BENCHED by Abigail Graham Page B

pocket for my phone.
    She grabs my wrist. “Don’t bother. I don’t care. He doesn’t scare me. Sit down.”
    I blink a few times, then let go of my phone and sink back into the couch. I like this couch. I just wish the back was taller.
    “I can concentrate,” I say
    “What?”
    “I like football, exercise, and driving fast because I can concentrate. Forget shit. I have a lot running through my head.”
    She nods. “Yeah. I get that. Focus. Worst part of my job is between tickets when there’s nothing to do but sit and think.”
    “Can’t you do something else?”
    She shrugs. “The guys fuck around when they’re on traffic duty, but I don’t. Feels wrong.”
    “So you sit there and think.”
    “Yeah.”
    “About your husband?”
    She gives me a sharp look.
    “I don’t want to talk about that.”
    “I saw the ring. Just wondering.”
    “You know, I overheard Carrie telling you.”
    I sigh. “Yeah. Hard being on your own?”
    “I’m not on my own. I have my little girl.”
    “Right, I mean…”
    “I’m not going husband shopping if that’s what you’re implying.”
    “It just seems like a lot for one person.”
    She scowls at me. “So what are you trying to distract yourself from? Something in a hospital, right?”
    I flinch. “How did you know?”
    “I’m a cop. You ever read Sherlock Holmes?”
    “Yeah. Don’t look shocked I read a book.”
    She glances over her shoulder. “How many stairs do I have? You’ve been up there what, twice now?”
    “I don’t know. I never counted them.”
    “Exactly. You’ve seen them, but you didn’t observe. I’m a cop. I observe. It’s nine, by the way. The stairs. Nine.”
    “Right. Okay, you got me. I had a bad time in a hospital once. Well, more than once, but you know what I mean.”
    She nods. “I’m surprised.”
    “By what?”
    “You’re human. I thought you were just a giant walking dick.”
    I snort. “Right.”
    She works her jaw as if chewing something, and speaks without looking at me. “Thank you for your help. I appreciate it. You got to her so fast. She adores you.”
    “Just hero worship. I hope I don’t let her down.”
    “I didn’t think you cared.”
    “I didn’t used to.”
    She nods. “I hope she doesn’t start hating football now. You know how kids can be.”
    “She won’t. She’s too tough. Weird they let the girls play, though. Not like they can keep going.”
    “That will take care of itself. You still drive your mom’s car and something bad happened to you in a hospital.”
    I look at her.
    “Sorry. Cop. I looked you up and there’s nothing. Official team bio and all that crap starts when you’re in college. Says you went on scholarship. Nothing about any family.”
    “I have a dad. Don’t talk to him.”
    “Where is he?”
    “Prison,” I grunt.
    “Oh.”
    I watch her. The wheels are turning in her head. I can see the thoughts bubbling behind her eyes.
    “I don’t like to think about it.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Yeah. You want help with your dishes?”
    “No. I’ve got it. You can go.”
    I rise to my feet, and she walks me to the front door.
    “When do you leave for work?”
    “I have to be in by eight.”
    “I’ll be here at seven thirty.”
    “What?” she says. “Why?”
    “Watch the kid for you.”
    “I’ll call my sister.”
    “Don’t trouble her. I don’t have anything better to do, remember? She’ll probably sleep all day anyway. I just have to sit on the couch. It’s not a big deal, that’s all I’d do over there.” I point my thumb at the house next door.
    She bites her lip. “I’m not sure I…”
    “Seven thirty.”
    “Look. This isn’t going to get you a date.”
    “I don’t expect anything from you.”
    She sighs, and blows the hair out of her eyes. “Fine. Seven thirty.”
    “Yeah.”
    The door closes behind me and I trudge back to my rented house, open the door, step inside, and flop down on the couch. I flip channels for a while, but nothing on