I start at one end of the pool and swim briskly to the other end and slap the edge and launch myself off the wall. I do this a total of twenty times. I stop to catch my breath. It’s been a while since the high school swim team, but that’s my work out for today. Now time to get out and have a smoke.
I spread the towel over the lawn chair and stretch out, firing up a cigarette, checking my text messages. There’s one from dad wishing me Happy Halloween with a pumpkin emoji. My father was the only one in the family proud I became a cop. My mom saw it as an inappropriate career for a lady, and she is still pissed I cheated on my husband, tells me I am a godless whore who is damned to hell, thanks mom, you’re all heart. However, she says that about my niece Isidora who is a Lesbian. She came out to us while she was in the 10th grade now she is in eleventh grade. The rest of the family thinks I just have a death wish for wanting to be a cop.
I get another message from my father that gives me a thumbs up and congratulations on taking down Moonlight. That’s another thing bothering me, what would my father think, if he knew the real truth about David Drake, but then again; he’s a retired homicide detective, so I’m sure he’d be no stranger to political bullshit.
My cell rings, well speak of the devil. It’s my niece. “Hey, Dora the Explorer, what’s cracking?”
“The skin around your eyes, you old bitch.”
“Well, there’s no need for that.” My voice low.
“No need to call me, Dora.” She chuckles.
“Anyway, what’s up with you, little bitch?”
“Not much. I was wondering, did you want to come over. We’re having a cookout and handing out candy.”
“Depends. Are you gonna hurt my feeling again?”
She giggles. “I’m sorry, Tia. You know I gotta mess with you from time to time.”
“As do I. So what time should I show up?”
“6pm. We’re having pork loins on the grill and Yucca.”
“Geez make me hungry, why don’t ya?”
“That’s so you don’t leave any food behind.”
“Your daddy bought too much food again, didn’t he?”
She giggles. “You know him like a book, don’t you?”
“Yes. Your dad has a penchant for being over-prepared when it comes to grilling out.”
“So true. Anyway, I have to go, Devi. I gotta go with him to the meat market to get the meat. Oh, I almost forgot congrats on smoking that Psycho.”
Now I do feel sick.
“I’ll see you later, Izzy.” I’m surprised I didn’t get a lecture for missing my brother’s concert.
My neighbor Christa steps out into the pool wearing a solid red two-piece bikini. She beams a smile at me and sits down in the reclining chair next to me.
Oh shit, why does she always want to bug me?
“Hey, Devi! Nice to see you out here relaxing for a change.”
“Hi, Christa.”
“Oh, I saw you on the news, and I want to say it’s a real honor to be neighbors with a local hero.”
That’s all I need is to be a damn celebrity in these apartments. I’m bothered enough by this bullshit as it is.
“Oh, and Congratulations again.”
I look at her, puzzled. “For what?”
“Well, the girl who left your house earlier, it’s nice to see you found someone.”
“Yes we’ve been dating for a week now, I met her at the Dark Desires bar over in Ybor.”
I’ll say anything to get her to stop trying to play matchmaker.
“Well, that’s strange. I never figured the gothic scene was your cup of tea.”
“My friend Ingrid at work dragged my ass to it. I really hit the jackpot with her, she owns the club.”
“Oh well, that means girls gotta solid revenue stream flowing in. You hold on to her.”
I smile at her. “I get discounted drinks at her club, so I will don’t worry.”
“So, are you doing anything for Halloween, Devi?”
“Probably heading over to my sister’s for a cookout, you?”
Not that I give a damn what she has for plans. I’m just making an effort to be a decent neighbor.
“Oh, some friends of mine are going to Ybor and do some club hopping you wanna come? Maybe we can meet the lucky lady?”
“Nah, she’s working, and I got a report to write.”
“Well, you know my number if you change your mind.” A strong gust of wind rustles the leaves on the palm trees and nearly takes my cigarettes for a ride, but I grab them before they slide off the table. “It’s supposed to get cold again, Devi.”
“Yeah, that’s why I came down to the pool to swim while I can.” Florida gets random gusts of wind out of nowhere like this, but in this case, I think Crista’s right. I feel the mild nip in the air, putting goosebumps on my legs.
“What’s it like to be a Homicide detective, Devi?
“Why do you wanna know?”
“Just curious.”
I put out my cigarette in the ashtray. “Imagine going to work every day and seeing the worst side of humanity, and just when you think humans can’t be any crueler to each other, something comes along to prove you wrong. I would call humans animals, but most animals kill out of necessity.”
“I don’t think I could handle seeing the dark side of humanity every day.”
“Being a cop makes you laugh at that quote ‘Humans are awesome’ you see circulating on social media. Anyone with a goddamn brain would know that line is bullshit.”
“Humans are awesome,” she says with a wide smile.
“It’s so stupid you can’t even say it with a straight face.”
