What Lies Beneath The Clearing

12.1

"Hey Jay!"

Jay turned around, seeing Detective Rawson jogging in his direction from the entrance doors. He held out Jay's phone as he got close.

"Forgot your phone man."

"Thanks. Sorry, my head's all over the place right now. Feels like I can't think straight."

"It's cool, no worries. It was pretty bad ass when you took that guy down who hassled you back there. You seemed pretty riled up."

Detective Rawson stopped on the other side of Jay's car as he stood by the driver's side door. He sighed as he shook his head.

"Just some personal stuff. I shouldn't be bringing it to work with me. Messes things up you know?"

"Yeah I get it. But sometimes you can't help it man. Listen, we're going out for a few drinks, you should join us. Take a few worries away."

"Thanks, but I can't. I gotta head back to the hospital, make sure Lennox is okay. Maybe next time."

"Yeah, next time. You know you're pretty sweet on her." Rawson watched Jay frowned as if he didn't know who he was talking about, so he elaborated. "Lennox."

"Oh." Jay thought of how to respond.

Just doing my job. Making sure she stays out of trouble. It's the least I can do. All valid and appropriate statements. All not what he wanted to say. Deliberation over, he nodded slightly.

"Yeah. She's a good kid. She's going through a lot, I'm just...trying to make sure she doesn't go through it alone." Jay said slowly.

His voice indicated that he wasn't trusting of his own words or the way they sounded, but when Rawson nodded with approval he felt himself relax.

"That's cool of you. She's lucky to have you looking out for her."

"Thanks man."