“I don’t know what do with my life,” Spencer said.
“I wanted to be a cop from the time I was ten years old. I worked my ass off until I made that dream a reality. Was there anything you wanted to be when you were a kid that you could try now?”
Spencer shook his head. “I wanted to be just like my parents when I was a kid. They were doing important work helping todevelop drugs to make people’s lives better. I don’t know if I could anything like that.”
“My advice would be to look at the local college and technical school websites. See what sorts of classes are available and if any of them interest you. I think they’d let you sit in on a class or two just to see if you’d like to peruse signing up for classes. I know the Salem police offer civilian ride-alongs, where you’d spend time with an officer as he answers calls and writes tickets or what not. In the meantime, it might be the right moment for you to get a job.”
“What could I possibly do? I’m a complete fuck up.”
“I disagree with that. You’re not a fuck up. You lost your way for a bit, that’s all. I know that Carson is looking for part-time help at West Side Magick. He needs someone to help customers, ring up their orders, put items in a bag, maybe even suggest readings. You saw what Ten and the others can do firsthand. I think Cassie needs help in the mornings to bake bread and pastries for the day. You’re experience baking with Aunt Effy Lou could come in handy there.” Ronan paused, studying Spencer’s reaction. “What do you think?”
“You really think I could do those things? Making bread and helping customers?” Spencer sounded awestruck.
“I do, but the big question is, doyouthink you can do those things?”
“Well, I didn’t think I’d be able to peel potatoes, but here I am.” Spencer pointed to the small pile of spuds. “Yeah, I think I can do it.”
“Swing by tomorrow morning. Dress nicely in clean clothes, you know, look like you’re qualified for the jobs. You know what people say about first impressions.”
“Yeah.” Spencer offered a big smile. “I think I’m finally starting to see the potential in myself that Aunt Effy Lou saw in me.”
“Hold on to that,” Ronan advised.
Ronan had been a ball of nerves on their way into Boston this morning. He’d come up with a dozen different scenarios of how this trip to the shelter could go horribly wrong, but sitting with Spencer now, he was thrilled to see he’d worried over nothing.
Thinking back to his mother, Erin, had always believed in him completely. It had been that belief which propelled Ronan to join the police academy and become a police officer. Now that he was a father, Ronan’s goal everyday was to show his kids he felt the same way about them. It wouldn’t hurt to foster that belief in the people around him, starting with Spencer.
20
Tennyson
It was a gorgeous September day in Salem. Perfect weather for the elementary school fundraiser. Tent tops were set up all over the Salem Commons, some offered crafts and artwork, while others offered food. There were face painters, several juggling clowns, which gave Ten the creeps, carnival rides, and of course the main attraction, the dunk tank.
Ten was absolutely thrilled that the sun was shining and temperatures were in the mid-seventies, not only because good weather would mean a better turnout, but because Ronan was about to take his place in the dunk tank. The line to Dunk the Detective, as Max Preston named it, stretched almost into the parking lot.
“Are you ready to do this?” Ten asked, as Ronan slipped into his chicken costume.
“I was born ready, baby!” Ronan turned to the crowd of potential dunkers. “Look at all of the people here to donate money to the school. Hell, with all of the money I’m gonna bring in today, we’ll be able to take the kids to Italy instead of the planetarium.”
“Dream big, Ronan.” Ten patted his husband’s shoulder and led him over to the tank. Ronan was about to climb the ladder to get into it, when Jude approached, dressed like a carnival barker and carrying a megaphone.
“Ladies, and gentlemen,” Jude said into his megaphone. “It’s my honor to welcome you all to the fundraiser! Our goal is to raise about twenty-five hundred dollars per grade to take the kiddos on a field trip to the Museum of Science in Boston. Donate early. Donate often. Taking a turn in the tank is one of the Salem Police’s finest, Ronan O’Mara. If you’ve ever gotten a ticket you didn’t deserve, come on over and get your revenge!”
“I don’t write tickets!” Ronan shouted to Jude from the seat inside the tank.
“They don’t need to know that!” Jude snickered before turning back to the crowd. “Taking the first shot to dunk the detective is a special guest. She’s member of the class of 2036 and is someone you all know and love, Miss Everly O’Mara!”
The crowd in front of the tank parted to reveal Everly wearing jeans and a Dunk My Daddy t-shirt. Her hair was in curly pigtails. She wore a determined look on her face. She waved to the crowd before handing Jude her money and taking a baseball.
Loud applause broke out. The crowd chanted her name. Wolf and Aurora crowded in behind her, wearing shirts identical to Everly’s along with Fitz, Jace, and Cope.
Everly stood at the yellow line. Her eye was on the target. Tennyson’s eyes went back and forth between Ronan and their daughter. It wasn’t a very charitable thought, but he hoped Everly dunked Ronan with her first ball. As a matter of fact, Ten hoped all the contestants dunked Ronan. Not that he’d ever tell his husband.
“Are you ready to do this?” Jude asked, after he’d lowered the megaphone.
Everly nodded. “I’m ready, Uncle Jude.” She waved at Ronan before throwing the ball toward the target that would drop the seat out from beneath her father and send him into the tank. The ball missed.
Jude quickly retrieved it. He knelt in front of Everly and handed the ball back. “You can do this. I believe in you.”
