Grateful Minute

The tree lighting ceremony was on the television. The party was brimming with chatter about the administration and welfare. It was a rough year for red blue and white. Minute passed me by while everybody was milling around the egg nog and peppermint chocolates in the kitchen. She put her hand on my shoulder as I looked over at the scene: peace and people being merry. A world apart from the streets that October. "I'd heard you have some paid leave coming. You ought to join us, the family." She smiled, carrying on with a few minor chores. "We'd all love to have you, and Lord knows, you may find some quiet after all." She'd meant well, but the only peace I seemed to find was another wall to wall week of cases. The big arson on Bredshire was calling to me. Then she stops me in the hallway as I'm putting on my coat. Pulling me in close, she looked me in the eyes and said, "I'm grateful for all you do, a real hero."