False Hope

Chapter 11: Leave Me Or Love Me

She was crying so hard that she was swerving on and off the opposite lane. Desperately, she pulled off to the side of the road, turned her truck off, and cried on her steering wheel. How had it all come down to this? How on earth did a person feel so drained yet find the strength to wail and cry?

Daniel's words played over and over again in her head like a rewinding tape. Everything you're not! For goodness sakes she had raised Tami and loved her willingly. Tami learned so much from her. She knew this because so many people would often stop her at the grocery store or at work and tell her how much Tami's morals had increased because of how she was raising her. Her sister was all she had. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her.

A tap on the window interrupted her thoughts and she returned to reality with a startled jump. Through the tears, she couldn't see who was on the other side of the glass. That's when she realized the flashing lights behind her.

Letting out a groan, she rolled down the window and tried to smile at the officer in front of her. He was young with very nice electric blue eyes and if he wasn't frowning he would actually look very attractive.

Troubled, he asked, "Are you alright Miss?"

With her voice breaking and on the verge of hyperventilating from crying so much she said, "I'm fine."

"You wouldn't believe how many times I've heard that since I got this job. Believe me. When someone says that they're fine, they usually aren't," his eyes held a look of understanding and tenderness. They told her that she could tell him whatever was going on, but the story would probably take all day.

"Did anyone hurt you Miss?"

"No."

Liar.

He took a breathe, "I need your license and registration."

With trembling hands, she removed the items from her wallet and jockey box. He took note of her shakiness by watching her hands closely. She then handed him the items.

He examined them for a few moments and then went to his truck that was parked behind hers to call it in. After a few more tense moments, he walked back to her truck and handed her back the bundles of paper. Tears were still streaming down her face when he returned and he looked concerned.

He dug in his pocket and then retreated his hand holding a tissue which she gratefully accepted. After quietly blowing her nose she felt the tears begin to subside. Knowing they would return soon, she wadded up the tissue and looked at the officer.

"I'm afraid that I need to know why you're so upset Miss," he held out his hand, "we can start with introductions. I'm Elijah Freeman."

She took his hand cautiously as she tried to stop her hand from shaking so much. He had a good firm grip but hers was a little flimsy from shaking so much. She began to pull back but he didn't let go. Skeptical, she arched an eyebrow at him.

"I think this is the part where you tell me your name dear," he gave her a half smile.

She felt herself blush before she realized that he already knew her name from her license. "Officer Freeman I think you already know my name."

He grinned obviously amused, "Yes, but I'm choosing to listen to the expression in your voice when you say your name. I want to get to know you through the attitude you display."

That hit her hard. Who knew a cop could be so deep with selection of words?

"Lily R—"

She stopped herself. Remembering what happened last time when she gave her full name to a man, "Lily Gilbert."