hire you with a bachelor’s degree. Then you can get your postgrad education online, if you’d like. We’ll pay for it.”
Tommy swallowed. “That… feels like a long time from now.”
“It isn’t.” For the first time the man smiled. “I have my doctorate in behavioral sciences.” He paused. “The department looks favorably on all higher education. Bet you didn’t know that.”
“No, sir.” Tommy had never thought about it. But postgraduate studies mattered at the top of most fields. Why would police work be any different? He lifted his eyes to the photos on the wall again. If each of those men and women had college degrees, well, then Lieutenant Gere was just being straight with him.
“So, here’s what I want you to do.” The lieutenant leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Tommy’s. “You finish high school and get that bachelor’s degree. Whenever you’re in town, you can do a ride-along. Once a week, if you want.” He lowered his chin, his eyes serious. “And when you graduate, you come see me. If you’re still interested, I’ll have a job for you.”
The man stood and Tommy followed suit. They shook hands at the door and again Tommy thanked him. “You’ll see me around. I’m sure of that.”
“I’m sure, too.”
Not till Tommy was in his Jeep headed home did he try to make sense of what had just happened. The highs and lows of the conversation mixed together. There would be no police job right out of high school, if he wanted to work for the IMPD. Which would make his mom happy. But the lieutenant definitely liked him. There was no denying that, or the fact that he wanted to hire Tommy. Someday. He definitely did. Tommy rolled down the window and took a deep breath. He would be a police officer in time. He would.
Just not yet.
* * *
REAGAN HAD LOOKED forward to this night since last Christmas.
The kids were in bed and Luke was working in his office at the back of the house. So this Saturday night was the perfect moment. Since their first year of marriage, each Christmas Reagan had found a quiet evening to decorate their family tree.
Their decorations were not fancy or elegant. Rather, every one of them contained a family photo. Some were handmade when the kids were little. Others had small pretty frames.
Reagan carried the third and final box from the Christmas closet. The house had been decorated in reds and greens and garlands since Thanksgiving weekend. But with Reagan’s work at school, and Annalee’s sickness, the ornaments had stayed in their boxes.
Until tonight.
Yes, hanging these precious memories on the tree was one of Reagan’s favorite moments of the season. A time to remember the kids’ sweet faces from years gone by. A time to remember. Reagan smiled at the first box. Christmas, itself, was like this. A mix of the happy times from Decembers gone by. Hope for those yet to come.
Reagan used her phone to start a quiet instrumental Christmas album through the house. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” played first.
“Perfect,” Reagan whispered. She opened the box, and there at the top was the large cardboard star, covered in glitter. Tommy had made it when he was just two. Back then he’d had one request as he gave it to her. “Keep it on our tree forever, Mommy? Okay?” Reagan could still hear his young singsong voice.
Her answer had been immediate. “Of course, Tommy. This will be our family star forever.” And so it had been.
She lifted it from the box and as she did the front door opened. Tommy walked in, and from the moment their eyes met Reagan knew.
Something was wrong.
He stopped, then he came and sank into the chair nearest her. He nodded at the yellow cardboard cutout in her hand. “My old star.”
“Yes.” She set it down and came to him. “I’m doing the tree tonight.”
Tommy nodded. He leaned forward, his forearms on his knees. “I talked to Lieutenant Gere. Since my ride-alongs are done.”
“Okay.” Reagan had no idea where this was going. Had he taken a job? Already? She sat in the chair beside him. The ornaments could wait. “What did he say?”
Tommy looked at the floor. “He won’t hire me.” His eyes lifted to hers. “Not until I have my degree.”
Reagan forced herself not to move. Not to speak. Tommy wasn’t going to work as a cop right out of high school! Her heart soared with relief.
“I know.” Tommy linked his fingers behind