Behind the Badge: Obsession in the Shadows

Gregory Griffin

I lightly blush.

"Okay, maybe just a little." I am embarrassed.
He softly chuckled at me.

"Tell me about yourself." He says this before taking a bite of food.

"Well, I'm an only child. My mom and dad died about six years ago in a head-on collision. My favorite color is blue. I love to bake. I love to read and draw as well." I mean taking a sip of water.

"What about you?" I say

"Well, I'm an only child too. My dad passed away from cancer three years ago. My mother committed suicide when I was 13. My favorite color is red. I love to play poker and video games. I like to hike too." He tells me to carefully drink his water.

"I'm so sorry to hear about your parents passing. I know how hard it can be." I say, smiling at him.
"I appreciate that. Madison. It's gotten a little easier as time goes on; it's never really gone, but it's come in."
"Waves." We both say it at the same time.

Our plates were empty now, but the conversation continued.

"So, Madison, do you have a boyfriend?" Gregory asks me.

"Me? No. Most people could do better than me. So I've stayed single most of my life, accepting a couple of middle school boyfriends." I tell him, laughing a bit.

"Madison, don't say that again. I think you are breathtaking." He tells me with stern eyes.

"Well, thanks." I am not believing him.

"You are welcome. What are your plans for the future?" He asked me, leaning back.

"Well, I'm slowly saving up to buy my bakery," I tell him with a big smile.

"Oh? Do you have a building in mind?" He asks me.

"No, not exactly; I know I might have to lease a building," I tell him honestly.

"I see. What about a family?" He asks me.

"A family? Like kids?" I ask him, curious.
He nods in agreement.

"Well, I've never really thought about it, honestly. Probably not. I don't know, maybe?" I tell him I am unsure.

"I'm sure with the right guy, you will change your mind." He states that he is taking another drink from his glass.

"Maybe, who knows?" I say it with a smile.

"What about you? Do you want kids?" I ask him, genuinely curious.

"With the right woman, yes." He is staring intently at me.

"I guess I get that. Why have kids with someone you don't want to?" I say it with a small smile.

"Same question you asked me: what are your plans for the future?" I ask him.

His eyes show mixed emotions.
"Well, hopefully, I'll become a captain in a few years." He says it plainly, as though he wants to say more but doesn't.

"Is that something you always wanted to do?" I ask him.

"Did I always want to be a cop?" He asks me with unreasonable eyes.

"Yes, did you always want to be a cop?" I repeat.

"Yes, I did, even when I was a boy. Because my uncle is a cop, I guess it was inevitable." He tells me:

"One could say destiny," I say with a smirk, picking up our plates.

"I'm going to wash these off quick. You are welcome to follow me if you'd like to." I tell him.
He just nods, gets out of his chair, and follows me into the kitchen.

I wash the dishes as he stands and watches me.
"I just want to tell you thank you again for changing out my lock. You are a lifesaver." I said, quickly pecking his cheek. Before turning my attention back to the last of the dirty dishes from dinner,

Gregory glances at his watch.

"No problem, Madison. I wanted to. Well, I should probably get going. I gotta shower when I get home." He says to me:

I turn off the water and say, "Let me walk you out." I say with a small smile, wiping my hands on the kitchen towel.

We make our way to the door.

Gregory says, "I hope it's not too forward, but I was wanting to ask for your number." He says.

"Do you have your phone on you?" I ask him.

He vigorously nods to say yes.

Pulling his phone out.

He unlocks it and hands it to me.

I type in my phone number in the dial space.

"There you go," I say with a smile.

He dials it, and my phone rings.

"Just checking." He winks

I playfully roll my eyes, opening the front door.

He walks out.

Standing there.

He looks at me intently.

He leans in, slowly placing a quick peak on my lips.

Making my cheeks heat up.

"Nice seeing you, Madison. May I message you
tomorrow?" He asks me.

"Sure, why not?" I laugh

"Goodnight Gregory." I wave as he walks away.

He waves back before opening his door. I close my door and lock it snugly.

I felt an involuntary blush paint across my cheeks.

I walk back into the kitchen and wash the dishes.
Softly humming.

There was a soft knock on my door.

I turn the water back off and walk to the door. I peek through the peephole and see Gregory.

I open the door.

"Hey, do you mind if I come in while I try to get ahold of a tow truck? The cruiser isn't starting." He tells me:

"Absolutely," I say, moving my body for him to come inside. Closing and locking it behind him.

I walk back to the kitchen and finish the couple of dishes I have.

"They will be here in 30 minutes. I'm just going to wait in my car. Sorry, your road is just loud." He tells me:

"It's no problem; I completely understand," I say,
following him to the door.

He unlocks it this time.

Pecking my lips one more time, "The only good thing that came out of my cruiser freaking down is that I got to steal another kiss from you." He says it with a smirk.