Welcome Back

Detective Diane Russell was back on the job after a brief vacation with friends in California. Her auburn curls were highlighted with bright red where the sun had kissed them. Her skin was brown, and she had a healthy, relaxed glow. As she concentrated on her paperwork, she had an otherworldly smile, and she stopped from time to time to stare into space and sigh. Detective Danny Sorenson thought she looked more beautiful than ever before, more changed than one month of vacation would normally do for a person. He thought, sadly, that she looked as if she were deeply in love. And he knew it wasn’t with him.

“So, Diane,” Danny finally built up the courage to ask, “You want to grab a bite tonight?”

“Oh, Danny. I’m sorry,” Diane had a sympathetic look on her face, “I already have plans for tonight. Can we do it tomorrow?”

Unable to hide the disappointment in his voice, Danny answered, “Yeah, sure. No problem,” and put on a brave face as he returned to his work. He couldn’t contain himself very long, and he looked back up at Diane after just a couple of minutes. She caught him staring.

“Hey, look,” Diane said, discomfort causing her voice to come out haltingly. “Danny, I have something to tell you.”

“Diane, I’m not sure I want to hear it.”

“Well, you have to hear it. It’s going to affect your life every single day. So, we might as well face the facts.”

“You’re right. It’s better we face up to it right away, the facts.” Danny couldn’t meet her eyes.

“Right,” Diane said, giving Danny a concerned look, as if contemplating his sanity.

“Go ahead,” Danny said, popping a couple of paper clips into his pocket to steel himself.

Diane shook her head slowly. Danny could certainly use a vacation. He was wound up like a Slinky. She imagined him going off his nut, rolling down the stairs slowly, one step at a time, like the spring in those old commercials. She shook her head and closed her eyes for a second to free herself from that ridiculous image.