Page 75 of Rookie Days

“That’s great. Until I joined the police force, I never felt like I belonged with anyone. But you…” Ellie paused, feeling unsure, prompting Janet to reach for her hand across the table.

“Tell me,” she encouraged.

This was, for sure, more of the same crazy kind of stuff that kept popping in her head whenever Janet was around. Ellie went for it anyway.

“I feel relaxed with you, Jan,” she reflected. “It’s easy. Like I’m in the right place and I belong, absolutely. I’m struggling to find the right word, but it’s like—”

Love.The right word made her go still as it flashed across her mind without warning, like a huge flaming arrow. It was a little strange to realize that she recognized it so perfectly when she’d never reflected on this stuff before. But Ellie did know it now, exactly for what it was. She stared at her lover, who stared right back. Both remained silent, anchored with a knowing smile that spoke volumes.

“Eccovi, miei cari!”

The arrival of two steaming plates of spaghetti interrupted, and though Ellie did not get to finish her sentence, the earnest look on Janet’s face told her there was no need. The moment was pretty perfect as it was, and beyond words. As more Italian was exchanged, and their server sprinkled a generous amount of parmesan over their pasta, Ellie allowed herself the pleasure of soaking in the atmosphere.

“I feel like we are in a parallel reality,” she remarked.

“Do you really?”

“Yeah. I’ve spent the day thinking about murder, and now it’s like I’ve crossed the street and ended up in Napoli. For real, I’m getting all the vibes.”

Janet’s eyes flashed in pure pleasure.

“You know… A trip could be arranged.”

“Like you told me before? Cruising through Italy?”

“With a special partner. One-hundred percent, yes.”

The thought of taking any time off would have scared Ellie to death in the not-so-recent past, let alone the notion of flying to the other side of the world where she really wouldn’t have any other choice. But now, she found her mind jumping straight to practicalities.

“I’ll have to dig out my passport. I think it’s still in date.”

“Yep.”

Janet’s answer was that simple and unequivocal. It sounded truly like a case of‘Will’,not‘Would’.Ellie noted her own heart perform a happy flip inside her chest, and she raised her glass in a toast.

“Cheers to that, Doc.”

“Saluti!” Janet answered with a brilliant smile.

The food was delicious and the overall ambience, intimate and cozy. Ellie allowed herself to forget about rape and murder for a full hour. It was her first break of the day, well-deserved and incredibly needed. Even so, sixty minutes was all that she was comfortable taking, and something which Janet clearly understood as well.

“Ready to go back to reality?” she suggested.

“Yes, I think we should... Hey, thanks for dinner.”

“Thanks for taking the time, babe. I enjoyed every second of feeding you.”

“That’s a strange way to put it, but okay.”

“It’s an Italian thing,” Janet laughed. “The wonderful urge to take care of your girlfriend by feeding her pasta.”

Ellie’s thighs trembled at this even as her heart rejoiced. She offered no resistance when Janet cornered her for another stolen embrace. In a pool of darker shadows, just off the main hospital entrance, she locked both arms around her neck and treated her to a deep, soulful kiss.

“One for the road,” she murmured.

“So. Girlfriend, uh?” Ellie repeated softly.

Janet got the sort of look on her face that she suspected not many people ever got to see... If any. A mix of sheepish and shy, vulnerable. But her smile was warm and her eyes sparkled full of joy.

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