Page 31 of Forgotten Deeds

“I’m not sure if he’ll be back in time for dinner,” I warn her.

“He said he would.”

He did. The asshole.

I get Iris set up with an educational game on her tablet while I begin outlining the new topic for my essay. The Goddess Persephone: Turning Helplessness into Hopefulness. Maybe this new theme will likewise be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The front doorbell rings, startling me. “Be right back,” I call to Iris, who’s still playing her game.

After checking the peephole, I step outside, closing the door behind me. “Hey, Ethan,” I greet Harrison’s patrol partner and best friend. A few years older than me and a few inches taller, he has fair skin dusted with freckles, with his copper-colored hair cut tight. He and Harrison could not be more different—Harrison with his outrageously good looks and swagger; Ethan, more gangly and reserved. “This is a surprise,” I tell him. Also a surprise is the new black SUV parked in my driveway. Trying to wipe the shocked expression from my face, I turn my attention back to him.

“You got a new ride?” Ethan asks, also noticing.

“Yes, it’s a lot safer for Iris,” I vaguely respond.

“It’s sharp. Must have set you back a pretty penny. How are you swinging it now that Joe’s shut down?” he presses, moving his aviators to the top of his head.

“I’m sorry, is there a reason you stopped by?” I deflect. “You on patrol?” He’s in uniform, with his cruiser parked across the street.

“Yeah. Sorry to just drop in on you, but I was wondering if you’ve spoken to Harrison lately?”

“Nope,” I answer, popping the “p.” “He was a no-show last weekend for his visitation with Iris. I texted him a couple times, but he never responded. Figured he got distracted by one of his badge bunnies, but eventually, he’ll put his dick back in his pants and remember he has a daughter.”

“Uh.” Ethan rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably.

“Sorry, that was more than you needed.” It’s not Ethan’s fault his buddy’s a manwhore.

“Yeah, well, he’s missing second watch with me right now. I’ve been blowing his phone up, but he’s ignoring me. Cruised by his house—his car’s there, but he’s not answering the door,” Ethan admits.

“He was probably out last night and went home with a woman, and she hasn’t brought him back to his place yet.” I take a wild guess. “That, or he’s home sleeping one off.”

“You’re probably right,” he says. “Look, don’t mention anything about this.”

I snort. “To who? Harrison? He’d actually have to respond to any of my messages for me to do that.”

“Lily, I’m really sorry about the way things went down with you two,” Ethan says with an apologetic look.

“Don’t be,” I assure him. “I got Iris out of the deal, so I can’t complain. Look, I need to get back inside.”

“Sure. I’ll see you around. Take care,” he tells me.

“Thanks, Ethan. You too.”

Same old Harrison. I shake my head, returning inside. “Screen time’s up,” I tell Iris, saving my work and closing my laptop.

“No,” she whines, but hands over the tablet.

“What kind of pizza do you want?” I ask.

“Cheese.”

“What if we do half cheese, half pineapple and ham?” I suggest.

She makes a face. “Yuck.”

“Agree with the rainbow goddess. Pineapple on a pizza is a crime,” Darius says, having appeared in the hallway.

“How did you do that?” Iris gasps. Clutching my hand over my heart, I’m wondering the same thing.

---