Page 45 of Keyoni & Sage
“I’m still thinking about it.”
“Keyoni—”
“I know.” I sighed loudly. “I know. You expected to have an answer by now, but…I’m still thinking about it. I got my daughter to consider.”
Twelve-hour shifts were fine for some, but for me, it took away from the time I spent with Keturah, even if it did come with a title and pay upgrade. In theory, I would have loved to move up the corporate police ladder to Sergeant, but for me, I didn’t know if it was feasible. I talked to Keturah about it. She told me to go for it, which I knew she would because at thirteen she felt she didn’t need me around as much. I begged to differ since once I blinked she would be grown and out of the house. I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could. The new position would allow me four days off per week, but as a realist, I knew the twelve-hour days would average much longer.
It was a lot to think about.
“I understand that…but don’t take too long deciding. The position won’t be open forever.”
“I know.” I started walking again, stopping in the doorframe. “You’ll have my answer soon.”
His phone rang, stealing his attention. I slipped out, down the hall, going by Kaiser’s kennel to check on him. I took him out when he started clawing at the glass door, checking my phone while walking him to the newly assigned space for him to relieve himself. When we got there, I read Sage’s response to my “wyd” text and started a response of my own.
She said she was thinking about me. I was doing the same about her.
Me:Ditch work & come see me.
Sage:I can’t. I have 2 surgeries.
Me:Lunch then?
Sage:When? Right now?
Me:You answered a question with a question.
Me:Yeah now.
Sage:Come get me.
Me:OMW.
I had lunch in the car when I picked her up. I drove us to the park and we sat in the car while enjoying burgers and fries. Sage complained because I didn’t choose a healthier option, but ate more than half before wrapping the rest up for later.
“Are you ready to go back already?”
I wanted to spend some time with her, but she kept looking at her phone.
“Not really…but I need to. I got a lot to do.”
“What about after work? What are you doing?”
“Looking at an apartment.”
“Oh yeah?” She’d never brought it up before. “You don’t like living with Lanique?”
“It’s not that.” She shifted in her seat. “The plan was always for me to get my own place. I was supposed to stay with my cousin for about six months, then by that time, I would know the area well enough to figure out where I want to live.”
“It hasn’t been six months though.”
It hadn’t even been one.
“I know, but…so much is happening in the building?—”
“Don’t let the shit I told you run you off. It’s not dangerous, Sage.”
“I’m not worried about DP. They don’t bother me and I don’t bother them.” She lifted her drink cup and took a sip. “But that damn property manager…she’s a different story. And I’m not trying to risk Lanique losing her place because of me.”
