My Man Series #1- My Policeman

Chapter 6

“I'm sorry.” He winced but continued, “I was listening in on a call. I'm hoping to be an operator in the near future. I keep failing my evaluation because I become too hesitant and give the wrong answers. I had to beg the boss man to let me listen in on a few calls, so I could get more comfortable.”

“Ah okay. That's no problem. I was uneasy when I first took my test. It's a natural thing. We have to deal with many situations, and the people who are calling here are not always in the right frame of mind.” I mumbled.

I completely understand now.

I still think he should watch that door. You never know if a bad person will come in here intending to harm the operator that helped catch him, but I don't tell him that. I keep it to myself.

Making waves at my new job on the first day is most definitely not on my to-do list.

“So, you're here for an interview?” He asked while typing something into his computer, but kept his eyes on me.

That's a promising start. He can type without looking at the keyboard. Sometimes in high-pressure situations, we have to type fast. At least he got that going for him.

“Yes. I just moved into town. Yesterday. When I came to sign the papers, I had stopped by hoping they had a spot open. Lucky for me, they did.” I mumbled.

I don't know why I just gave all that information to a stranger but I guess I had been longing for company that i forgot my rule.

Never give too much information to someone you do not know. Over the years I have seen a lot of bad things, and I'd rather be safe than to be sorry.

“Yes, I see you are scheduled to meet the boss man in five minutes. Let me just buzz him to let him know that you're here.” He said while pressing and button on top of his desk.

“Yeah?” Came a rough sounding voice that flows through the little speaker.

“Avery Scallan is here to see you, sir. Says she got an interview.” The guy behind the counter states before sending me a supportive smile.

“She is on time. Good. Let her know I'll be with her shortly.” The man who, I take it to be, Mr. Whitlock, said before ending the connection.

“I know what you're thinking. He sounds harsh. Is he mean?” The guy behind the counter laughed.

I wasn't assuming anything.

I mean yeah, the man sounded a little rough, but that doesn't always mean someone is mean. I'm more of a don't judge a book by its cover kind of woman.

“Actually, I wasn't, but he sounds a bit rough” I giggled. I'm started to get nervous about this interview. I really hope I nail it. I should be able to.

“He is a really nice man to work for. He rotates us on holidays. The workers who have children get to be home for Christmas. He gives us bonuses. I don't have kids, so I'm always stuck working Christmas, but I don't mind. Crime never stops. Not even for Santa.” The man sighed.

Ain't that the truth?

No day is safe from the evil that walks this world.

“Yeah you're right” I whispered.

I didn't know what else to say to that because he was completely right. I can't even count on one hand how many times something evil had happened on Christmas.

Two years ago, on Christmas day, a man woke up and decided to kill his entire family and I mean entire family. He waited until his parents got there, his in laws and even his wife's siblings. He didn't shoot them, he didn't hurt them in any way. What he chose to do was something else.

He poisoned the food.

I didn't get that call, but I heard it happening. The next-door neighbor remembered seeing all those people arrive at the home. Later that night, when she went to put her dog out to use the bathroom, she had seen all the lights still on but no movement inside the home.

Good thing she was a nosy neighbor.

“Names Sean.” The man behind the desk said, but I didn't fully hear him. I was caught inside my head thinking about that poor family. Those kids didn't even get to open all their Christmas gifts.

“I'm sorry?” I asked.

“Name. It's Sean.”

“Oh. Nice to meet you, Sean. I was caught inside my head for a moment. Talking about Christmas and bad things had brought up a call from years ago.” I whispered, hoping he would understand.

“It must take a toll.” Sean said and looked at me with concern.

This type of concern I can deal with. Just not the one like I was steadily receiving back in my hometown.

“Occasionally. I try my best to leave those calls at work, but every so often those terrible calls keep me up at night. I'm sure it's the same way with others as well. We are not robots.” I hissed.

I didn't understand why I sounded annoyed. I didn't even mean to, but the look of concern on his face just got to me for a minute.

“Sometimes, I don't think I'll be tough enough to deal with that. My boyfriend says I'm too tender-hearted and those calls will keep me up at night.” Sean sighed softly. “I'm already scared of the dark” He mumbled.

So, Sean's into men.

“Maybe your boyfriend is right, but you never know until you try. My ex-boyfriend didn't like the long hours that I worked and fought with me all the time about it. But this job is important. We don't make a lot of bank, but we help people.”

“Avery Scallan?” That same rough voice I had heard moments again reaches my ears and I swing my gaze towards the back door and I see who I hope to be my new boss.

“Yes, sir.” I said softly and waved my hand like a student in a school that's answering attendance.

Don't be silly, Avery.

You're a grown woman.

Act like it, I scold myself.