Page 2 of Mommy

It looks adorable and I don’t even try to contain the smile that’s lifting one side of my mouth, curling the corner of my lips.

Shock is written across her wide eyed face. Of course it is.

It’s the uniform that makes them all stutter whenever the dirty mouth peaks through. No one ever expects to hear that on a random Monday, but the fact that they hear it from a male in a police uniform, wearing a gun visible on his holster makes them all the more flustered.

Alongside being able to do what I do with Ez this is the only good reason to put up with this stupid dress code.

As if working with the police actually does shit to make this world a safer place. If anything, my colleges are making it worse by covering those who shouldn’t be finding peace or safety anywhere.

The one reason I still work as a police officer is that from within I’m able to cover the one who does deserve cover for what he does. I cover Ez every time he’s out to destroy what should definitely not be allowed to breathe the air around us.

The blonde before me gathers herself with a shake of her head.

“Very funny,” she says sarcastically, narrowing pretty, pale blue eyes at me.

Wasn’t joking, but okay.

I grin anyway, and let her shoulder past me back towards the rest of the party.

Chapter two

Ivory

The open house event was a full success.

There were a lot more people showing up than we expected, we even ran out of drinks at one point. Liam had to get more from a gas station nearby, and I know that a few of the families and couples that stopped by, will be back at the shelter in a few days.

They all promised to be back and to recommend the shelter to their friends who are looking for a dog. But even if only a handful keep that promise we’ll take it as an accomplishment. Really any rehabbed dog is a success in our book.

Not that I think it’s my good work that had them all making promises.

I’m not exactly what you would call a social butterfly, even though most people get along with me well. It’s not the people that get stressed and exhausted around me, it’s me that feels like I need a nap after interacting with them.

It tires me to the point I feel like I can’t breathe properly anymore. That’s why I prefer to spend my time at the shelter with the dogs and let Liam and Shelly handle the people that come by.

Today was an exception and it shows. By the time the last people left and we started to clean up my eyelids felt heavy and I needed to take a deep breath to stifle my yawn.

“Go home, Ivy.” Liam says with a soft laugh.

I shake my head.

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’ll help with the cleanup.”

Shelly turns around from where she gathers plastic cups and throws a stern glare in my direction.

“You will do no such thing, young lady.” she says with a firm voice. “It’s already getting dark out, and I will not be responsible for you walking home alone any later than now.”

Rolling my eyes, I go to grab one of the table runners. Liam’s hand lands on mine, keeping me from dragging it down the table to fold it.

“She’s right. You’re tired and it’s late. Please head home.”

His voice is considerate and nice, of course it is. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without a perfect demeanor and a kind smile. It doesn’t help that I can still hear the faint Canadian accent in his words.

Sighing, I let him take the cloth from my hands.

It’s no use to try and talk them out of this.

I’m the youngest staff member at the shelter, having just turned 21 a few months ago. Everyone is treating me like a small girl. Not in a bad way, but still… Sometimes I wish I was just a few years older.