Loving Her: Loving Her, #2

Loving Her

the series, Volume 2

by Lauren Shiro

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Copyright 2014 Lauren Shiro

Published by: Vanilla Heart Publishing

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Ebook Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

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Series Dedication

I dedicate this entire group of stories to the loving memory of my grandfather. My hero, my rock, my greatest fan. He always encouraged and supported my writing. It is because of him that you are reading these and I wrote them. Thank you will never be enough. Rest in peace, RPK. You are greatly loved and missed.

Table of Contents

The Peace Officer

The Shelter Director

The Writer

The Vet Student

More Great Books

Author Info

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The Peace Officer

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Dedication

To my stepfather Richard, a.k.a. Farqy. Thank you for joining our family. You have been a wonderful blessing to us all. We all love you very much!

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The Peace Officer

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The early morning sky looked like a giant baby blanket. Perfect layers of pastel pink, yellow and blue colors; the fluffy clouds provided the quilting. Nothing, not even the chill in the early November air, could penetrate Brynn’s sense of freedom and satisfaction.

Her horse, Petunia, raced as hard as she could. The trees and landscape around them were nothing more than a blur of various colors. Petunia’s white and grey dappled neck and face were striking against the backdrop of this autumn morning. She snorted as she ran faster and faster. Brynn held the reins right against her neck, at the base of her mane. She was as close to her as possible. They inhaled the same sweet, brisk air; their hearts raced at the same pace.

Petunia’s exotic Arabian profile somehow made this moment more exciting, more perfect to Brynn. All she wanted to do was to run like this all day. To be in complete unity and solitude with Petunia; to just be free.

Davidson, the instructor, stood on the other side of the mat. Brynn stood in the middle, with Martin standing immediately behind her.

Okay. Davidson said. He then blew his whistle.

Really? James Martin asked. You expect this short girl to actually do anything? She can’t do this. She couldn’t possibly hurt or overtake me. The laws of physics say so!

Without missing a beat, Brynn elbowed James in the gut. As he crumpled over in pain, she grabbed him by the arm and flipped him over her head and onto the mat. He landed on his back with a loud thud.

Never underestimate the power of a short girl...especially one who’s a third generation cop! Brynn smirked with pride.

Next? Davidson asked.

I had the dream again last night, Brynn quickly looked at Willow before turning her attention back to the road.

Oh really? Sis, when are you going to get over that? It’s been two years.

I don’t think you ever really get over it. Besides, it’s not a bad dream. I just miss her.

I know, but still.

I like it! I like that she comes to me in my dreams and that I can ride her again. It’s like she never really died.

Willow shook her head. Only you, Bree.

After a few silent moments, Green Onions began to play on the radio.

The sisters looked at each other. That infamous base line. The perfect organ and guitar work. This song – their song – was iconic.

They had been listening to the song since early childhood. It was their father’s favorite, and subsequently, they loved it as well. As far back as they could remember, they would always bop and move around in their seats when the song would play. When they were teenagers, the sisters choreographed a little boogie.

With a wink and a smile, they started on their perfectly choreographed car dance. They bounced their torsos to the beat. They jutted their heads forward; they turned their heads to the right, to the left and then forward again. They moved their arms – sometimes fluidly, sometimes in short, jerky movements. They swayed, they gyrated. Their heads happily bopped along to the upbeat music. Their smiles were splendid as they moved while seated in the car.

In perfect timing, the music began to fade just as they pulled into a parking spot in front of the movie theatre.

Hi honey! Erika said as Brynn walked in.

Hey, Brynn wearily replied.

How was your day?

Brynn dropped her bag and coat on one of the kitchen chairs. Exhausting. Yours?

Good. Busy.

What were your calls?

Ummm...let’s see. Three car MVA. A five year old boy who fell down the stairs, and...oh, an octogenarian who asked us to help her lift up her couch so she could look for change.

How the hell do you do it? Brynn shook her head.

Is it really any different from what you deal with?

I don’t know. I mean, we do get the comical drunks on occasion. But the old lady asking you to help her look for change is all kinds of special.

Gotta love the job! Erika said as she went back towards the kitchen. Hey! Want some dinner?

Sure. Whaddya got?

Spaghetti and meatballs. Sound okay?

Absolutely!

Erika slept peacefully next to Brynn. She looked so happy and serene. It was a nice moment, but it was lacking. What, Brynn didn’t know. She loved Erika. Erika was great. She was her best friend besides Willow. She was great at her job and was even better as a partner. She always made sure the house was clean, there was food in the house...that Brynn was cared for. She had no anger, no resentments, no complaints. Their life was nearly ideal.

They hardly saw each other, though. Between Brynn’s hours as a police cadet and Erika’s hours as a paramedic, their time together was more than limited. First responders typically had difficulties in their relationships because of their jobs. Two first responders, though...

Ugh. She hated this. There was nothing wrong with Erika or their relationship. But it seemed stagnant. There was no passion, but there was comfort and familiarity. Could the passion be reignited? Did it even need to be? Was this how all relationships evolved? Is there a future for us? What could possibly be left for us? Three years is nothing to sneeze at, but it also seemed that there is a finish line right smack in front of us. Can I – can we – somehow continue forward and bypass that finish line?

Brynn looked at Erika again. She didn’t want to hurt her. She didn’t want to lose her. But she didn’t want to pretend, either. She sighed, closed her eyes and prayed for sleep to overtake her.

It was the perfect spring day. The sun was bright. The air was light and crisp, a cool breeze occasionally kicked up. Brynn could hear birds chirping; signs of life were all around her.

It was contradictory that she was on her way to a call for a domestic disturbance. Hopefully it was nothing.

Her patrol car pulled in, and another one pulled in quickly behind her. Brynn looked over to see Thompson getting out of the second car. She nodded to him.

You talk to her, I’ll get him.

Got it, she replied.

They walked up to the average looking house. It was a non-descript, unassuming, middle class house with white siding and some brick work. It had been kept up: the lawn was mowed; the house appeared to have been well-maintained. Nothing from the exterior appearance indicated an unhappy, unsafe family inside.

Thompson knocked on the door. A few moments later, a middle aged man opened the door. His brown hair hid streaks of grey on the side. His eyes were dark brown, so dark that they nearly appeared to be black. He was a tall man with broad shoulders; he was big, but not monstrous.

Can I help you? His voice was scratchy and gruff.

Doylestown P. D., Thompson said. We got a complaint about a domestic disturbance.

The man rolled his eyes. Yeah. Come on in.

Actually, let’s you and I talk out here and Officer Racanelli can talk to your wife inside.

The man obliged and came outside. He and Thompson walked to the side of the house and began to talk.

Hello? Brynn called softly as she entered the house. Doylestown P. D.! She took each step with great trepidation.

After a few silent moments, a small, meek woman peered around the corner. Hello? Her submissive voice hardly broke the silence. She was a mousy little woman. She was short and incredibly thin. She had flat brown hair and soft brown eyes. She exuded fear.

Hi. I’m Officer Racanelli with the Doylestown P.D. I came because we got a call for a domestic disturbance.

She weakly nodded her head.

Can we sit somewhere and talk?

She nodded again. She carefully stepped out into the room. Without uttering a word, she guided Brynn into the kitchen.

They sat opposite each other at the table.

So what’s going on? Can I have your name?

Helen, she peeped.

Hi, Helen. What’s going on? What happened?

Helen looked away, her eyes staring at the linoleum floor.

N... n... nothing. She mumbled.

Helen, I doubt it was nothing. You wouldn’t have called us here if it was nothing, right? You know that’s a criminal offense, don’t you? You can’t call 911 for no reason. And something tells me you had a very good reason. So, what was it? You’re safe. Your husband is outside speaking to a male officer. It’s just you and me. So it’s okay to tell me what happened.

I...uhhh...well, my husband...gets angry. He gets angry sometimes.

He gets angry sometimes? What does he get angry about? Was he angry today?

Y – yes.

Okay. What was he angry about?

I didn’t vacuum well enough.

Brynn strained to hear her. Excuse me?

I didn’t vacuum well enough. She said slightly louder.

Brynn paused. You didn’t vacuum well enough. Okay. So what happened? Did he ask you about it? Did he tell you to vacuum again? What exactly happened?

Helen took several deep, audible breaths. She still couldn’t bear to look Brynn in the eyes. I was vacuuming. She paused. I was vacuuming and he – Andrew - grabbed me by the arm. He told me I missed a spot.

You missed a spot?

Helen nodded as her eyes welled up with tears. He...he...

It’s okay, Helen. You’re safe.

He grabbed my arm and he threw me down. He told me to look and see how I had missed that spot.

Brynn quietly jotted down her notes. Okay. Then what happened?

Helen took another deep breath. He pulled me back up.

And?

And he backed me into the wall and told me I had better not do that again or next time I’d be really sorry.

Brynn reached out and began to stroke Helen’s arm.

How did you call us? It’s incredibly brave that you did. How were you able to call us and not get hurt?

He went to the refrigerator and saw he was out of beer.

Okay. And then what?

I offered to go get it for him, but he told me that I needed to keep cleaning and get it right this time. So, he went to the store. I called when he was gone. She said quietly.

Did you feel you were in immediate danger?

He always gets worse when he drinks. I had no idea what he would do once he got back.

Did he do anything when he got back? How much time had gone between when he came home and when we got here?

Not long at all. Helen replied. He had just put the beer in the fridge and was about to sit down, watch the game and have one when you pulled up.

Okay, good. Brynn said, sighing a sigh of relief. Can I see your arms?

Helen hesitated. Slowly, she rolled up her sleeve. Bruises dotted her hands, forearms and elbow. Then, on her bicep, Helen’s arm had a perfect red hand mark around it.

Do you mind if I take some pictures? Brynn gently asked.

Helen slowly shook her head.

Brynn picked up the camera, walked over to Helen and got close to her arm. Helen whipped her head around in shame, making sure her face was not going to be seen in the pictures. Brynn snapped a couple of shots and then sat back down.

So where do we go from here, Helen? What are you thinking? Do you want to press charges? Based on what I see here, we have enough to arrest him right now.

Helen’s tears began flowing again. I don’t know, she whimpered. I don’t know what to do or where to go from here. I’m scared of him, but if he goes to jail, what am I supposed to do? I don’t have a job or another home to go to. I can’t really go anywhere and I can’t afford for him to go anywhere.

Helen, Brynn reached across the table again and tried to soothe her. It’s okay. We can help you find a place to live. We can get you into a shelter for the time being until we can find you your own place. We can help you to find a job, too. It may not be a glamorous job, but we can get you a job. You don’t have to stay here. You can have your life back and be safe. Let us help you.

Helen cried even harder. I just don’t know. I’m so scared.

I know it’s scary, Brynn softly whispered. Change can be very scary. But it is far less scary that living with someone who could potentially seriously harm – or even kill you.

Slowly, Helen’s tearful brown eyes rose up and met Brynn’s.

You’ll be okay. I promise.

Reluctantly, Helen nodded her head.

Brynn stood up and wrapped her arm around Helen. Slowly, they made their way through the house and outside into the beautiful spring weather. See? Look how beautiful it is out here. This is all for you, Helen. This is your new life. Brynn said softly in her ear. She guided her to her patrol car and let her sit in the passenger seat. Brynn shut the car door and she turned back to look at Thompson. She nodded her head.

Thompson turned to Andrew and began reading his rights to him. She watched as he placed the handcuffs on him.

Brynn took Helen back inside the house to gather up Helen’s needed possessions. Few precious possessions and Helen’s purse, I.D., and documents fit into one battered suitcase, with Helen’s clothing and personal effects packed into another. Brynn then proceeded to get into her car and drive Helen to safety.

Brynn was drying up her tears as Erika came down from her shower.

What’s wrong? She asked as she hurried over to sit next to her on the couch.

Erika, Brynn sniffled. Can we talk?

Of course! What’s going on?

The fear in Brynn’s stomach began to rise up, making her feel nauseas. It’s about us.

Oh?

Erika, I like what we have. I feel like we have a good life and a good relationship.

But?

But I’m worried we’ve come to a dead end. We hardly see each other anymore. There’s no passion here, it’s just comfortable. I mean... don’t get me wrong. I love you and I love having you in my life. It’s just...

You’re not in love with me.

Brynn fearfully and tearfully looked at her.

It’s okay, Brynn. It really is. Truth be told, I’ve been wondering the same thing myself. It’s like you said. I love you. You’re an awesome person. I love being with you, but I almost feel more like we’re roommates than we are partners. You’re right. We hardly see each other. Our relationship is... platonic at best. But it’s not anything against you...or me. We’re just...

But it’s not like we’re not compatible. Or that one of us is cheating or hurting the other. Brynn said.

No. Sometimes it’s not that people are bad. I think sometimes, relationships just don’t work out.

But, Brynn became teary eyed again. I don’t want to lose you. You’ve been so important to me. You were there when Dad died...

Erika put her arm around her. "You don’t have to lose me. Just because we’re not partners doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.

We’ve been a part of each other’s lives for three years. You can’t just act like those three years never happened. I was there, and I’ll still be there. I’ll just be there as your friend and not your girlfriend. Okay?

Brynn slowly turned her gaze to Erika. Really? Are you sure?

Brynn, I love you too. You’re a wonderful person and I would love to still have you as my friend.

If we could do that...

Of course we can. Why couldn’t we?

Brynn paused. Well, I don’t know. A small smile began to show.

Because there’s no reason why we couldn’t. There are no laws telling us we must never speak to each other again.

Brynn giggled.

It’s all going to be just fine, Brynn. No worries. Okay?

Okay.

They stood up and embraced each other. It was more than a hug. It was comfort, familiarity, love, and hope all encompassed into one special moment. Brynn knew that she and Erika would always share a special bond, and that gave her the greatest sense of relief and happiness.

A crowd of crows cackled and cawed as Brynn drove Willow down 202, taking her sister to yet another doctor’s office.

Willow stared out the window. I hope this one can help me.

Me too, Sis. You just...you need an answer. You need to find and treat the underlying cause to all these weird symptoms. Not just mask them, you know?

Oh, I know. I just want to get better and get back to living my life. Do you have any idea how discouraging it is that your little sister graduated from the academy before you?

Oh stop, Will! There’s no reason you can’t finish up and graduate too once this is all taken care of.

Bree, it’s not that simple.

It is! Just because you don’t want it to be doesn’t mean it is or isn’t. You’re making it more complicated by adding the age thing. Shouldn’t it just matter that you actually graduate?

Willow turned her head to look out the window once again. She said nothing.

You know I’m right. It doesn’t matter. Right now, you need to focus on getting better anyway.

Yeah, Willow mumbled.

Well, the doctor started.

Just another guy in a lab coat. Could he really be any different – any better than all the others? Brynn could only hope.

He turned and looked at the two sisters. I have to admit, I’m a bit baffled.

Not the first time. Willow said, sounding disheartened.

No, not by you. By your other doctors. It seems pretty obvious to me what’s going on, and I’m amazed no one has tested you for any tick-borne diseases.

I don’t understand.

All of your symptoms indicate tick-borne diseases. Even your blood values and other lab results are typical for things like Lyme disease.

Lyme disease? But she hasn’t been out in the woods or anything. Brynn protested.

You don’t have to be. I have a patient who lives on Long Island, New York. She got a tick working on her car in a parking lot. You don’t have to hike through the woods to pick up ticks.

Wow! Willow said.

I know you probably feel like a pin cushion at this point, but I would like to draw some more blood to test you for various tick-borne illnesses. I’m also going to give you a referral to a wonderful infectious disease doctor, Dr. Jackson. I have absolute faith in him. If anyone can help you, it’s him. What I’d like to do is have you see him for this and get treated. He will be your primary doctor for your treatments. I will be your general practitioner. I want to see you at least twice a year. We’ll run regular blood work to monitor your major organ function and so on. Dr. Jackson and I will work in conjunction in order to give you the best care possible. Okay?

Brynn and Willow looked at each other. Okay. They said in unison.

I’m going to be honest with you. Based on your medical records, I can see this has been going on for a long time. Your Lyme is probably chronic at this point. It’s not going to be easy. We may not be able to rid you of all of symptoms, but we are going to do our best. We will do whatever it takes as long as you are willing to do whatever it takes.

I am, Willow said as strongly as she could.

Okay. I’ll go get the nurse and have her come in to draw your blood and we’ll get that referral all set. The doctor walked out of the room.

Whoa! Brynn said quietly. I’m in shock. This guy isn’t like any other doctor you’ve ever had.

I know it! Willow replied. I hope he knows what he’s talking about.

I think he does. He had more answers in five minutes than any of those other doctors had in five months. He even has a plan. No one has had any kind of plan for you. I like this guy. I think this is going to be good for you.

I hope so. I just want to get better.

Me too, sis.

The trees outside looked like petrified corpses reaching up to the sky, as if looking for salvation. The fresh snow, in drastic contrast, looked like long, beautiful, elegant white gloves on their branching arms.

Brynn looked down at the thermometer in the car. Twenty-two degrees. The snow on the ground was a beautiful cover up for the sheet of ice that lay over the road. It was dark, it was cold, it was miserable. God, I hate winter. Brynn mumbled to herself.

As she looked around, a few yards up the road sat a car that had spun on some ice and landed in a ditch just off the shoulder. Just another reason to hate it. Spring will not come soon enough!

Brynn