The Town Cop

Law & Disorder

Pushing right past me Raymond stands behind with his hands on his hips rested right above his taser and gun. To say I was shitting my pants would be an understatement. 

"Has he contacted you?" Raymond says with a very tense expression. This was odd for him, I could tell he was angry, but it wasn't about last night. 

Playing dumb I ask "Who?". 

"Cut the shit Bren, you know who"

So he knows about Rollie. "And what if he has?"

"Bren he's dangerous, he's not who you think he is" He is staring me dead in the eye. 

I feel like I have nothing to lose so I let him have it. "Oh and you think you're the posterboy for safety? You are cheating on your wife Raymond, you have kids!"

"Shut the fuck up you don't know anything about me!" He says while pointing at my face. 

"You never tell me anything! All this time and I still don't know why you're fucking with me. Is it to get back at Rollie? Are you trying to punish him?"

Raymond shakes his head. "I want to tell you everything but I don't know what there is to say."

"There's fucking plenty you could say! But we'll start simple, why did Rollie and your family leave 6 years ago?" 

He finally raises his head again. "Can we sit down for a minute?" he asks with wide eyes. I agree and lead him to the living room couch where Charlie was sprawled out. "It's awfully hot in here would you turn the AC on?" he asks. 

"Yeah, about that it's been out for a few days"

"I could come take a look at it this weekend?" I am about to reply with a yes and thank you when my brain remembers what he's done. "Raymond, what happened to Rollie?" I quickly turn back to the subject and he puts his face in his hands. 

"Bren you didn't know him like you think you did, he was very sick, not right.." I cut him off "What the fuck do you mean? Because he was gay? Well you seem to be just fine with a guy sucking your cock so that doesn't seem like a good reason to me"

"No, no it isn't like that. I promise Bren. Our parents weren't the happiest that he was gay, but that's not why they left." This baffles me, all this time I thought it was because of me that Rollie was taken away. 

"Raymond, why was he taken away?". 

"Remember how he beat up that kid that made fun of you?" he says. At this point I can see the tears welling up in his chocolate brown eyes.

"Yes, I told him not to but he wanted them to pay for hurting me."

"Well, there was more to it he.." his voice was cutoff by the police scanner. There was an accident on 7th street, all police were to respond immediately. "I.. I'm sorry I have to go. I want to continue this tonight, can I come back at 8?" This was different for Raymond, he was asking, not demanding. He looked really scared. I nod and he gets up and heads back to the door. "Bren until then please don't talk to him. He isn't who you think he is." And with that last ominous warning he leaves. 

I've never seen him like this. He was so serious, but he wasn't mean to me. I was baffled. I grab my phone and look at the voicemail from Rollie. I decide to call him again. Fuck Raymond what does he know, he's having and affair with a college student behind his wife's back. I hit the call button and my heart starts racing. 

three rings and then he answers. "Ren?" My heart starts to pound harder. His voice sounds just like I remember. I choke out "Hello Rollie" before the lump in my throat cuts off my voice. 

"Can we meet? At our spot? 8 o'clock? I have so much to tell you Ren, I've missed you so so much." 

HIs voice hurts my heart, I shout "YES" a little louder than I should have. "I will see you then Ren.. I love you" and he hangs up. My head is spinning, did he say he loved me? It's been six years but he said he loves me? I remember Raymond's words, but I decide that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't go talk to him. Besides it's Rollie, I knew him better than his own family. 

I spend the rest of the afternoon freaking out and finally at 7 I take a shower and get ready to leave. I grab one of the Wrestling shirts Rollie gave me. I hadn't worn it since he left but I decided it would be worth it to let him know I remember him. Before I leave I give Charlie a pet and leave a note for Raymond. 

I'm sorry Raymond, I have to do this...

I leave the front door unlocked for him and set out for the tree where I last saw Rollie. The smell of the late summer evening was thick in the air. The world seemed so content and peaceful. Somehow I knew after tonight it wouldn't be.