Page 26 of Pete and His Precious

He laughed, and I smile, wondering if perhaps I would be able to laugh about it soon. After all, it is kind of funny, now that I think about it.

“Maybe in another ten years I’ll be able to laugh about it,” I finally say.

“I’ll laugh with you then,” he agrees.

“Anyway. That’s not the kind of person I usually am. I’m not even that big on animal rights. I just got... Sucked into the crowd.”

“Yeah, I’ve never arrested anyone for indecent exposure, but you were right in front of me, and I didn’t know what else to do. Things were getting a little out of hand.”

“It was my fault. I lost control. I guess it really is true about that crowd mentality. I definitely did something that I normally wouldn’t do. In fact, I would like to say I’ve never done anything like that before, and don’t plan to ever do anything like that again.”

“It’s good to know. I hope I never have to arrest anyone like that again.”

“Well, now you know to be careful where you put your hands on them.”

“I sure do. I carry a turban in my pocket for that precise scenario, although nothing of the sort has ever happened again.”

“Really? I added to your official dress? So it’s phone, keys, cuffs, turban?” I tease. Maybe I shouldn’t. After all, just a few minutes ago I was thinking that it was going to take me years to be able to laugh about it. And here I am, gently teasing him.

His chuckle comes through the door wall, and did that curling thing around my stomach again. Only this time it squeezes my heart too, and I want to take the sound and hold it close.

“Yeah. You changed me. Permanently.”

“You mean I affected you?”

“Maybe that too a little bit.”

“What made you become a cop?” I ask, not knowing what to say to make him laugh again. Because that is what I really want, to hear that chuckle, feel that good feeling, to share a little bit of laughter together. We might never be good friends. Probably won’t. But, I like the idea that the thing that had bothered me for literally an entire year, seems to be getting put to rest.

“I guess I just always liked following the rules. Which is funny, because I was one of those kids that could never sit still. School felt like a jail cell to me. And I wanted out, every day I walked out of that building it felt like being released. I guess maybe that made me feel like I wanted to work on the other side.I like the idea of protecting people. I like the idea of being in my hometown, where I grew up, where I know everyone, and they know me, and we like each other, most of the time.”

I laugh. I know exactly what he means by most of the time.

“Like Mrs. Higginbotham. Sometimes I don’t like her very much, but I appreciate her position in the town.”

“Yeah. That was why I was taking the drawing lessons. Mrs. Higginbotham asked me to do face painting, and I can’t draw worth anything.”

“If you still want lessons, we could schedule them again.” I take a breath. “I promise I won’t run away, if you don’t.”

“I promise,” he says, and I get the feeling he means it. Some people make promises and they are just based on a bunch of air, but when Pete makes a promise, it sounds like he keeps it.

“What about you? I assume you’re some kind of narrator?”

“Voice actor. Although, I do narrate books. That’s what I’m doing today.” I pause. “I guess people just always told me I had a nice voice.”

“You do. It’s soothing after a day of work. I sit here in my chair and just listen to you. It doesn’t matter what you’re saying, I just like the sound of it.”

“I wish that sold audios better, but thank you.” His words make me feel warm. I didn’t know that he sat there a lot, listening. But, it makes me feel good.

“So you do it just because people told you you have a good voice?”

“I’m good at keeping people interested in the story. Especially kids. I’ve always been good at making each character have their own voice, and kids seem to appreciate that. It just seemed to be something that I did growing up. I could imitate people, make my voice sound pretty convincing.”

“That might be a good talent to have. Especially if you wanted to pretend to be your parent, and get out of school.”

“And have the local police officer arrest me? No thank you,” I say with a little laugh.

“I guess I am the truant officer, as well as the meter maid, and whatever else the town needs.”

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