Page 35 of Never Give Up

I walk into the office and am buzzed into the back. When I get there, I almost burst out crying again. All the dispatchers are there, waiting for me with a banner behind them that says Welcome Home.

Since we spend more time at work than anywhere else, it’s a running joke that the office is our second home.

“Oh,” I say, choking out the word as I stumble forward.

There are seven other dispatchers who work with me, each of us on our own shift. But we are all a family.

Daniel is the first to pull me into a hug, the older man squeezing a little too tight.

I squeeze him back as hard as I can and whisper, “Thank you,” against his chest.

“It’s good to have you back, sweetie. We need some cheer around here.”

I’m just so floored by the kindness and thought in all of them being here for me that I burst into tears.

Finally, Poppy pulls me into a hug and doesn’t let go for a long time.

The other dispatchers leave after everyone signs my cast.

Poppy maneuvers me into our room and once we are inside, I dry my eyes and sit at my console.

It is a busy night, and I fall right back into my routine. By the time four o’clock rolls around, I’m more exhausted than I think I’ve ever been after a shift.

Jake walks in and sits at the spare console, smiling at something on his phone. I sign off as our relief signs in. After saying goodbye to Poppy, Daniel, and the others, I clock out and make my way outside with Jake.

“It wasn’t that bad, was it?” he questions, a smile in his voice.

“No, no, it wasn’t. I’m sorry you had to deal with that call when you picked me up.” I saw the call comments from the domestic.

The man went after his wife with a ball-peen hammer, and she barely got away. It broke my heart, but I was able to shake it off. Work is work, and we see horrible things.

“It’s okay. I’m just glad she survived.” The relief in his voice is palpable, and I realize Jake has been relating it to my attack.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m not going to break. I can do this.” And I walk ahead of him slightly. Taking every step cautiously, I hold on to the side rail. It doesn’t take me as long as I think to make it to the bottom.

As he drives, I sigh and count myself lucky that I made it through the shift. Neither of us talk. When we get to my house, he asks me to stay in the car.

I’m not happy about it, but I understand. “Okay, but hurry. I’m tired.”

“Shut up, short stuff.” He turns away, and I hold my breath while he walks to the door.

As he steps inside, uncontrollable fear grips me at the thought that I’m alone for the first time in hours, and I hit the lock button on the already locked car doors. Just to be safe. I wait, clutching the door handle while Jake searches the house. When he comes back out the front door, relief floods me and I click the unlock button. He helps me out of the car and walks me to the door.

“Don’t think we’re done talking, little girl.” He shakes his head. “You’ve just earned a reprieve because I know you’re tired. But there’s still some stuff you need to know.”

“Later, Jake. I’m tired.”

He looks at me with a soft smile on his face, and I squeeze his arm.

“Okay, Maya. Get up there.”

It isn’t until I’m inside with the door completely locked that the engine of Jake’s car revs, and he pulls away.

12

BRIAN

“You’re not supposedto be working, Brian, let alone helping me with Maya’s case.” Jake sounds pissed as he glares at me standing on his doorstep.

---