like you you, I mean, but like you youngsters. Full of energy. I wanted to do everything. I wanted to serve and protect. To clean the streets.”
“I…”
“Yes I was. I know what they say about me. Pushing papers, warehouse duty. Easy-peasy. Thing is… thing is, let’s say I broke. Completely. Couldn’t take it any longer. I lost it. I thought I’d never be a cop again.”
“What happened?”
“Sarge happened.”
“Sarge?”
“Yes, Sarge. The Ogress herself. She brought me back, and up. I’m doing my duty here. No fancy, no arrests, but I can keep my sanity.”
“Jonesy…”
“I know. But I see all of you come here… Just take care. Remember there’s still a world out there beyond the streets we see everyday.”
“Okey. I will.”
“Good girl, Sánchez. It’ll help you stay alive a little longer. Now, are you going to open that?”
“Yes. Yes.”
“That red sweater… I used to have one like that. Shit, Sánchez.”
“The size. It’s a kid size.”
This is my flash for Day 1 of FlashNano 2019, a brilliant idea from Nancy Stohlman. Prompt was “ Write a story that includes a red sweater.”
