The car passed under the trees, followed the curve of the pink driveway, then parked in front of the police academy entrance stairs.
The girl who opened the passenger side door carried a pile of books with thousands of post-it on top of which was a PC tablet threatening to fall over. A leather satchel beat her thighs. She wore a knitted beret and a giant crochet sweater on worn out jeans.
She stumbled when one of her boots heels hit the curb, executed some panicked steps with the o-o-oh of an amateur tightrope artist, then resumed her balance.
- "Well done", laughed the man who was at the wheel, watching the performance through the window.
He wore sunglasses that didn't hide his gentle look and his hair was gray, cut military fashion.
- "Don't you think a backpack would be a better option?"
The girl pouted, then smiled mischievously over her stack of books while removing the PC tablet and stuffing it loosely in her satchel.
- "I'm doing fine."
- "Looks like me at the same age, though..." the man muttered, amused.
She wasn't listening, busy rummaging through the narrow pockets of her jeans. A silver whistle dangled from her long chain necklace. A long black raven loop slipped on her chin. She blew absently to get rid of it.
- "Thanks for the drive", she began, "I… ha! I forgot my mobile at home!"
- "Smart. It's these chemicals you put on your head, I'm sure. What's with the blue forelock? Who did you believe? This is not the latest fashion. Why, next week, you'll be blonde with a carrot fringe?"
- "Dad ! You're making fun of me! she said, pulling a face. "How would you know fashion, anyway? I do what I want with my hair!"
- "Sorry", chuckled the man. "Am I picking you up after class, tonight?"
- "No, actually. I'm going to Ashley's, we'll study old files."
- "Where did she get them?"
- "Her mother brought them back from the prosecutors' office. In short, if Mum's looking for me when, tell her to call there. I'll spend the night."
The man's eyes narrowed.
- "There won't be boys implied this night study, I hope…?"
- "Dad!"
- "Okay, okay, understood. See you tomorrow."
She waved through the window, then straightened the strap of her bag and attacked the steps, the stack of books up to her chin.
He watched her walk away with love, amazed once again at her joyful and inexhaustible energy.
She inherited from her mother her cute mouth and round nose. From her father, she got the ethereal blue eyes and the dark curls.
From the two of them, a stubborn and willful character, a brilliant mind and a generous heart.
A girl caught up with her and took some of the books. They passed under the porch and disappeared inside the building.
- "Have a good day, princess", said the man alone at the wheel.
He switched on the engine and the car went around the esplanade under the bright sun.
At the entrance, the guards greeted him with respect while the barrier was raised.
- "Were you giving a lecture today?" asked the one who was on the driver's side, while the other watched the mechanism.
The man smiled. His finger with a big silver ring drummed absently on the wheel.
- "No, I just gave a lift to school to my daughter. These girls! She forgot her cellphone..."
- "Too bad we can't pin up a spy device on the collar of their jacket, at this age", joked the closest guard with a somewhat compassionate look.
- "Oh, she is carrying one around", said the man at the wheel. "It's just that her mother of her friend will send us the bill for the cell phone. And it's going to hurt."
The guard raised a surprised eyebrow, but did not dare add anything.
- "Have a good day", said the man when the passage was cleared.
- "Have a good day, doctor Watson!" replied the two guards, saluting together, before exchanging a puzzled look.
The car stopped to give a look at the road before engaging on it, then disappeared in a roar of the engine.