Second Time Around

Fair Warning

*Katrina POV*

I had finished loading everything I wanted to take with me. I noticed some boxes in the back of the truck that I didn't put there, and Officer Newman told me that she had found some food that was still good in the fridge and cabinets. She said to take them and use them at Mr. Darnell's, because after all, I still had to eat.

There were also bags with towels, sheets, and other things of that nature too. I didn't know her well, but this officer had become like a surrogate aunt to me. Which I found funny because I didn't even know her real name. I guess I should ask.

"Officer Newman, thank you for everything you have done for me. I feel you have gone beyond the requirements of your job to help me, and I appreciate it. Can I ask what your first name is?" I asked her.

She laughed and said it hadn't dawned on her that she had never told me that one little detail. "It's Amber. My first name is Amber, and I don't see helping you get back on your feet as a requirement of my job. I see it as the human thing to do. I only wish I had known about your circumstances long ago. Like, I don't know if you are aware or not, but your mom has been arrested and on our radar for a very long time. Mostly drunk and disorderly, but we always knew something else was happening where she was concerned. I want to give you something else, Kat. You can use it any time you want. Even if it's just for a friendly ear," she said as she handed me a piece of paper.

On the paper it had her name and her personal phone number. I stared at the paper as a rogue tear fell from my eye. "Thank you, Amber. I appreciate you so much. I don't know how I will ever repay you for your kindness," I told her as I hugged her.

"Oh, Katrina. You never have to repay me, but I tell you what, if you want to do so, here's how you can. You go to college, you graduate with honors, and you succeed at whatever your dreams are in life. Then, you come back to this shitty little town, and take a selfie with me holding that degree. That is how you can repay me," she smiled.

I laughed with her, and I told her she had a deal. She followed me to the storage unit, and we unloaded what I wasn't taking back to Mr. Darnells. I asked her if I could treat her to lunch before I took the truck back to Calvin, and she told me that she needed to get back to the station. However, she agreed to meet me for brunch on Sunday after my shift, because she had something for me that she wanted me to take with me to the campus.

I watched as she drove away, and suddenly I felt super lonely. Almost everyone I should have been able to depend on and spend time with was either dead or in jail. I decided to see what Amber had found in the kitchen, and see if there was anything I could work with to make my elderly roommate dinner with.

Unfortunately, there were bits and pieces of things that could go together, but nothing to make a full meal. So, I decided to take us to dinner, my treat as a thank you for helping me. First, I wanted to see Seth. Visits started in an hour, and I needed to talk to him.

I called Mr. Darnell, and asked him to meet me at Olive Garden at 6:30pm, and I wasn't taking no for an answer. He chuckled and told me he would be there, and asked what the special occasion was. I told him he would find out, and would see him then.

I pulled into Seth's driveway at his dad's house, and knocked on the door. I handed Calvin his keys, and thanked him for the use of his truck. I asked if he wanted to go to the prison with me, and he declined. He hasn't been to see his son, and from the sounds of it, he doesn't plan on it. He says he can't bear to see Seth like that.

Part of me thinks it's because he blames himself for not being a more vigilant father, but another part of me feels like it's that he is ashamed of Seth for what he has done. Hopefully, he changes his mind soon, because Seth is going to need him.

I unloaded what was left in the back of the truck, and put it into my trunk. Thankfully, none of the food would spoil, so I didn't have to rush home.

I went through the whole process of getting into the prison to see Seth only to be turned away. He had gotten in a fight, and was put in "the hole" and his visits were revoked until next week. He had also lost phone privileges until the weekend. My heart broke.

Slowly walking back to my car, I looked back to see if maybe someone would stop me saying they had changed their minds, but I knew that it was foolish of me to think that way. I would simply have to wait.

I stopped by the diner to pick up my paycheck, and was stopped by Gail. I think Gail had been working at the diner since she was able to start working. She always teased and said she was older than most anything in Pineville, except the diner. However, in the same breath, she would say how much she loved her job.

"Katrina, baby. I had been meaning to talk to you about what happened. I need to inform you of something that is important, because I don't want you blindsided. That man, Greg, is my nephew. He is my brother Earl's boy, and he is bad news. I don't associate with him or my brother, and neither does most of the family. I'm telling you this because I am worried about you. Just because he is behind bars, doesn't mean you are safe. He has people who do things for him, and I wouldn't put it past him to come after you," Gail explained.

I slightly gasped at the thought of him being her nephew. She was nothing like him. Gail was a short lady, who reminded you of Lucille Ball. Her hair was as red as fire, and she had the biggest smile that a woman of her stature could hold. Her laugh was contagious and, most of the time, there was nothing intimidating about her. Her goal in life was to make you laugh, not hurt someone.

"I, I don't know what to say, Gail. I don't hold it against you, you don't control your family. I believe you when you say you are worried about me, and I appreciate it. I will be careful now that I know I could still be in danger. Thanks for the heads-up, sweet lady," I told her.

I kept the smile on my face as much as I could until I walked out the door. Once I was in my car, there was no way I could hold it anymore.

I took out my phone, and Amber's number fell out of my pocket. I trusted her, and knew she would know what to do. I dialed her number and waited for her to pick up.

"Hello, officer Amber Newman speaking," she said. "Am… Amber, it's Katrina White." I managed to get out. "Katrina? Are you alright, love?" she asked.

No, I wasn't. I explained what Gail had told me, and Amber told me to go straight home. I told her I had to meet Mr. Darnell for dinner, and she asked where. Once, I told her she asked if she could join us, and when I told her I would like that, she said she would meet us there. We will work out a plan to keep me safe.