Letters of Love (Green Division Series Book #3) (5 page)

*****

Ben kicked his legs up on the back deck.  The spring sunshine warmed his bare feet.  Finally, the time of year he loved so much was coming.  
“Yo, Ben, phone.  It’s your brother,” Kip yelled from inside.
“Bring it to me you lazy bum,” Ben called to him.  
Kip slowly came outside wearing only his boxers.  True bachelors.  

“Don’t be a douche.”  He passed him the phone.
“Hello.....hey Jack....Yeah, I’m home, I don’t have to work until this afternoon....You sound like something is wrong....What’s going on?”
Kip starred from the sliding glass door not giving Ben any privacy.
“Wait, what?  No, no, that’s not possible....I’m telling you it can’t be....No...”  Ben said in clear denial.  “Get a second opinion....Then get a third, they’re wrong...”  
Kip retreated inside knowing he shouldn’t be witness to the conversation.
“Ah...is it treatable?...How long did they say?...Jesus Jack...no, no, I’m sorry.  I’ll come over...No, I understand, you guys need time...I’m so sorry...I’ll check in with you guys later this evening...Tell Tiffy I love her...Bye.”  
Ben hit the end button and looked at his phone in denial.  That conversation didn't happen.  The news he’d been given was a dream.  A nightmare.  Because if it wasn’t...
Ben stood and tossed his phone onto the lawn in a fit of rage.
“This isn’t fucking happening,” he said aloud angry at the world.  “This can’t be happening.”

*****

The four day break from work and Maine had refreshed Aubrey.
 Her parents were brought to tears when the three of them arrived: Mack, Meg, and Aubrey.  And during the family dinner her first night there, Mack took a knee to propose to Meg.  It was a long time in the making.  Mack and Meg had been together for eight years, but Mack was gun shy after his first marriage.  And Meg was in the same shape.  The following three days the family spent lounging by her parents’ pool, barbecuing, and basically enjoying one another’s company.  Aubrey was sad to leave so soon, but one has to face reality sooner or later.
“Hey,” Jill yelled from the lobby of the airport.
“Hi Jill.”
“Ready to go home?”
“Ready to go back to Florida.”  Aubrey smiled.  “I miss them already.”
“We’re glad to have you back girl.”
“Let’s go home.”  
Jill put her arm around Aubrey’s shoulder and they walked out together.  
Though she’d rather be in the warmth of Florida, she was glad to see her two babies, Gunny and Trixie.  After visiting with her babies and unpacking, Aubrey had a busy afternoon planned.  Watch television and fall asleep.  Back to the grind the next day.

*****

“Uncle Ben!”  A little redhead flew toward Ben at full speed.  Tiffany “Tiffy” Anderson had shoulder length curly hair that bounced as she ran and freckles covered her face.  At all of nine years old, she was as fiery as her hair color. She wore a purple sundress paired with tights, both covered in mud.
“Hi gorgeous.”  Ben lifted her high into the air and kissed forehead.  “What are you up to today?”
“Playing with Miley.”   A little golden retriever pup ran after her.  
“Looks like you two found some good ole’ springtime mud.”
“It was her fault.”  She ruffled the fur on the muddy dog’s head.  “She gets me in trouble.”
“You don’t need any help getting into trouble, you do well all by yourself.”  Ben tickled her sides.
She smiled, the baby teeth missing from her smile added to her young innocence.  
“Where’s your daddy?”
“Inside.”  She took Ben’s hand and led him into the house.  “Him and Mommy are planning a trip for us to Florida.  To Disney World!”  
“And I don’t even get an invite?”  Ben frowned as though he was hurt.
“You can come!”
Ben laughed.  “I was joking.  I think it’s a trip for the three of you, you’ll have fun.”
“Oaawe,” Tiffy said in disappointment.  
“Hi Ben,” Tiffy’s mother Joanne said.  Joanne looked tired, but put on a strong front for Tiffy.  Joanne was thirty five, but on this day looked to be in her late forties.  Tiffy’s sickness had aged her instantly.
“How are you doing?”
“We’re good.”  She walked over and kissed the top of Tiffy’s head.  Miley trotted in behind them and left a trail of muddy footprints.  “Though it looks like you two have gotten into some trouble.”  
“It was Miley’s fault.”  Tiffy pointed to the pup who cocked its head sideways at the accusation.
“Mhm.  Let’s you two cleaned up.”  Tiffy, Joanne, and Miley walked out of the dining room and upstairs.
“How are you holding up?”  Ben asked his brother Jack.  Jack looked as haggard as Joanne.  His jet black hair was disheveled and his five o’clock shadow black.
“As good as we can be I guess.”
Ben pulled a chair out.
“What are you looking at?”
“We asked Tiffy to make a list of all the things she wanted to do and see.  We want to make as many of her dreams come true as we can.”
“When are you going to Disney?”
“She has a doctor’s appointment the end of this week and we’ll make plans after that.”  Jack brought his hand to the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.  “I, ah.”  Jack’s voice broke and he took a deep breath.
Ben squeezed Jack’s shoulder and held his emotions at bay.  There was nothing he could say to alleviate Jack’s pain.  Jack cleared his throat.
“We have a couple of these covered, but I won’t lie, some of these are we’re going to have to be creative with.”  He smiled.
“Catch a unicorn.”  Jack read from the list.  “See the North Pole and visit Santa’s workshop.  Go skydiving.  See the Amazon.”  
“She’s a dreamer.”  Ben smiled.  “I’ll do whatever I can to help you guys out.”  He took the list from Jack.
Number two caught his attention.
“Learn to ride a horse and compete in a competition.”  Or as Tiffy had written
competishan
.
“I don’t know anyone around here who gives lessons that I’d trust.  Closest person I know is Teresa.”
“She lives two hours from here,” Ben said.
“Do you know anyone?”
Ben tapped on the table.  “I might be able to work on that one.”  
This will be painful, but I’d do anything for Tiffy.  Suck up your pride Ben.
“Who?”
“Long story.  I’ll get back to you.”  Ben didn’t like the idea, but she was a pediatric nurse, gave lessons, and lived a few minutes away.  Seemed like a perfect fit.  “Maybe we can get her to work on the unicorn too.”
Jack stared at the list spellbound.  “It seems so unreal.”  
“We’ll all get through this together.”  
“She doesn’t understand.”  
“It’s better she doesn’t.”
Miley came running downstairs soaking wet and sudsy, skidding down the last two steps.
“Miley!”  Tiffy came running behind her arms open.  “Come back here!”  
Joanne came down the stairs last falling in behind them.  Both Ben and Jack chuckled.
“That dog is the devil reincarnated.”
“She’s good for you guys.”
“Jack!  Some help!”  Joanne yelled.
Between the four of them they finally cornered the dog and brought her back to her bath, but not before the floors were covered in muddy water.  Ben’s blue polyester uniform pants had several splashes of mud too.
“It looks like you actually did some work today.”  Jack pointed at Ben’s pants.
“I gotta go home and change now.”  Ben went along with the joke.
 

CHAPTER SEVEN

“
Aubrey, this is Ben Anderson with the Maine State Police.  I know you’re familiar with who I am.  If you could please give me a call back when you have a moment.  My number is-”
Aubrey clucked end before the message got to his number.  
What the hell does he want?
She continued about doing her rounds and ignored the call.  She had nothing to say to him.  Her curiosity was peaked about what he could possibly want, but she wasn’t going to entertain returning the call.  She’d done nothing wrong and if he had any reason to speak to her, he knew where she worked and where she lived.  
Screw him.
Aubrey continued on with her day and headed home at her usual time.  On her travel home her speed didn’t exceed the limit.  She wasn’t giving Asshole, or any other officer, any reason to further drain her pockets.  The demolition and trip to Florida had drained her pockets enough.

Aubrey pulled into her drive and did her usual.
 Checked on Gunny and Trixie quickly then slumped into bed.

*****

8am the following morning Aubrey was awakened to the sound of her doorbell.
“Who the...grr....”  Aubrey grumbled and her feet hit the floor.  In a pair of lounge pants and tank top she was decent enough so that she wasn’t going to worry about her attire.  She padded loudly down the hallway to the front door.  Peering out the window, she saw a sight that wouldn’t start her day off in a positive light.  
THUD
She hit her head on the door, then opened it.
“I swear to God I’m going to file charges against you for stalking me Trooper.”
“Hold on before you get angry—”  
“I don’t get home until three in the morning.  I don’t get to sleep until four most mornings.  And on my day off you knock on my door waking me up at 8am.  I’m sorry I’m not receptive to whatever bullshit you are here to sell me.”
Trooper Asshole shook his head in frustration.  
“I’m sorry to wake you.  I was on my way through town and thought I’d try to catch you before you went to work.  You didn’t return my call.”
“Most people would take that as a hint that I wouldn’t want to speak to them.  Wait, how did you get my number?”
“It’s in our system.”  Asshole took his hat off.  “You give horseback riding lessons, I—”
“I’m not giving you lessons.”  Aubrey rolled her eyes and went to close the door.
“I’m not asking for me.”  He fidgeted with his hat.  “For my—”
“I don’t give private lessons period, so find your way back to your car.”  She made a motion as if to wave him along.  
“I know you don’t like me.  I’m not too fond of you either Miss Devlin.  But, this isn’t about me.  I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t the only option I could think of.”
“Again, leave.  I don’t give private lessons.”
“You do for sick kids.”
“Yes.”  She crossed her arms and gave him a dirty look.  “For therapy, I’ve told you this.”
“Would you give my niece lessons?  We’ll pay whatever your fee is.  She’s a good kid.”  Asshole looked at the horses.  “She wouldn’t give you any problem.”  
Aubrey thought for a moment then uncrossed her arms.  
“Is your niece sick?”  She pieced the puzzle together.
“She made a list of things she wants to do.”  Asshole looked out at the barn.  “Number two on the list is to learn to ride and compete in a competition.”
“What’s wrong with her?”  Aubrey’s anger eased.  Asshole had avoided the question.   
“She has a malignant tumor on her brain.”  He put his hands on his hips and looked at the ground.  Aubrey could tell he was fighting to keep his composure.
“I’m sorry,” she said sincerely.
“Me too.”
Silence settled.
“How far has the cancer spread?”
“To look at her you wouldn’t know anything was wrong.  She’s a normal happy kid.  But she’s not normal anymore.  Her life is on a timer.”
Aubrey wasn’t going to further interrogate him.
“I’ll see what I can do with her parents’ schedule.  You can give them my number.”
He finally looked up from the ground.  
“I wouldn’t bother you if it were for anyone else, trust me.  We have a good hatred for one another.  But, I’d do anything for her.”
Aubrey didn’t know what to say to him.
“Thank you,” he said sincerely.  “And I’m sorry I woke you.”
“It’s alright.”  She wrapped her arms around herself chilled from the cold air.
“I won’t keep you out in the cold.  Have a nice day Miss Devlin.”
“You too, Trooper.”
Asshole walked back down the stairs and to his car.  Aubrey walked back inside and watched him pull out of her drive.
What the hell just happened?

*****

Ben pulled back onto the road from Toad’s house.  Their little reunion went better than Ben anticipated.  The expectation was she wouldn’t give him the chance to explain why he was there and would send him packing before he could.  But she hadn't.  It was hard for him to ask her for a favor after all that had transpired between them.  But, he’d eat his hat for Tiffy if she asked.
He headed toward Tranton, his mind wandering to the months down the road.  A car passed him going nearly double the speed limit, but Ben was too distracted to pull it over.  Brake lights came on in the rearview anyhow.  It was their lucky day.
“Ben.”  Sergeant Michael Kerr with the Maine Game Warden Service patted him on the back.  Mike worked the same area as Ben and their paths had been intertwined both professionally and personally.
“Hey Mike.”
“I’ve heard a rumor about you.”
“Oh here we go.”  Ben laughed.  “Who am I screwing now?”
Mike smiled.  “I heard you were thinking about crossing the line over to our side.  Green is more appropriate on men than baby blue.”
“Don’t believe everything you here Sarge.”  Ben smoothed out his uniform.  “And I look damn good in blue.”
“Chris is retiring pretty soon.  I’ll put in a good word for you.”  Mike winked at him and walked down the hallway to Ben’s Lieutenant's office.  
Truth be told, Ben wanted to cross the line to the Warden Service.  The next slot that opened he was putting in for.  It was far more appealing than his job most days.  They got to have all the fun and the toys.  Snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, planes, jet skis, pickup trucks. They dealt with fish and game violations along with search and rescue operations.  Every man’s dream job.  Ben talked with a few of the guys about it and apparently word had spread.  Cops were the worst at keeping secrets.
Ben sat down at his desk and picked up the phone to call Joanne and give her Aubrey’s phone number.  Number two on the list was taken care of.  Only a couple dozen more to go.