Losing Game

Last Call

*Disclaimer: This book and chapter especially, was not written to glorify anything about the occupation of a law enforcement officer. It was simply written to drive my story forward.

A week of tears, anxiety, and broken hearts. People die every day, but no one really cares until it's someone they are close with. One thing was for sure, today would be harder than they wanted it to be. Goodbyes were never meant to be easy though, no matter how well they did or didn't know the person. Today they would bury a friend, and no amount of prayers or 'I'm sorrys' would help take that pain away.

Kelsey crept into the hallway peeking into the bedroom where Flip stood in front of their full-length mirror. His class A uniform was a sight to see, even with the dire circumstances. The long black sleeves of his button-down dress shirt and black pants had been neatly pressed in all the right places. It wasn't every day she got to see him dressed like this. He usually just wore his worn-in jeans, cowboy boots, and a flannel shirt. She watched as his fingers fumbled with the matching black uniform tie, his casted hand making it harder to accomplish the simple task.

"Here, let me help you." She said walking into the room and reaching for the garment of fabric. He dropped his hands to his sides allowing her to take over the task. She finished tying the tie and placed her hand comfortingly on his chest, looking up to him. His eyes still harbored dark circles under them from the recent nights of no sleep and endless tears, while the right side of his jaw adorned the now yellow and purple-tinted bruise and split lip.

"Could you...could you please put the band over my badge?" Flip's eyes were straining to hold back tears at the thought. "I don't think I can do it."

That single solid black piece of elastic held more emotion than he ever thought possible. The symbol of one of their own, now gone.

"Yeah, Babe. I got it." She said picking it up off the tabletop and turning back to face him. She carefully slid the band over the gold-plated badge and straightened it accordingly. It was hard to miss when looking at the uniform as a whole. The black stripe was striking against the gold coloring behind it. "You ok?"

He looked down, giving her a small half-smile. "I'm good. I promise."

"What if I'm not?" She asked shyly as the tears she has been holding back escaped.

He pulled her into him, the smell of whiskey and tobacco infiltrating her senses. "That's fine too. We are all going to miss him."

"It was almost you, Flip. I could be burying you today, instead of -"

"But you aren't and I'm right here." He muttered into her hair.

"I know."

"You look beautiful." He said trying to lighten the mood.

"Thank you." She replied slipping some fallen strands of hair behind her ear.

"Have you heard from Zoey today?"

"No. She's probably busy with everything that's going on like we are." Kelsey answered, "When I spoke to her yesterday I told her I would make sure to sit next to her though. Are you sure you are going to be able to carry out being a pallbearer?"

"There are six of us, and they are all aware of everyone's injuries. He was our brother, Kelsey. A broken hand, or ribs...it is not going to stop any of us from giving him the honors he deserves."

"You're right." She looked at her phone, noticing the time. "We should get going. Everyone is meeting at the funeral home before we start the procession and we still need to pick up the cruiser from the station."

"If you're ready, then let's go." He answered.

She turned towards the bed picking up the thrown piece of additional black fabric and handed it to Flip.