Moon Girl

Five - Officer Hardy

Morning came slowly for both parties. Krystal watched the sun rise from her bedroom window while Blake tried to shut it out.

Won't the sun go away? I am trying to sleep. I know I've been trying the whole night and had minor successes but I want to sleep!

Finally, the sun. Between thinking about Blake Hardy, Officer Hardy, Nancy and my mother, I was ready to get out of bed. So I will.

God, I hope Krystals okay. I feel bad for dropping that bomb on her yesterday. I don't know if I made it better or worse.

Krystal took a shower and blow dried her hair. As ready as she was to get out of bed for the day, everything else came at a slow pace. Her pace, for now.

Krystal traced the half moon scar that rimmed her left eye like she did every morning. She traced it out of memory and tried to hide it out of secret guilt. Grabbing her makeup bag, she started the camouflage process.

Krystal was a beautiful girl, she knew that. But that scar was a constant reminder of what happened. A dark cloud that always hung over her head, a guilt that continued to eat away at her long after it healed.

She did her makeup like she does everyday. Today she braided her back instead of worrying about it. Before she could stop herself, she grabbed her keys and left the house.

Never in a million years did I think I would find myself here. Why am I here? Oh yeah. Blake dropped a bomb on me and now I can't stop the explosion.

Krystal weaved in and out of people, trying not to look at anyone in particular. At the back was the door she was looking for. She stopped dead in her tracks.

I stared at the ominous door. There was a piece of my life suspended between me and the man inside that office.

Just as Krystal turned away to leave, the door flew open. They both jumped in shock.
"Oh my apologies, I didn't mean to scare you. How can I help you?" Krystal stared up at Officer Hardy with wide eyes. He studied her closer. "You can't possibly be, Krystal Kamowski, are you?" Slowly, she nodded. "My, my, look how you've grown."

Suddenly I feel like that helpless 12 year old he dragged from the car. The girl who couldn't save her own sister. He looked the same as he did all those years ago.

"What can I do for you?" He smiled softly down at her.
"I-I- your son said you were the first responder at the accident." His eyes grew hollow.
"I was, yes."
"I never thanked you for saving me. I know you couldn't save Nancy but you tried, and I wanted to thank you for that too."

The image of him doing CPR to my unresponsive sister was the only thing I remembered from the accident. I don't remember it happening, I don't remember getting pulled out. I just remember Officer Hardy doing CPR on Nancy as I screamed for my sister to wake up. By the time he got to Nancy, another officer had arrived as was holding me back.

"I'm real sorry about your sister." Krystal nodded her head with wet eyes.

I understood, everyone who knew, was sorry about Nancy; but of all the people who shouldn't be, Officer Hardy was the number one person. He tried to save her, he did everything he could. He saved me, there was nothing more I could be grateful for.

Krystal launched herself at Officer Hardy for a hug. At first he was stunned, but then wrapped his arms tightly around the girl. They stayed in their embrace for a few moments. Eventually she released him. They gave each other a nod and Krystal turned to leave. She locked eyes with Blake who was only a few feet away.

Something felt good about seeing Krystal hug my dad. I know my mom worries about him and his safety. Seeing my dad hug her, was a reminder why he did his job. Why he was on the force, to service and protect his hometown and all its citizens.