“But I forgot to mention the other reason I went in to the precinct. I met with a counselor. His name’s Bob Spicer, and he’s really nice. He basically cleared me to return to work.”
Chris’s brows rose. “Wow… that was fast… but… I guess that’s good.” He couldn’t tell how I felt since I wasn’t smiling about it. “So what did he tell you?” He was hoping he’d given me something to help with my short temper, because being in the hot seat was not fun. I’d always been a little dramatic, but lately, it had gotten worse. Of course, after everything I’d been through—
He glanced my way, knowing I’d just heard that. Frustration mounted that he was never going to get this right. He should know better, but damn it… how was he supposed to function if he couldn’t think? And why did I have to pick up every little thing that went through his mind.
He remembered how hard it was when I’d first discovered my mind-reading ability, and how he’d asked me to put up my shields around him. He’d learned that wasn’t the answer, because it just made him look like a tyrant.
So what was he supposed to do about it? He hated hurting my feelings, but some of his thoughts were deeply personal. He’d never say any of those things out loud… but I knew it all, and it made life difficult for him… and for me.
“Chris… don’t get too upset. You’re right. It’s difficult, but not insurmountable. Most of the time, it doesn’t bother me, but I’m struggling a little. Just like you said… er… thought… I’ve been through a lot lately, and I’m a little uptight. But now that I’m seeing a counselor it’s bound to help. Maybe I can bring up how hard it is for you in one of my sessions, and see if he has some good suggestions?”
“He knows you can read minds?” Shock rippled through him. He didn’t think I’d ever tell anyone that.
“No… of course not,” I said, keeping my voice low. “He thinks I have premonitions… but it’s basically the same thing, and it would be nice to hear what he has to say about it, right?”
He didn’t think it was the same thing at all, but what did he know? “I guess it doesn’t hurt to talk about it.”
“I agree. I’m meeting with him again day after tomorrow, so I’ll ask him about it then.”
“Okay, sure.”
I glanced up, noticing that both Savannah and Josh were sitting with Coco on the grass, but they’d each picked up a few snippets of our conversation. Savannah wondered if something bad was going on between Uncle Joey and me. But Josh’s thoughts nearly gave me a heart attack. He wondered if he’d heard Chris correctly. Had he said something about reading minds? Was he talking about me?
As the blood drained from my brain, a voice called from the side of the house, and we all turned to find Angel Molina and his dog, Pepper, standing by the gate. Both Josh and Savannah hurried over to the pair, and I sighed, grateful for the reprieve.
I’d called Angel earlier about Coco, and he’d said he’d come by sometime tonight to meet him. Was I saved by the bell, or what? Of course that didn’t change the fact that Josh might ask me about it later.
Coco took to Angel and Pepper right away, and we spent the next hour admiring the dogs and catching up. After his brush with the law, Angel was thinking about becoming a cop, and then hopefully a detective, so he could help people the same way I’d helped him, especially the innocent ones.
I thought that was a noble thing to do, but it worried me, since he’d be on the front lines with all the risks it entailed. But, wasn’t that what I did, without going through the ranks? Maybe we could even work together sometime? I could definitely go for that.
We had a pleasant visit, and it was late when Angel left. Before we could discuss where Coco would sleep, Josh said goodnight and called Coco to follow him down the stairs. Savannah didn’t like that and told Josh she wanted Coco to sleep in her room.
It was like a dam breaking, and Josh let out all his pent-up frustration, arguing that he was sick and tired of Savannah always getting her way, and Coco was just as much his dog as hers. Savannah began to yell back, and both of them got louder and louder with each word.
Before Chris or I could intervene, Coco barked, his tone more menacing than anything we’d ever heard before. I heard stop, and it seemed as though the kids did too. In the sudden silence, we all glanced at the dog. His head was lowered, almost like he was ready to attack.
“You’re upsetting Coco,” I said, even though it was obvious to everyone. “Why don’t you take turns? He can sleep in Josh’s room tonight and Savannah’s tomorrow.”
“But mom…” Savannah moaned.
“No buts. This is the fair thing to do, and Coco doesn’t need more upheaval in his life.”
Savannah’s thoughts turned to Coco and everything he’d been through. With a pout, she gave in. “Fine.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Coco moved to her side and snuffled his nose against her hand. She petted him and knelt down to give him a hug. While petting and talking to him, she secretly hoped he’d choose to go with her if she kept it up.
Josh worried about the same thing, and he let out a pent-up breath of frustration. Coco tipped his head toward Josh and, after a quick lick at Savannah’s face, he followed Josh down the stairs. Savannah wiped the moisture off her face and hurried up the stairs
