Microstory 230: Perspective Five

This is an experimental Perspectives microstory. The introduction can be found in Microstory 225. More to follow.

Ever since that movie came out, I haven’t been able to crankily say that I’m too old for this ish. I thought it applied back then but now, I really, actually, truly am too old. For some reason, when I first became a cop, I didn’t think I would be doing it my whole life. Most people make a career out of this, or maybe they make a lateral move to private security, but it ain’t no steppin’ stone, that’s for sure. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I’ve been doubting my life choices for years now. I’m not gonna lie and say that I was one day from retirement, or some poetic nonsense like that. I’m still years away. Thanks, Obama! That was a joke; I voted for him twice, and I’d vote for him again if I could. And it’s not just because I’m black. I’m a woman too, and I seriously considered the platforms of the candidates before voting, despite what the republicans claim about “the black vote”. In fact, were it not for Palin, John McCain would have been a serious contender during my mind’s inner debate. But maybe that’s just the result of me having trouble focusing on one thing for too long; hence, this paragraph right here. I was assigned to be the partner of yet another rookie recently. I go through them like candy, not because I can’t get along with them, but because the bosses consider me to the best at training new officers. I kind of feel like a foster mother, always temporary until something better comes along. But I’m happy to do it, and I’m proud when one of my former little birds goes on to do something great. This one’s tough, though. He took to the job immediately, evidently a grand departure from his history of starting but never following through on new projects. He’s eager to learn and willing to take on the boring tasks, like paperwork. He doesn’t complain, and he doesn’t automatically think he knows what’s best. No, what makes this difficult is that he was just involved in a shooting. Many law enforcement officers spend their whole careers never firing their weapon in the field, like me. The fact that it happened to him so early is suspicious, at best. I fully intend to stay on this side and show the department my support and trust in him, but I worry it won’t be enough. I wasn’t on the scene at the time, nor was anyone else left alive. He has a long road ahead of him, and I guess for once I’m glad retirement isn’t in my near future, so I can keep fostering him.