New Beginnings
Monday Morning, 8:30 AM - Precinct Parking Lot
Santos pulled into the parking lot at exactly 8:29 AM. She had barely gotten any slept Sunday night—because Ramirez had kept her up until 3 AM doing things that should be illegal, and because she was dreading car walking into the precinct after her “tsunami” outburst on Friday.
She was getting out of her car when another car pulled in next to hers.
Ramirez’s black sedan.
He stepped out, in his work suit attire, and he flashed Santos a smile that made her knees weak.
Detective Ramirez: “Good morning, Officer Santos. Nice meeting you here.”
Santos: “Ramirez, what are you doing here? I thought you were going back to your precinct today.”
Detective Ramirez: “I have a meeting with Captain Rodriguez this morning.”
Santos: “About what?”
Detective Ramirez: “I have no clue guess we’ll have to find out.”
He walked around to her side of the car as she got out, and for a moment they just stood there, close enough to touch but maintaining professional distance.
Detective Ramirez: “You ready? I’m quite sure we were talk about at every water cooler in the building.”
Santos took a deep breath.
Santos: “Yeah. Let’s do this.”
They walked toward the precinct entrance together. Ramirez reached the door first and opened it.
Detective Ramirez: “Ladies first.”
Santos: “Thanks, Hurricane.”
Detective Ramirez: “My pleasure, Tsunami.”
The moment they stepped through that door, it was like someone had scratched a record at a party. Every conversation stopped. Every head turned. The entire bullpen went dead silent.
Officer Matthews was mid-sip of coffee and nearly choked.
Officer Chen dropped her pen.
Officer Martinez just stared, mouth hanging open. Again.
Santos felt the redness spreading on her face but kept her chin high and walked toward her desk like “Tsunami” never happened.
Captain Rodriguez: “RAMIREZ! My office. NOW. Santos, get to work.”
Ramirez shot Santos a quick wink before heading toward the Captain’s office. Santos sank into her desk chair, hyperaware of every eye still on her.
Officer Matthews: “So, Tsunami, how was your weekend?” You didn’t wet up everything did you?
Santos: “Matthews, I will tase your ass. Don’t think I won’t.”
Officer Chen: “Leave her alone, Matthews. Although Santos, you do look… satisfied from a hurricane.”
Santos: “Fu…all of you.”
Officer Martinez: “Hey, we’re just happy for you. We heard Hurricane Tongue is a legend. You’re living every woman’s dream.”
Santos buried her face in her hands.
Santos: “I’m going to request a transfer to Antarctica.”
Captain Rodriguez’s Office
Captain Rodriguez: “Good morning. I have some news that’s good for you and bad for me. Which one you want first? Good or bad?”
Ramirez: “Ahh, bad. Always tackle the bad news first.”
Captain Rodriguez leaned back in his chair with a long-suffering sigh.
Captain Rodriguez: “I have to put up with two workers with unusual nicknames. Catch my drift?”
Ramirez: “So you’re saying I’m part of your team, Captain?
Captain Rodriguez: “Yes, son. They transferred you to my precinct.”
Ramirez: “YES! YES!”
The Bullpen
Everyone in the precinct heard Ramirez’s shout. Heads swiveled toward the Captain’s office.
Officer Matthews: “What the hell that’s about?”
Officer Chen: “Did Ramirez just yell ‘yes’?”
Officer Martinez: “Maybe the Captain gave him an award or something?”
Santos sat at her desk, a smile slowly spreading across her face. She had a pretty good idea why Ramirez was celebrating.
And if she was right, this just became the best Monday morning of her entire life.
To be continued………