Fall has always been my least favorite time of the year. Not because I hated pumpkins or the changing colors of the leaves, but because it was the beginning of the end to warmer weather. In the spring and summer, everything is fresh and alive, but fall always seemed like the place where things went to die. The older I got and the more I experienced on patrol, the more cemented my view became.
We're only two weeks into the new season, but we had an early cold front this morning, so I made the crucial decision to bump the heater on. That's another thing I hate about the changing of seasons, it's always so cold, and as an officer, I've got no choice but to be constantly exposed to the weather. Directing traffic after events, giving tickets, walking downtown; I can never concentrate as well when I can see my breath in the air.
I got out of the house early this morning, there's a special service in town today, and I'm supposed to be speaking. All year, I dread this day. I dread standing in front of my town, in front of my family, and being expected to know what to say. Each time, I tell myself that it will be easier, but it never is. Nothing I think to say ever seems to be enough, and I always walk away feeling like I've disappointed the ones who matter.
I could hardly sleep last night, so as soon as an acceptable hour came, I jumped out of bed and got ready for the day. I've been driving down different back roads and highways for the last hour, not really taking much in. Sheriff Grady always tries to give me today off, but folds when I tell him that a day at home would be worse. At least if I'm on patrol, I can pretend my mind is occupied.
I'm on my third drive down Highway 64, right before it hits the city limit, when I spot her.
Standing beside a dark green Subaru, wearing denim overalls, was Lennon Walker. I probably would have - no, I definitely would have remembered her even if the only time I had seen her was at the station six weeks ago. But I've done my fair share of school pick ups and drop offs, along with regular parking lot patrols and assisting as crossing guard when they're short on volunteers. I've spoken to Lennon on a few occasions, all short, all just about Nat and how she's adjusting, but each time I've seen her has only confirmed what I knew from the start. She's kind, she's a great teacher, and she cares about her students.
I turn my lights on, pulling off the road right behind her car.
She stands up straight, her focus coming off her back left tire at the sound of my car.
When she sees the patrol car, she looks nervous, like she's been caught doing something illegal, but when she sees it's me, I can see the tension ease.
I unbuckle, exiting my patrol car as I go to investigate. "Mrs. Walker, what's got you on the side of the road this morning?" She runs a hand through her light brown hair, staring back at her very flat tire.
"It seems a nail didn't want me to make it to school this morning," she breathes out a sigh. "I tried calling Aaron, my husband, but he's... busy, and I don't know how to change a tire." I always find myself involuntarily stiffening at his name, which I've heard too much since he's been back. He's been a prevalent figure in our courthouse recently, and though I've yet to have the pleasure of running into him, I hear about him enough.
I make my way to her trunk. "Do you know if you have a spare? I can change it for you and still get you to school on time." She gives me a hopeful smile, still obviously stressed about arriving to school late.
"Here," she moves me out of the way, "it's a bit of an old car." Lennon puts the key into a slot in the trunk, twists, then releases it before stepping out of my way again.
"It's been ages since I've seen someone do that," I lift the trunk open. "What year is this?"
I hear her voice behind me as I look for the compartment with the tire. "1984. When I turned sixteen, I needed a car, but any car made within the last twenty years was out of budget." Finding the latch, I lift it, glad to see she not only has a spare, but a jack as well. "I had just enough saved from my job as a fast food cashier to afford this Subaru wagon. The salesmen said it wouldn't last me two years and I'd be better off with something newer, but that was eight years ago, and she's still going strong."
