Badges and Bikes

Chapter 8

I am off work the next day so I am being lazy. I sleep until six o'clock instead of five. I get up and make two scrambled eggs and bacon. After eating I go to the grocery store. Then I wash my laundry.

I start my lazy day at about noon. Mom calls and we go to the nail salon for manicures and pedicures. She says nothing about the cracked lip. It is nice to get pampered for the first time in years.

"Thank you for suggesting this. I really needed this." I tell her as we are getting our toenails painted.

"It has been so long since we had a girls day. I miss that."

"Why don't we start doing them again? I will love doing this more often!"

"We can make that happen. Maybe even squeeze in a massage and lunch?"

"Absolutely! You're the best mom! But this is my treat." I tell her as the technician is finishing up with my right foot. I thank her and she smiles at me.

Mom and I go to get a drink at gpa's bar. Everyone is looking at us strangely. Gma comes in and sits down beside us and looks around. "Well! It looks like the rumors have hit the bar already!" She said loud enough for a few people to hear.

"What rumors, mom?" My mom asked gma.

Gma looks at us. "The ones that say that Griffin is cheating on you. You haven't heard?"

Mom and I both shook our heads. "That is totally rediculous! Everyone knows that dad is as faithful as a monk to mom. And she to him. " I will defend my family to the end.

"What are the rumors exactly?" Mom asked calmly.

"People are saying that Griffin was seen hugging and kissing a young woman yesterday. He apparently told her that he loves her. She said that she loved him too. When someone confronted her about it, she didn't deny it."

I start laughing loudly. Mom and gma, along with everyone in the bar looks at me. Mom raised her eyebrow at my outburst.

"Care to share, babygirl?" Gpa asked as he approaches our table. 

"Sure, gpa! I'm laughing because the young woman that they are saying is having an affair with dad, is me! I called for backup yesterday and none was available. So I called dad. He came and helped me out. After we got the situation straightened out, he kissed my forehead, as he always does. What the rumor mongers are leaving out is that dad also called me sweetheart and babygirl. As he has always done for as long as I can remember."

Now we are all laughing. So are some people around us. I notice that several people are on their phones. Either texting or calling to spread the news. I know that I will not be able to keep my relationship to dad a secret at work much longer. Oh well, I'm not going to be there much longer anyway. 

We soon leave for home. Mom doesn't just drop me off and leave. She follows me inside. I can tell that something is heavy on her mind. I sit on the sofa and turn for her. I wait on her to let it off  her mind in her own way and time.

"Tell me what is going on, sweetheart? First you needed dad to back you up instead of your fellow coworkers. Then these busted lips. You aren't your usual happy-go-lucky self. I know that you haven't  been happy since David passed. But you used to fake it. You don't do that any more. I know that something is weighing on your mind. I want to know if I can help you through it. I just want you to talk to me. I can't help you or be a good listener, if you don't talk to me." Mom looked into my eyes. 

I see that this is heavy on her mind and heart. "I have a huge problem with my coworkers. They don't like to help me. So they don't. I have called dad a couple times for help and he has come. I usually do it myself. I might end up with a bruise or busted lip. I have decided not to sign a new contract when mine is up in a couple weeks. Now I just have to decide what to do after that. I have always wanted to be a cop. I've never thought of being anything else. I'm lost, mom"