The babysitter

Hard Work

Lucy sat at her desk, textbooks spread out in front of her, highlighters scattered like confetti. The late afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting golden stripes across her notes. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples, and let out a long sigh.

"Why did I think this was a good idea again?" she muttered to herself, flipping through yet another chapter of her criminal law textbook.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, and she glanced at the screen. It was a text from Tim:

Tim: How's it going?

Lucy smiled faintly and picked up her phone to reply.

Lucy: Just trying to figure out how to survive this training without completely losing my mind.

A moment later, his response came through.

Tim: You'll be fine. You've got the brains and the grit. Just remember, no shortcuts on the physical stuff. Consistency is key.

Lucy rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her grin. Tim's advice was always blunt but undeniably helpful.

Lucy: I'll remember that when I'm on the verge of collapsing from push-ups. 😅

Tim: Push-ups don't kill people. Sloppy technique does.

Lucy snorted at his response. Tim was nothing if not practical.

Over the next few weeks, Lucy threw herself into her training with renewed determination. The physical aspect was grueling—long runs, obstacle courses, and endless drills that left her muscles aching—but she didn't back down.

One evening, after a particularly brutal session at the academy, Lucy sat on her couch, her legs draped over the armrest, scrolling through her phone. She hesitated for a moment before texting Tim again.

Lucy: Do you have any tips for improving endurance? I feel like I'm hitting a wall.

It didn't take long for his reply to come through.

Tim: Build it slowly. Don't try to run a marathon overnight. Mix in intervals—short bursts of intensity with rest in between. And hydrate.

Lucy: Hydrate? What am I, a plant?

Tim: Plants don't complain as much.

Lucy laughed out loud, startling herself. She hadn't realized how much she needed that laugh until it happened.

Lucy: Okay, Sergeant Know-It-All. Thanks.

When she wasn't running drills or studying case law, Lucy found herself missing Emma. The little girl had a way of brightening her day like nothing else. Occasionally, she'd get a text from Tim with a picture of Emma and Kojo playing in the yard or snuggling on the couch.

One evening, Tim sent her a photo of Emma holding the stuffed bunny Lucy had given her, a huge smile on her face.

Tim: She still sleeps with this every night.

Lucy's heart swelled.

Lucy: That makes me so happy. Tell her I miss her.

Tim: She misses you too. Come visit when you get a break.

Lucy's routine became a blur of studying, physical training, and the occasional message to Tim for guidance. One night, as she was reviewing her notes on patrol procedures, her phone buzzed again.

Tim: Don't forget to stretch after workouts. You'll thank me later.

Lucy: I hate that you're always right.

Tim: Get used to it. 😎

Despite the exhaustion, Lucy felt a sense of pride building within her. She was making progress—slow but steady—and she knew Tim's unwavering confidence in her was part of what kept her going.

One Saturday morning, Lucy laced up her running shoes and headed to the park for a jog. The crisp air filled her lungs as she started her warm-up, the sound of birds chirping a welcome contrast to the chaos of academy life.

As she rounded the bend of the trail, she spotted a familiar figure walking toward her—Tim, with Kojo trotting happily by his side.

"Hey, look who's here!" Tim called out, waving.

"Kojo!" Lucy exclaimed, crouching down as the dog bounded toward her, tail wagging furiously.

Tim walked up, a smirk on his face. "Thought I'd get in a run, but someone insisted on coming along."

Lucy scratched Kojo behind the ears, laughing. "He's the best running buddy."

"Better than me?" Tim teased.

"Don't push your luck," Lucy shot back, standing up.

They fell into step together, jogging along the trail. Tim offered pointers on pacing and breathing, while Kojo occasionally darted off to sniff at interesting smells.

Afterward, as they cooled down on a park bench, Tim handed Lucy a water bottle. "You're doing great, Chen. I can tell you've been putting in the work."

Lucy took a sip, smiling. "Thanks. Coming from you, that means a lot."

"Just keep at it," Tim said. "You've got what it takes."

For the first time in a long time, Lucy truly believed him.