some things can be challenging

Chapter 2

Tim

That night, I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was Lucy and how things went wrong between us. I mean, I wasn't wrong when I said she deserved better. But now I realize she was right about needing a serious talk. What I said in the elevator wasn't enough.

I broke up with her, but now I regret it deeply. I love her so much and all I want is to hold her again. But she's mad at me. I think I took away the happy, playful side of her that I loved so much. Ever since she thought I didn't support her dream of becoming a detective, she's been down. And not getting that promotion crushed her even more. And then on top of all that, I broke up with her. I can't believe I did that. I feel like I'm the reason she's not herself anymore, the real Lucy that I fell in love with.

After a restless night of tossing and turning, I managed to scrape together just enough sleep to function at work the next day. Stepping into the briefing room for roll call, my eyes scanned the familiar faces until they settled on Lucy, seated calmly in the third row. Seeing her there stirred a mix of emotions—I wasn't sure if I should approach her, but part of me yearned to at least exchange a friendly greeting.

"Hey Lucy," I greeted her, a tentative smile on my lips.

"Hey," she replied, her tone slightly hesitant, though she met my gaze squarely. In that moment, I couldn't help but notice that something had changed. The usual spark that defined Lucy seemed dimmed, almost as if a vital part of her had been extinguished.

"Um, Tim, good luck out there," she continued, her words carrying an undertone that hinted at unspoken feelings. I sensed there was more she wanted to say, but perhaps the weight of our recent interactions held her back. I didn't want to push her or add any more pressure to the fragile moment.

"You too," I replied softly, acknowledging her farewell with a simple yet genuine response. It felt like the right thing to say, even though a part of me wished for a chance to delve deeper into what was on her mind.

As roll call commenced and the day's tasks were assigned, I couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease. The encounter with Lucy left me grappling with unanswered questions and a sense of regret. Had my actions irreversibly altered our relationship? Could we ever reclaim what we once had, or was it lost to the weight of misunderstandings and unspoken words? These thoughts weighed heavily on my mind as I prepared to face the day ahead, uncertain of what the future held for Lucy and me.

***

The day was winding down, and despite the usual distractions of police work—a couple of arrests and dealing with the aftermath of a shoplifting incident—I found myself unable to shake thoughts of Lucy. Even as I processed the paperwork and briefed my team, her presence lingered in my mind like a persistent shadow.

Towards the end of the day, Aaron, always observant, approached me cautiously. "Hey Sarge, you okay?" His voice carried a hint of concern, knowing my tendency to keep things tightly locked away.

"Yeah, it's nothing," I replied softly, a departure from my usual brusque demeanor. Aaron, sensing something was amiss, didn't press further, but his watchful eyes spoke volumes.

"You can talk to me, Sir. I promise it stays between us," he offered earnestly, and for a fleeting moment, I considered his invitation. Maybe it would help to unburden me, just a little.

"Hey Aaron, can I ask you something?" I ventured, the words coming out calmer than I felt inside.

"Of course, anything, Sir," he replied without hesitation.

"Do you think Lucy will ever forgive me? I still love her so much, but I don't know..." I trailed off as we pulled up to the station, seeking his perspective on the matter.

"Knowing Lucy, I'm sure you guys will figure things out somehow. Just give her some time," Aaron reassured me, his words carrying a sincerity that eased a small weight off my chest.

We headed into the station, both lost in our thoughts, and I took the opportunity to change out of my uniform in the locker room. Running into Angela and Nyla on my way out, I greeted them briefly, sensing their preoccupation with their tasks but wanting to acknowledge them nonetheless.

Driving home, the city lights flickered past as I continued to wrestle with my thoughts. Eventually, I made a decision: I would give it another week before reaching out to Lucy. Maybe then, with some time and space, we could have the conversation we desperately needed.

As I settled in at home, the night enveloped me, and I found solace in the quiet contemplation of what lay ahead. Lucy was still on my mind, but perhaps there was hope yet for us to navigate through the turmoil and find our way back to each other.