“Ahhh! Will you listen to me? It has nothing to do with me or you even. I just don’t feel..” Stacy tried to explain, but she was cut off again by Randy.
“Actually, don’t bother. I don’t know why I wasted my time coming here. It doesn’t really matter what your reasoning is for not telling me. You don’t owe me anything; it’s not like you mean anything to me.” Randy lied. It’s best to just make a clean cut and get on with my life. I have to get away from her if I’m going to get her out of my mind.
Stacy’s face went pale and she felt sick to her stomach. Much to her annoyance, tears sprang in to her eyes as she quickly spun and walked out of the room. She rushed past Cindy sitting at the desk. Cindy looked up with confusion, wondering what had just happened.
Randy sighed. Why don’t I feel better? I feel worse. I feel like a fucking asshole. Well, it can only get better right? She squared her shoulders as she walked out of the break room and turned towards the elevator.
“Officer Cash!” Cindy called out to Randy. When Randy turned around, Cindy continued on. “I know everyone thinks I’m a bitch and it may not be any of my business, but whatever just happened in there she doesn’t deserve. Evans is about the sweetest person I’ve ever met. I’ll deny that I said that if you ever tell anyone. As far as you go, you might be nice eye candy but you certainly don’t know how to treat a lady.” Cindy got up and walked towards the back of the office, leaving Randy standing there, ashamed of her behavior.
Stacy leaned against the wall of the bathroom stall. There really wasn’t anywhere else that offered a little privacy. Tears spilled down her cheeks, making her even more annoyed with herself. Why do I care what she thinks? I was only trying to protect my sister’s privacy. She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the heavy feeling in her chest. She forced a smile on her face and headed back to her work station to finish her shift.
Randy hopped in the patrol car where her partner, Jeff, was waiting for her. Jeff knew her well enough to tell by the look on her face that there was no point in asking what was up. He’d give her some time and maybe she’d talk about it later. He put the car in drive and headed out into traffic.
Several hours later, Stacy packed up her things and clocked out for the day. She still felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. She took one last look around her work space, pulled her service weapon from the drawer of her desk and slid it into the holster on her hip. The weight felt odd still on her belt. She had passed her tests and been cleared to carry. I didn’t even get a chance to tell Randy I passed. I guess it’s a moot point now. She shook her head, trying to clear the negative thoughts from her head. I better get going; I want to stop at the market on the way home for some things.
Fifteen minutes later, she pulled into the parking lot at the market and headed in to pick up the things she needed. She was very conscious of the nods of exiting customers, wondering why they were all nodding at her. It dawned on her then that it was probably because they were being courteous, seeing her badge and gun clipped to her belt. It was something else she wasn’t used to yet. She wandered down a few aisles, still unfamiliar with where to find everything. As she rounded the corner into the canned goods aisle she noticed a scruffy man who seemed to be very nervous. She slowed down her pace, carefully watching his behavior. As she walked slowly down the aisle, pretending to look at a few things, she realized the object of his nervous glances was the small bank branch that was housed inside the store. Just as she was about to push aside her paranoia, she noticed the slight bulge of what appeared to be a handgun tucked in the waist of his jeans.
Stacy’s heart began to beat rapidly as the adrenaline kicked in. She motioned a young man stocking the shelves to her. “My name is Stacy Evans and I’m an investigator for the CMPD. I want you to pretend that I’m asking you for some help in reaching that box up there on the shelf ok? After you do, I want you to go to the closest phone and dial 911. Tell them that there is a suspicious white male who appears to be casing the bank and has a firearm tucked into his waistband. Please let them know there is an officer on scene. I’m going to keep an eye on him. Also, have your manager quietly get as many customers out of the building without making too much of a commotion ok?” The young man’s eyes were huge and he nodded his head quickly. He reached up, grabbed the box and handed it to her. “Okay good, now go on and make the call, but don’t run ok?” He nodded again, turning to walk away.
For the next five minutes, Stacy tried to keep a discreet distance from the man, picking up items she had no intention of purchasing just so that she would appear to be just shopping. Unfortunately, half way down the aisle two police officers appeared at the end of the aisle where he was headed. He promptly turned and Stacy saw him pull the weapon from his waistband, pointing it directly at her. She calmly raised her hands to show him she was not a threat.
“Back off!” He screamed at her. “Back the fuck off me. If you’re buddies get one step closer to me, I will blow
