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The cicadas announced the arrival of a blazing summer, their cries filling the humid air.
I sat outside the police station, watching officers come and go.
Eventually, I spotted him–the man with streaks of gray in his hair. Officer Walker.
Despite his age, he still carried himself with energy, stretching lazily as he tucked a wallet into his pocket.
When his eyes landed on me, he grinned.
“Well, if it isn’t Lila,” he said. “You’ve been coming to see this old man quite a bit lately.”
1 handed him the cup of bubble tea I’d brought.
He took it, muttering something about how he couldn’t get used to “young people’s
drinks,” but still took a big sip.
“So, what’s up? I heard you’re about to graduate. Where’s your brother?”
Ignoring his question, I said, “The house we grew up in is being demolished.”
His eyebrows rose slightly.
“Oh? The old place?”
“That’s good news. That area’s being redeveloped. You should get a decent payout for the
land.”
11
I stayed silent for a moment, then quietly looked up at him.
“When I was a kid, my parents used to hit me a lot.”
The evening sunlight reflected in my eyes, glowing faintly as I spoke.
I watched as the playful expression on Officer Walker’s face faded into something more
serious.
“I was young and didn’t understand much back then. But it hurt. And when you’re hurting…” I trailed off.
“Maybe it’s possible to do something unforgivable.”
The smile vanished from his face completely
Cops were always sharp. I could practically see the gears turning in his head, thousands
of possibilities flashing through his mind.
Without another word, I turned and walked away.
