Forbidden With Me - Leigh Lennon Page 0,2
this little one, with her puffy little cheeks and her raven hair matted to her head, that she’ll see her mommy again. But if I could protect her from the carnage in her house, I’ll do this. It’s my only goal in the here and now.
Chapter 1
Two Years Later
Wells
Little by little, my life returns to normal after the sweet girl had clung to my body and buried her tear-stained face into my neck and shoulder. I’ll never forget her, and I won’t stop until the man who’s responsible for her family's death is placed behind bars. This sweet girl, who has already become a part of my heart, has sent me a letter. When I read it, I just know I have to respond.
Dear Mr. Police Angel,
I never wrote you after you took me out of my house. That was two years ago. I talk about you with this person my aunt takes me to. I tell her you were a hero. Are you sometimes sad when you see bad things, like you did that night? I’m sad for you, if it upsets you. Aunt Mally told me I have to go back to school this year. I didn’t for the first year, and I schooled at home for the second one. Did you know I was named after my aunt Mally? Her name is Malia, too? She was my mom’s twin sister, Malia and Maria. But Mommy called her Mally her whole life.
Anyway, Mr. Police Angel, thank you for saving me, and please don’t be sad when you see sad things.
Your friend,
Malia Strickland
Dear Malia,
Hey, sweetie, I was so happy to hear from you. And you’re right, I’m sad when I see bad things. It’s one reason I became a policeman. I like helping people. It’s a part of the job, plus it’s the reason I met you.
I’m glad you’re going back to school. I think it’s a great way to meet new friends. Did you know I met Matt, Jules’s brother, in policeman school? And now he’s my best friend.
You’ll have to tell me what your favorite subject is and what you do for fun.
For now, sweetie, take care of yourself.
Wells Shanahan
Writing to a young girl is an odd sensation. I have no experience and try to leave it simple by talking to her on her level. Surely, my speech would be different if she’d been older, but she’s not. My interactions with kids are limited, but she’s also never left my mind. How can anyone forget the sole survivor of a massacre that’s haunted my dreams for the past two years?
She’s so young, but her name for me, Police Angel, makes me her hero when I’m nothing close to a hero. If I were one, I would have caught the perp the night he knocked me off my balance. I would have already given her justice.
The murders remain unsolved, and the detective heading the investigation has finally gotten used to me being a constant in it. I’m not a detective, not even close, but one day, I hope to be, and if these murders aren’t solved by then, I’ll not rest until I give her the justice she deserves.
Three years after the murders
An entire year flies by, and the little girl’s smile, the only one she gave me that night when I pulled a lollipop from my squad car, stays with me. I imagine the same smile on her face, her chocolate eyes shining, when her next letter unexpectedly shows up in my mailbox.
Dear Mr. Police Angel,
I’m not good at writing you back. In this past year, I attend school, then I go to counseling and then back home. I concentrate on drawing. I love to draw. I just turned twelve. School is okay, but the boys are mean. I do have one friend, and her name is Briana. She likes to draw like I do, and we both wear the color black a lot. We have matching best friend necklaces, and no one messes with me, or they have to deal with her. She’s much stronger than I am. Anyway, Mr. Police Angel, I will try to get better about writing.
Your friend,
Malia Strickland
P.S. My favorite class is art since I’m very good at drawing.
Dear Malia,
I’m very happy you did well in school this year. I love that you have a good friend, but you’re a strong person, too. Don’t ever forget this.
So, art, right? I can’t wait to see something you’ve drawn. Having a best friend along