I almost didn’t go. The envelope came without a return address,
just a typed invite to a “community honor event.” I figured it was a
mistake—maybe meant for someone else. I wasn’t a hero. I wasn’t even
part of the force anymore. Not since I walked away five years ago and never
looked back. But something about the tone… it didn’t feel official. It felt personal.
So I went. It was sunny and quiet when I got there. A bunch of uniforms were already
gathered outside the community center. People in dress clothes, some holding flowers,
others chatting in folding chairs. It didn’t hit me until I saw him standing near the podium,
fiddling with the mic. Derrick. I hadn’t seen him since that night in the rain. Since the night we
both made a choice—him to stay, me to leave. We’d been partners for eight years. Best friends even
longer. Until things got messy. Until I said something I couldn’t take back. I was about to turn around
and leave when someone called my name. Next thing I know, Derrick’s walking straight toward me. He didn’t hesitate.