Liam imagined his father trying to pat his mother on the arm while assuring her everything was fine. His mom was in the mood to chat, and he was happy to let her do so, her voice filling the cab of his SUV as he drove.
“You need to call your sister sometime soon. Sue’s got a bee in her bonnet about Harold not coming to her baby shower. He says it’s for women, and your sister insists that baby showers are coeducational now, and it’s his husbandly duty to be there.”
Choking back a snort, Liam said, “Co-ed, Mom. It’s just co-ed. Men and women together.”
“That’s what I said. Co-educational!”
“Look, Harold’s a good husband and a good father. Maybe he just doesn’t want to sit around and play party games.”
“Sue’s got men coming. Your brothers-in-law are coming. Several of the women are bringing their husbands and both your brothers should be there. And don’t you even think about not coming, Liam Sullivan!”
He remembered opening the pink and blue envelope a few weeks ago but, like Harold, figured it was mostly for women, so he hadn’t even put the date on the calendar. He hoped he still had the invitation. “Sure, Mom. I’m pretty sure I got it on the calendar at home, but send me a text with the date and time again just so I’ll have it on my phone.”
“Uh-huh. I’ll do that.”
Her voice indicated that she didn’t believe for one moment that he’d put anything on his calendar. As always, she put aside any irritation she had toward her children and continued to tell him the latest exploits of his three sisters, two brothers, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. She was happy that her family had all settled nearby, their gatherings large, loud, and loving.
Turning into his driveway, he said, “Okay, Mom, I’m home. I know the storm is supposed to just be rain, but have you got everything you need?”
“Oh, yes. I’m taken care of and blessed. But I wish you weren’t alone, son.”
“I’ve got a whole county to take care of. Not many people would want to share me with that.”
“Humph,” she groused again. “Just because one didn’t work out doesn’t mean there isn’t someone special out there.”
“I hear you, Mom, but I’ve really got to go. Talk to you later.”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
Disconnecting, he continued down his drive, the sight of his house filling him with pride and peace. The two-story, custom-built house was new, and he’d bought it for a good price. It had been almost finished for a couple who suddenly had a change in plans and needed someone to buy it quickly. He was thrilled with the three-bedroom home with a large owner’s suite, an office downstairs, and open floor plan that allowed his living room to extend into the dining room and the large kitchen connected. He knew his family wondered why he bought the house if he didn’t have a spouse and children on the way, but for him, it represented a chance to relax at the end of the day in a space that was all his.
Pulling into his garage, he lowered the door behind him. Moving into his neat laundry room, he took off his uniform after securing his weapon and tossed the clothes into the hamper. He grabbed a pair of clean sweatpants and a T-shirt that he kept on a shelf and pulled them on. With socked feet, he padded into the pristine kitchen, throwing open the massive refrigerator door and seeing what he could have for dinner. He still had leftovers from his mom’s roast beef and veggies she’d sent to him earlier in the week. Heating them, he took his plate and beer out to the deck that overlooked the line of trees in his backyard, the sunset visible over the bay through their limbs.
After eating, he leaned back in his chair, watching as the sunset disappeared behind the dark clouds still forming. His mom’s mention of his dad brought back more memories. Liam was the oldest of six kids and his memories the sharpest. His dad worked at one of the farms in the area, starting as a field worker when he was a teenager, then moving into supervision, and finally into the produce factory by the time Liam was ten years old. His mom was a housewife but sold her canned fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s markets during the growing seasons.
As the oldest, Liam was used to herding his younger siblings around and helping with chores, but most of his memories were of having fun. He studied hard and played ball in middle school and ninth grade.
Until the fall day he and his siblings got off the school bus when he was thirteen years old.
Met at the door by their minister, he heard the sound of sobs coming from his mom. Leaving the younger ones on the front porch with a few of their neighbors, he went in alone to find out what was happening.
His mother wrapped him in her arms, managing to tell him through her broken sobs that their father had died of a heart attack. As he staggered up to his room, his heart ripped from his chest, he knew he was now the man of the house.
The vibration of his phone jolted him from the rabbit hole musings he had slipped down. Pulling it out of his pocket, he saw that it was Mitch. “Hey, man, what’s up?”
“Any chance you’d have a problem switching the LEL meeting tomorrow to Baytown instead of Seaside?”
The two sheriffs and the four police chiefs in the two Virginia counties got together monthly for a Law Enforcement Leaders’ meeting. With Mitch, Colt, Wyatt, and him being longtime friends and the other two having held their positions for several years, the six leaders were close, determined that by cooperation they stood a better chance of being effective in their duties to the citizens they protected.
“That’s fine with me.”
“Thanks. Dylan said that due to a past leak, the Seaside Police Station is having roofing work completed tomorrow. I volunteered the Baytown Station.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you there. Give Tori my best. I need to get a baby gift to you two.”
“Don’t worry about it, man. Between her family and mine, we’ve got enough diapers, blankets, and onesies to last.”
Disconnecting, Liam chuckled. He had no idea what a onesie was but hoped his sister had enough of them as well. He knew he would have to go to his sister’s baby shower and their chaotic household would be overwhelming, but he could stand it for a couple of hours.
Walking back into his house, the neatness filled him with a sense of calm. As he passed the extra bedrooms across from the master, he knew that one day he’d like to marry and have children, but so far, there had only been one woman who’d tempted him to take the plunge. His job had been the impediment she couldn’t get past. She wanted a different life for them, and he wasn’t about to give up his lifelong dream for someone who wanted more money and status. When I find someone who fits into my life, then I’ll be ready.
3
Parking in the small Baytown Police Station’s parking lot, Liam alighted from his vehicle, his eye toward the sky. The clouds were darker and beginning to roll. When he’d eaten breakfast, he’d listened to the weather station again, hearing divergent hurricane path predictions.
Once inside, he smiled at the receptionist, one who rivaled his Margaret in the length of service. She was on the phone or he had no doubt she would offer her opinion on where the hurricane would land.
Inside the station’s workroom, he greeted Mitch on his way to the coffee pot, glad to see it full and strong. “Good morning.”