Choice

Chapter 4

I sip my coffee slowly eyeing the people around me. Some glance to me as if recognizing me and I shift uncomfortably trying to dodge familiar glances. I jump hearing the low voice “Mandy?” Looking up I eye the young rookie police officer slide down into his chair across from me and question him “what did you say?” He smiles “Amanda, that’s your name isn't it detective?”  I shake my head eyeing over his cocky grin as he knows what he really said “yea, I just thought you called me something else.” He laughs knowing what he really said “I did have a few choice words. I mean the first time I approached you I almost drew my gun at the crazy woman drenched, staring at a door.”  

He motions around laughing “I don’t think you’re crazy, that, that came out wrong.” I shake my head laughing “it’s fine, I was part of the 2010, so.” He leans back in his chair attempting to act surprised “oh, I’m, I’m sorry, I didn't know.” I shrug trying to change subjects pushing the conversation back to him “what about you, your not from around here, are you?” I watch him glance around attempting to continue his game as he leans forward in his chair “was, when I was young. Moved away in 10th was a city boy it made me miss quiet suburbia, then when I saw what happened it made me think. Right after graduation, I went to academy, did some college, but never was much of an academic achiever.” 

I watch him sip his coffee and glance around surveying his surroundings again “what about you Reynolds?” I run my fingers along the frail paper cup and laugh “what about me?” I watch him lean forward showing his interest “well, all I know is you grew up here, you were part of the 2010 and you’re now a cop, but why?” I laugh running my hand along the brim of the cup and question “why not?” He grins leaning back in his seat “I couldn’t have put it better myself Detective.” I smile taking a sip from my paper cup and remain quiet eyeing over the young officer in front of me. I stop about to finally ask for a confirmation of his identity when his radio goes off. “Officers be advised we got a 10-56A out in front of the old Marbourne HS, 12 please respond.”  I watch him press the small button on his radio and respond “12, 10-4.” I watch him get up and swig his coffee “I may need you on this one detective, if you can?” I nod eyeing my half-finished coffee and toss it into the small garbage bin as I exit.

He motions to his car, but instead I open my own car door motioning to him. “Go ahead, I will follow behind.” I watch him grin as he hops into his driver seat and takes off. I do the same following behind him. We into the large parking lot and I watch him get out of the car motioning to me “you take over if I screw this up, I don’t want a guy dead today, not here.” I nod griping my holstered gun motioning to him “you got this officer.” He shrugs “god help us if I don’t.” I watch him walk towards the man pacing in front of the doors to the old high school and listen to his rambling “2010, we were the class.” The man rubs his face with his visible gun and I grip my holstered gun as I whisper “don’t draw unless he poses a threat talk him down easy.”  

I watch him walk up to the man  “sir?” The man looks up, eyes me then the officer and points “you, your familiar, where do I know you?” I watch the officer nod “I grew up here, went to Marbourne, you?” I watch him step closer and the man nods “yep, went, graduated. I was the 2010, one of em.” I watch the officer nod “I’m sorry to hear that, it must have been hard seeing what you did.” The man nods “your face, her face, it’s the same, you have her face, her eyes, blue and her hair, that blonde hair, and she was beautiful.” I watch the officer step closer to the man and question “she was beautiful, wasn't she?” The man smiles “yes, she was smiling such a big smile, but your face is just like hers. I know your face, you have the same eyes, but your smile is all wrong, you’re him right? I asked for them to send you.” 

I interrupt knowing where this conversation is going “what are you talking about?” The man laughs motioning to the officer “Talmon, it’s him officer Talmon.” I let my hand drop from my gun and whisper the stale old name “Talmon?” I watch the officer turn back to me and speak firm “detective.” I glance to him and he smiles kindly at me as he whispers “later, for now concentrate.” The man laughs “you’re her brother. I wanted to see you to let you know what she did, what we all saw, it changed us. I can’t sleep without seeing her face, that smile and I knew once I saw yours, well I thought maybe it would be more peaceful, but, but I was wrong.” The man takes the gun and places it to his chin closing his eyes, but before he pulls the trigger officer Talmon begins to speak. “What she did wasn't your fault, it wasn't any of your faults. She was a coward and choose a cowards death, instead of facing what had happened she chose an easy way. None of you are to blame...” 

I watch him step forward getting closer to the man “what she did, it didn't solve anything, it was an escape, they won, everything won, all her bad moments in life had won. Is that what you want to just be a stain on a wall, a forgotten man because years down the line this school will open, students will come, 2010 will be forgotten by everyone and her, just like you will be nothing, but a cleaned up stain. Is that what you want?” The man eyes his gun and officer Talmon steps closer holding out his hand “I knew her best, she was my family, my only sibling. I knew just the fact you remember her is enough and I know if she was here she would tell you not to do this. So, tell me, is that what you want to just be another stain, another faded memory?” The man slowly lowers his gun and holds it out to the young officer. Officer Talmon takes the gun, eyes it then looks back up at the man helping him into the back of the police cruiser.

He shuts the door over eyeing the man through the window, but turns back hearing my voice “Talmon, Richie Talmon, you son of a bitch.” He turns back nodding “yea, it’s me.” I shake my head “All of that bullshit about leaving in 10th grade, you never left and judging by the fact you hid it, you never grew up either.” I watch him shake his head “the reason I never told you is because of this.” I turn towards my car and hear him “don’t you want to know, why I hid it?” I turn back eyeing him and he shakes his head “I think it’s you who hasn't grown Mandy still a prima donna huh?” I turn back “you know that’s not it, that’s not why I’m mad.” He smiles seeing my reaction “then why?” I shake my head playing with my door “because I know what you are, you can wear a nice uniform and a badge, but it doesn't change you. Talmon, you did something terrible no uniform can change that, not even a police one.” I get into my car, turn the keys in the ignition and drive off leaving him to think about what I said.