“Tell me your craziest estate or will you had to help write.”
“Why? People have all kinds of wishes.”
“I had a crazy day and I want to hear some funny stuff.”
“Okay…hmmm. Well, we had one when I first started who wanted all her money to go to her cats. She had nine cats and one daughter. The daughter had never really been there for her, and refused to spend time with her.”
“Wow, I bet the daughter was pissed.”
“Yeah, she wanted to debate about it but it was all stated. She had no loopholes. To think that cats gave you more attention than your daughter is the sad part. The more I work in this field, the more selfish I see people. So many who want nothing to do with their loved ones unless they need something, but then when they pass, they loved them so much and just can’t understand what happened.”
“You think you’ve seen selfish people? Ha! You have no clue how bad it gets. People will do anything to protect themselves…at all costs.”
“I can only imagine the bad you see. How do you get past it all?”
“I don’t have a choice. I chose this career when I was a kid. It was against my parents’ wishes, and I had to fight for it. I have to remember how much I love my job and how I had to fight to get here.”
“Your parents were that mad?”
“My dad was humiliated I would pick a career that got paid so little and not want to work for his company. It’s funny; he pretends like it is his, but my aunt let it slip one time that he wouldn't have it if it wasn't for my mom. My parents don't even know I know.”
“That’s crazy. But it sounds like you stuck by your guns…” I giggle. “And you are doing what you love, despite the bad you see. You are changing the world.”
“Trying anyway. You are changing the world too though.”
“Nah, I am just being there for the elderly or for people who have their final wishes planned out. It is the least I can do. I owe so much to my grammy that I feel, in a way, I am doing something she would love.”
“It sounds like you are being there for people in their time of need, you are being their strength.”
“I’m not going to lie though, Wyatt, do you ever feel like no matter what you do, it isn't making a difference? We want to change the world, but do you think that it is really possible? It seems to only be getting worse.”
“If we all gave up, then no good would ever happen, right?”
“Nicely put,” I commented. “Okay, so not so serious, what is a funny story from your work? Come on, Deputy Galloway, share.”
“Probably a man I was sent to go pick up for public intoxication. He had no clue who he was, where he was, and was wearing nothing but a hat. The bad part was; I had to chase him down the block and put him in my car. There are some things you do not want to see, and that was definitely one of them.”
I laughed. Yeah I’m glad I didn't have to deal with that one. I also didn't mention that I knew it was my father.
The Hilltop Sheriff’s Department knew my father well. It was so embarrassing, and my Grammy had put a stop to me knowing of all the transgressions after a while.
WYATT
My day went to hell in a hand basket within five minutes. It was that kind of day.
It was one in the afternoon, and I should have eaten over an hour ago. The office was shorthanded and cases were piling up. Cases that required attention and had to be done immediately.
It wouldn’t have mattered if I had eaten before I left this morning, but I wasn't able to. Aunt Rhonda hadn't answered my call when I phoned her this morning, which is unlike her, so I hightailed it over to check on her before work. She was fine, but scared me to death.
While sitting in my makeshift office, trying to begin to look through some of the folders, I suddenly hear Kevin laughing and carrying on. It was beginning to irritate me since I was so consumed with my work. On a positive note, I did catch the scum that had been robbing and beating on the elderly women. Chalk it up to one win for the day.
“Wyatt, get out here,” he said nicely. Normally Kevin was a pretty stern man.
He had his arm around Breigh and was in a conversation full of laughter. They were both smiling with laughter accompanying them. I had never seen a woman so beautiful when she was smiling.
I stood observing them with my hand on my hip.
“Oh, here he is. I’ll let y'all be. Enjoy your lunch.”
Breigh handed him a brown bag and then hugged him. She gave him a swift kiss on his cheek and thanked him.
“You’re welcome, I would do anything for you, Breigh girl.”
“I know you would, thank you,” she responded.
Kevin watched as she walked toward me and smiled. The happiness remained on his face.
“What are you doing here?” She hugged me immediately and I kept her close until she pulled away.
Her tight jeans and boots were accompanied by a flowy shirt that hung off one shoulder. The deep blue made her eyes darker. Her hair seemed lighter today too.
“I wanted to surprise you and bring you lunch, but from what Kevin said, I picked a bad day.”
“There is never a bad day for you to come to my work.” I placed a quick kiss on her lips. “ What did you bring me? I’m starved.”
My stomach spoke right through my mouth.
I took her hand and led her to the lunchroom. Anyone who normally ate in here was already done.
“You’ll see.”
She put
