Grant pulled back from me. He looked me right in the eye.
“No more disappearing,” he said. “Not me. Not ever again. No more secrets. No more ‘working nights at a warehouse.'”
I studied his face. Same kid. Same freckle under his left eye. But there was a different weight behind his eyes now.
“Good,” I said. “Because I can’t take another night like this one.”
He nodded. “You won’t have to.”
Behind me, near the doors, somebody cleared his throat.
Officer Nate Alvarez was still standing there with his hat in his hands. He looked like he’d rather be anywhere else on earth.
“Ma’am,” he said. “I’m Nate. I’m really sorry for the scare. This was all Grant’s idea. I just want that on the record.”
“Thanks, buddy,” Grant muttered.
Sarah pointed at Nate without even turning around to look at him.
“Go. Now. Before I start yelling again.”
Nate gave a quick little nod, put his hat back on, and vanished out the doors.
And the whole gym let out its breath.
Jason clapped his big hands together once, loud, like he was trying to reset the whole night.
“Okay. Food. Right now. Everybody. Before I pass out.”
And just like that, they all started moving. The way they used to on Thanksgiving mornings at our house on Wells Street, when everybody had a job.
Mark grabbed paper plates. Caleb pulled the lids off the warming trays. Eliza ran and brought me a cup of water like I’d just finished a marathon.
Sarah hovered next to me for a second. Then she pulled out a folding chair at the head of the first table.
“Sit,” she said. “You sit. Don’t you dare get up. We’re serving you tonight.”
So I sat.
And Grant sat down in the chair right next to me. Still in his uniform. Looking like he wasn’t entirely sure he deserved to have a chair.
I nudged him with my elbow.
“Eat, Officer Trouble.”
He laughed. A shaky, wet little laugh.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Lila Hart is a dedicated Digital Archivist and Research Specialist with a keen eye for preserving and curating meaningful content. At TheArchivists, she specializes in organizing and managing digital archives, ensuring that valuable stories and historical moments are accessible for generations to come.
Lila earned her degree in History and Archival Studies from the University of Edinburgh, where she cultivated her passion for documenting the past and preserving cultural heritage. Her expertise lies in combining traditional archival techniques with modern digital tools, allowing her to create comprehensive and engaging collections that resonate with audiences worldwide.
At TheArchivists, Lila is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to uncover hidden gems within extensive archives. Her work is praised for its depth, authenticity, and contribution to the preservation of knowledge in the digital age.
Driven by a commitment to preserving stories that matter, Lila is passionate about exploring the intersection of history and technology. Her goal is to ensure that every piece of content she handles reflects the richness of human experiences and remains a source of inspiration for years to come.