Senseless Acts

by: M-A

I see the way they treat him, and it makes me burn with fury. I wonder if anyone has ever done something kind for this man, just for the hell of it, just to make his day, just to bring a smile to those sad, serious eyes.

He probably doesn't even know I exist. I'm just another uniformed cop who passes him in the hall. I wish I could get to know him, but I don't want to be another one of those fawning females who throw themselves at him, another person who doesn't respect him. So, I watch him quietly, seeing people laugh at him and disrespect him and treat him shabbily. And I watch him return their actions with

kindness and goodness. He deserves so much better than what he has.

Last weekend, I made a discovery in a little used bookshop I like to frequent. It was a worn, faded, leather bound book, probably nothing special to the casual observer. But, somehow, it caught my eye, then it whispered his name to me. I didn't care about the price and I got it for him.

Today's the first time I've seen him this week. He looks tired and even sadder than he usually does. Loneliness will do that. It's been only a few weeks since Detective Vecchio left and the loss is still reflected in his eyes, no matter how often he smiles at something his new partner says.

I pass him in the hall and stop him. "Constable Fraser?"

He looks at me, seeing me for the first time. "Yes?"

"I'm officer Maroshaun," I say, thrusting out my hand. He takes it and shakes it firmly. I was right in suspecting that titles would go over better than first names. "Constable, I know I don't know you, but I found this the other day, and I thought you might like it." The book is a pictorial history of the Canadian north.

Surprised, he takes the book and cracks open the cover. He flips the pages slowly and I hear his breath catch. When he looks up at me, his eyes are surprisingly moist. "I don't know what to say," he says quietly. I shrug. "Hey, no big deal. Saw it, thought you'd like it."

He flashes me a smile then, and I feel my heart swell with joy. His smile is senselessly beautiful and radiant and shines right through his eyes.

I smile back, and leave it at that.

Fin