The Rookie

Radar

We were car 210 meaning we didn't have an actual section of town to patrol we just roamed around and provided back up as needed. "We'll be doing mostly traffic stuff, because that's the division we're in, and it's kind of my thing." Regan explained. "Every officer finds something they like, traffic, narcotics, community outreach. I'm sure you'll find yours to." She said switching her eyes between the road and scanning through the previous calls from the overnight shift on the laptop. I just agreed quietly with an okay, knowing full well my plan was to become a Lieutenant one day as well as part of the Motorcycle unit and in the Honor Guard. I was slowly sipping my coffee because I didn't want to have to use the bathroom and be burden to Regan. She pulled into a parking lot and backed into the corner on an angle putting the car in park. She picked up her coffee and took 2 huge gulps, "Thanks by the way" she said raising the cup up. She turned to adjust the Radar equipment on the dashboard.

"Don't mention it, that's the perks of having a friend who works in her parent's coffee shop." I replied flipping through my motor vehicle law book. Regan barely let out a chuckle and I smiled looking up at her. "You okay over there?" I asked trying to finally break through to her.

"Yeah, no I'm good. That girl though she seemed like more than a friend to me" Regan finally cracked a smile. "Sorry you don't have to answer that, I didn't mea-". I began to laugh cutting her off.

"No, no it's cool, I promise. We really are just friends though I've known her since high school." I smiled too, but I acted nonchalant about it. I didn't really want people to know I was a lesbian just yet. I'm not ashamed or anything but I knew people would look at me differently, and some may not like it. I just didn't want to deal with it on top of starting my new job. Silence fell over the car again, and I went back to flipping through my book.

Regan cleared her throat, and sat up "I don't care you know... if you are, I mean?" She looked at me over her sunglasses waving her hand lightly trying to find the right words. I just shrugged it off not responding hoping that would be good enough of an answer for now. Regan didn't push the subject, but I knew she was suspicious of me, but in a good way. "So, we'll be doing a radar here for now so we can start to go over some basic stuff" she explains. She readjusted the Radar equipment a final time and turned on the panel. It dinged and lit up showing our speed, the set speed limit, and the speed of the cars we were tracking. She showed me how to use the laptop and the logging software. Then we went over radar procedures and waited for a car to pull over. "We are looking for speeders for now, but we can run any plates we want through the system and pay attention to the inspection stickers too as they can be a reject or expired and those we can stop as well." She explained, I nodded remembering from the academy but didn't say anything. Just then the radar panel started flashing and beeping, and a silver hatchback went flying by. Regan put on the lights and siren and pulled out after the car down the street. The silver car pulled over and it seemed familiar to me, "Alright Wheeler you're up!" I nodded unsure why she was letting me go instead of her and got out of the cruiser. She got out as well but stayed back watching the traffic and stood by the bumper of the silver car, I tried to remember all my training and approached the vehicle carefully, as I got up to the drivers window my stomach sank. I knew I recognized the car for a reason, as I looked at the driver there she was. Barrett Baylor, my ex-girlfriend looking fine as hell like always. She was tall and slim, had amazing olive skin covered in tattoos with dark brown hair and a pair of dark brown eyes to match. She had on her usual tomboy attire consisting usually of tank tops and gym shorts. Her backwards fitted hat which I'm sure was one she took from me, and the expensive prescription polarized sunglasses that were faux wood with purple lenses that I bought her because she had to have them. She was very materialistic and loved when I had bought her things. I cleared my throat and we looked at each other pausing and sharing that oh shit it's you moment.

"Wow look at you! Finally made it I see!" She said excitedly. I always refer to Barrett as the one who got away, because for starters I was young, stupid, a flirt, and couldn't keep my eyes to myself. Barrett always cared for me so deeply and was always so supportive and kind but to be honest she could be clingy at times. Over the years this made me a little distant, and instead of moving in with her after two years of dating I chose to move in with my best friend Adam. Which as you can imagine pissed her off, I don't blame her though. I also flirted with another girl and stupidly asked her out. Although we never did and nothing had happened, she found out and that summer she had decided it was over and left me after getting a new job in Boston working for a large company. I can't say I blame her as my failure to fully commit and talking to another woman was what ultimatly ended things. Plus, one of her new coworkers had taken a liking to her, and a week later they were dating, and living with each other in the first five months of being together shortly after we had broken up. My friends say it was good that I dodged a bullet on that one, but I still feel awful for how I treated her and regret it to be honest.

"Hey Barrett, ummm yeah I did thanks!" I said as cheery as I could. To be honest I missed her but was still pissed she had moved on so fast and here I was almost a year later and mostly over it, I had my moments. I snapped myself back to reality realizing what I was doing, and that was being a cop and also watched by Regan. I cleared my throat and stood up straight, "So you were speeding, I'll need your license and registration please." She chuckled and handed it over, knowing full well that I was anything but serious. People always seemed surprised when I told them I wanted to be a police officer, because I was naturally carefree and a joker.

I turned and walked back to Regan and handed her the information, she looked at it then at me. "Well Wheeler, what do we think...warning, ticket?" she asked looking between me and Barrett's info.

I quickly answered, "Warning! Ummm verbal warning that is." I tried to calm myself by talking even and softer, Regan looked at me confused as to why I was suddenly a jumpy mess. She sighed nodded and handed back the stuff muttering okay. I turned quick returning to Barrett's car and gave her back the license and registration. "It's all set, just slow down okay?" I said in a serious and firm tone.

This made Barrett chuckle "Ma'am yes ma'am!" she said in a joking way throwing me a mock salute. I shook my head and smiled then turned to walk away, and just like that Barrett was gone from my life yet again. Regan and I got back into the cruiser, she shut the blue lights off and turned around to set up in the same parking lot to continue our radar