Page 54 of Fragile hearts

“It’s not the first time. They have done it several times over the past few years it won’t surprise me if they don’t find anything again.”

“Do you think, they want to talk to you?”

She thinks about it for a moment. “They didn’t the last time, but I wasn’t living here then, maybe they will now.”

“And you’re okay with that?” She gives me a grim smile.

“I don’t have a choice, and it’s not like it’s the first time I would be talking about it.” She acts like it isn’t bothering her, but I know her better than she thinks.

“You’re having nightmares,” I say gently, meeting her eyes.

“I’ve always had them, they come and go. I’m used to it now.”

“Do you talk to anyone about that?”

She sighs shaking her head. “I tried once, but it isn’t for me.”

I don’t respond for a minute. “You know you can talk to me, right?”

“I know,” she says, leaning forward to grab her notepad, when I look at the time, I still have four hours until my shift.

“Can I show you something?”

She glances at me curiously. “Sure.”

“What is this?” Alexis asks when we’re standing in her front yard. I sprinted home to grab her gift. I stare at the object that I’m holding.

“This,” I start. “Is called a bicycle, it’s a vehicle with two pedals. It was invented—”

She cuts me off, her eyes narrowed. “I know what a bicycle is, smart-ass. Why did you want to show me that?”

“Well…It’s yours.”

“Mine?—You know I can’t ride it right?”

“I know, but I’m going to teach you.”

She raises her eyebrows at me, her hand on her hip. “You’re going to teach me how to ride a bike?”

I nod. “Yes.”

She glances down at it. It’s in her favorite color. “It’s pink. I love pink,” she mumbles, touching the handles.

“I know, that’s why I got it.”

“I always wanted to ride a bike.”

“I know.”

“You know a lot of things, don’t you, Sherlock?” she teases, but I can see how happy she is.

“About you, yes.” I pat the saddle, pretending I don’t see how she’s shielding her face, hiding the blush that’s forming on her cheeks.

“Come on,” I say.

She circles the bike, coming to stand in front of me. “Hands on the handlebars, your left foot on the pedal, and lift yourself into the saddle.”

She follows my instructions, the bike shaking. I hold it tightly until she’s stable and has both feet on the pedals.