Day One- March 15, 2020

You aren’t from around here are you? he recalled.

It took Michelle about a week to reach out, but she finally did to his surprise. There was no ‘Hello’ or ‘Can I speak to…” Right out the gate she came with the heat.

A straight shooter. She got to the point.

He liked that.

After he silenced his laughter, he did admit that he was raised in Maryland and traveled around in the military before settling in Detroit.  “Do I have an accent or something?”

“No,” she said dryly, “You just seem different.”

It felt like a chore getting her to open up about herself though she had a barrage of questions for him, which he answered, all honestly.  That seemed to put her mind somewhat at ease since they were still chatting.  Demetrius understood her reservations.  It’s not common to randomly meet someone on a snowy morning and strike up a conversation like they did. Or even having said stranger come back months later to shovel your snow.  Not in Detroit.  Not being a mom either.

Of all the people outside that morning, his attention was drawn to her.  He usually drove around her area toward the end of his shift to clear his mind, but it was hard to ignore a person bundled up like a bear, tripping through piles of snow in the wee hours of the morning.

The winter had been a mild one but he was really looking for an excuse to see her again.  He couldn’t really justify a reason either.  I was just something he felt like he had to do.  Seeing her the second time peeked his interest.  She had this quiet strength about her with a soft voice that beckoned him to listen.

Fine as all get out, too!

Her big brown eyes were the first thing he noticed…because her face was all covered up. But seeing her without her extra fifteen pounds of snow gear on gave him a much better picture of who she was.  When she smiled his mind went blank though.

This virus was really screwing up my flow, he thought

He had a few spots come to mind when she said she liked Italian food.  Giovanni’s was his favorite, mainly because they always gave him free food when he was in the area.  Perks of being a good cop.

For the past few weeks, he and Michelle would talk right after the start of his shift.  She said she didn’t mind the late night chatter while her son was sleeping.  Her forwardness was attractive.  Her humor was subtle and sarcastic at times, especially after she admitted to using him for ‘the stability of her own sanity’.

Listen, raising a boy who just wants to talk about bugs and dinosaurs and jump off of furniture is not good for my brain!

Demetrius remembered bothering his mom and dad at that age; firing off the thousand and one questions and ideas that flooded his mind. One time he put on his red cape, borrowed his mother’s glasses, put on his dad’s dress socks because they came up to his knees, and stood at the top of the basement stairs announcing his super powers.

At that age calculating important things, like the low ceiling that his dad often ducked under whenever he retrieved laundry, were often missed.  All he remembered was that feeling of flying right before a sudden jolt of pain shot through his forehead before everything went dark. By the time he came to, his mother was frantically yelling over him and his dad was just shaking his head, laughing.

The scar above his right eye serves as a constant reminder that it can be worth it to take risks, but make sure you count the costs involved.

Demetrius understood Michelle’s feelings. Boys are adventure seekers!

Whatever excuse she had, he didn’t mind at all.  The conversations were welcome. Usually on the quiet nights, he would listen to real estate podcasts or park his car to catch up on jotting down ideas. Eight years in the navy and nine as police officer started to feel like it was time to call it quits. There was nothing better than clocking in and going out to ‘save the world’ but after being shot twice and shootouts seemingly every other month, the job started to take it’s toll.

Detroit was changing and now it was time to take a different approach to being a hero. One that wouldn’t cause bodily harm.

His mother was no help, either. She was already overprotective since his dad was gone and his job didn’t help her sleep any better. Now every time he goes to visit she makes sure to call down Heaven before he leaves her house…and pray for grandchildren. As annoyed as he usually became by her requests for children he was in no position to have right now, her prayers were always a comfort to him.

All of it was too much to think about.  He just wanted to lay on a beach somewhere and go to sleep.

Lots of adjustments were being made and policies being changed overnight to accommodate the fact that people were asked to stay home. The air in the precinct grew thicker whenever there was a briefing with the police chief.

What’s next?!  It’s already known that any call the precinct gets could potentially go south, but now the added worry of people in his own department catching a killer virus? Every single shift? That type of uneasiness was something that was palpable. Even the most seasoned vets struggled to swallow their fear.

The seven year old Demetrius was still in there: selfless, determined, protective.  But grown Demetrius was well aware his limitations. That’s where Michelle started to creep in.  Their texts, or quick chats, was something he started to look forward to; keeping him grounded when his mind wanted to run wild.

They didn’t talk tonight though.  He wasn’t too bothered by it either.
It was a pretty hectic day for a lot of people.  Schools were closed.  Businesses shut down.  Sports cancelled.  You know it’s pretty serious when they cancel an WHOLE NBA season!

Lots of people were rushing in and out of every store imaginable to stock up on necessities. He was grateful for her suggestion to run out and grab toilet tissue a week ago because stores were all out of it today. The whole situation was starting to stress him out. His mother’s constant calls had him thinking of moving in with her just so she wouldn’t be alone.  Times like this made him wish his father was around, or have someone to hold close.

Demetrius scratched his chin and sighed, hoping he could shake off some of the pressure he was beginning to feel, but it didn’t help.
“I just need time to think,” he mumbled to the air in his car.

As he laid his head back to rest his eyes, he felt the vibration of his phone on his belt. It was Michelle. Demetrius halted the smile that crept over his lips as he sat straight up in his seat. Their talks usually stopped around midnight so he didn’t know what it meant for her to be calling him at four in the morning. “Hey, you good?” he answered.

There was rustling on her end for about five seconds.  It felt like an eternity before she responded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry for calling so late. Are you at work?”
“Yeah,” he said, more relieved that she was ok more than anything.  Easing back into his seat, a lazy grin found his lips.  So this is what she sounds like when she wakes up?    There was a smokiness to her voice that reminded him of Ella Fitzgerald.  His grandmother would always play her songs while she rocked him in her arms.  Ignoring the invitation to allow his thoughts to trail off, he quickly asked, “Why are you up?”

“Because of you,” she said clearing her throat. He could tell that she was still trying to shake the sleep off her voice.  She inhaled, “I really don’t know why, but I just have a strong urge to pray for you.”

Before Demetrius could respond, Michelle started. Naturally, out of respect, he closed his eyes but she prayed with a fervor and an authority that he just stared at the phone in amazement.  The more she went on the more free he felt a fondness for her. Other than his mother and grandmothers, no woman had petitioned so strongly for him.

She prayed a Cool-aid smile on his face.
“I really appreciate that,” he sighed. “It’s been really crazy lately and that couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.  Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she yawned. “Please be safe, though.”

“Is that you showing that you care?” he teased.
“Good night Demetrius,” she laughed softly.

Demetrius sat up in his seat, feeling lighter, ready to finish his shift strong.

Love is like flying, huh?