A Second Chance

A Broken Heart

It had been two years since Stef Foster lost her wife and daughter but to the cop it felt like just yesterday and the pain was just as intense. Some days were better then others but for the most part it never got easier. Plunging herself into her work as a cop was really the only way she knew how to deal and cope with the lose and moving from Sacramento to San Diego as well. Mostly, she spent her days working overtime and picking up every extra shift she could and working nights. But it was the only way she knew how to deal with her grief and the only way she could keep herself from failing apart completely. Her heart was broken and no one could ever repair it.

Pouring a cup of coffee as she was about to start another shift her head was actually killing her as she took a seat her desk. It had been a long night and her and Mike had busted a few girls for prostitution and selling drugs. Most of them were no older then 16 and it killed her seeing it each time. But she understood and knew most of them came from broken homes, foster homes, and had been runaways with no guidance and no one to help them.

"Those girls are something else Stef. Got a scratch up my arm from one of them. Dug her nails deep into me."

"You alright?" She asked looking up from her glasses.

"Yeah. No big deal. Hey you ever go home this morning?"

"No I just stayed and took a nap in the back."

"You gotta get some sleep Stef. How do you function on so little? Can't be good."

"Ha just do. I never needed much."

"Yeah I know. Meanwhile I need about 20 hours a night!"

"Ha! Weakling." She chuckled and shaking her head as she looked at the files from the girls they brought in last night. Each one had a record a mile long and she knew the cycle would continue. They would all be sent to Juvie or group homes where they would run off again and be picked up for the exact same thing. It was endless. "You know one of those girls is 14."

"Yeah I know. It's a mess."

"So Stef how you doing? I mean um I know it's a hard week for you and all. Do you need anything? Do you want me to come over or you can come over my place. You need someone to go to Sacramento with you?"

"No I'll be ok. I signed up for a few more shifts this week."

"Look I get it both me and Monte. Listen, we are having a barbecue this weekend. Why don't you just stop by for even an hour. No questions asked nothing."

"I'll think about it.Thanks." the cop smiled softly as she took another sip of her coffee. 

"I am here. I mean if you want to talk or if you don't." He reassured as the blonde nodded her head. Mike knew how his sister was and knew her better then anyone. The lose of her wife and daughter had been a tremendous blow to him as well for he had lost his niece. He too had dealt with the grief of it and many days it ate him alive as well. However, the thing he had tried to do the most was let his sister heal the best she could and in the last few months had tired to set her up on a few dates. But she bailed out most times just saying she wasn't ready and didn't want to open her heart to anyone again.

"Well if you do decide to come it would be fun. Monte is inviting this new Vice Principal she hired at school. Nice women. Her name is Lena."

"Mike." the blonde warned.

"What? Look I'm just saying she's nice that's all."

"Yeah, I know what you are really saying."

"Stef, I'm not trying to hook you up with anyone. Honestly. I'm just trying to get you to stop working so much and spending so much time alone. That's all. Can you blame me for wanting to help my sister?"