Maya Jones

Tuesday, July 16

Fork Police Station

...

It's been a week when they finally arrived in Forks. And within that week the only thing they did was organize their stuff in the house they are going to live in.

When they left Forks their family sold their house that's why Mira had to find a new house that they're going to live in. She bought a house that is located in the forest. It's an old house that is almost 50 years old. The old black house was owned by an old scientist, Professor McQuillan. He died 15 years ago and because the house lot is wide and the location is almost deep in the forest no one wanted to buy it. There'll be a large sum of money needed to officially buy the place and because of that, it was hard to sell.

But of course, money was never a problem in their family. So when Mir found out that this place was being sold she took it and called for a renovation team to fixed the house the way we wanted. Now the old house was made into 3 floors modern house with the east and west side walls made in glass. The whole house is operated with an AI that our cousin, William, made and installed 2 weeks before we moved into the house. He took care of all the tech stuff in and outside the house. And the security that's needed to properly secure the whole property.

And aside from the house, there's also the greenhouse and laboratory that will be installed beside the house starting next week. Of course, Mira couldn't have just toss the job to some team because I need to supervise it myself. The greenhouse and laboratory will be my sanctuary, of course, I need to make sure that everything about it is perfect.

And if I have the greenhouse and lab as my sanctuary, Mira also has her own. Her training Gym and garage. It may sound like a simple place but of course, it's not. It's already built on the north side of the house but some equipment is still being shipped and will be arriving in 2 weeks.

Well, let's push that renovation and buildings aside. For now, I need to look for my forgetful older sister. I can't believe that she can even forget about her badge and cellphone. Well, forgetting about her cellphone can be understood because Mir doesn't like using it as much as possible. But her badge? That's going too far. I think I need to start her by taking some memory vitamins.

Taking Mir's badge, cellphone, and car keys I track my way towards the station after I parked my car.

Even though Forks is a small town and not many people live here, there are still some changes from here and there that I can remember. Like that Carver Cafe where I and Charlie go whenever we wanted to eat out. It was on the smaller side before but now it got a little wider. Even the police station has its changes. Before some residents complain that the station is too small and they lack manpower that's why the crime rate was a little high in those times. But now, they renovated the station and made it bigger. With that, it didn't become a problem when they took in officers to help maintain the town's security.

"Hi, good morning." I greeted the officer at the front desk.

"Good morning, Ma'am. How may I help you?" the officer asked with more respect than what I was used to. Though I'm happy to take this over than those prat officers who tried to harass me.

"I'm here for Captain Jones," I told him.

"Oh, Captain Jones went home to get her badge. She kinda forgot it," he said. "Commander Santiago was pissed with her when he found out that his Captain can even forget her badge at home."

I sighed when I heard that. "But that's why I'm here. I'm here to give her badge and phone." I said showing him the badge and phone.

"Well, you can either leave it here with me and I'll give it to her when she comes back or you can wait for her and give it to her. If you don't mind waiting."

"I don't mind. I'll just wait for my sister in the waiting area. If you see her please inform her where I am." And with that, I made my way to the waiting area.

When I got there, 2 police officers were sitting there and an old lady between them. They were so wrapped up with what they're talking with each other that they didn't even notice me sitting down on one of the sits not far from them. I didn't bother them and entertained myself with the magazines I found on top of the table in front of me.

The waiting area is like a Lounging area where you can find most of the people around the station resting and talking informally. It's a cozy place where you can smell the strong scent of coffee and some food that they tend to eat here.

With Mir being a cop it's not uncommon for me to enter a station to look for her. Because of that, most of her colleagues know me the same that I know them. Though, those people will only be colleagues of Mir no other more. Except of course if they are very close to Mir. Those I find the tolerance to befriend.

I was so into looking and reading a plant and earthy magazine that I didn't felt the presence standing beside me.

"Maya," I heard a gruff voice.

I wasn't familiar with the voice but when I heard the tone when it says my name, I can't help but hold my breath from expectation. Even though the voice is unfamiliar but with that tone when he spoke my name I know in my heart who it is.

I look at the person who called me and there he is. The one I've been longing to see my entire life. "Charlie," I uttered not even bothering to hold the sound of longingness when I called him out. I didn't even stop myself from standing up and hugging him.

I'm a failure. For 10 years I thought I got myself to stop what I'm feeling for him. I even thought I moved on and can look at him formally. But the shield I built around me crumbled with just one call from him.

Now, I wonder if I can face the fact that he's already a family man. Thoughts of his wife and maybe a child waiting for him at home, those thoughts forced me to let go of the hug that I initiated.

"I can't believe it. I thought I would never see you again."

I let out a small laugh when I heard that. "With the uniform, you're wearing you probably know that your new colleague is Mir. And where Mir is I always follow."

He shakes his head with that lopsided grin plastered from his lips. "Mir will always be Mir." He uttered with a sigh. "She didn't inform me that you came back with her."

"As always," I muttered.

"You look wonderful, Maya." I couldn't stop the heat that came to my face when I heard his compliment to me.

I may be in my early 30's now but with my looks and how I carry myself, people tend to say that I don't look like it. They always thought that I'm still in my mid 20's or even a little younger than that. It even went so far that half of the guys who try to hit on me are so much younger than me because they thought we're the same age. That gave me headaches for months by the way.

"And you look..." That's when I looked at him. And frowned with what came to my sight. He's only 2 years older than me but he looks so different from what he was 10 years ago.

10 years ago when I went back and looked for him he was healthy, his body was buff and he looks taller compare to now. His face is gaunt and his body thinned out. "Aged... and sad. Why are you sad? What happened?" I asked full of worries.

What happened? Shouldn't he be happy and healthy? Isn't he being cared for or something?

When I saw him sighed and looked forlorn my heart aches for him.

"I would love to talk it all out with you Maya but this isn't the time and place." He said. "We can get back to that later, for the meantime tell me what you are doing here when Mira is not even here."

I just sighed and accepted what he said because he's right. We couldn't talk about personal stuff in a public place. Furthermore, we're in the police station where ears and eyes are doubled. Gossip is like a second nature around here. Forks wouldn't be Forks without it.

I showed him the badge and phone that I hold. "Mir forgot these."

I relished the moment of hearing his laughter once again and smiled at the old friend I've missed so much.

"Only Mir could forget his badge of all things." And with that, I laugh with him like the old times. Like there weren't many years that passed us without meeting and talking with each other. The friendship was still there and it's comforting to know that no restraints and awkwardness are hindering us from talking and laughing again together.

"Just so you know, Chief, I am special like that."

Both of us looked at where the voice came from. And there, walking towards us with all her glory, my wonderful (but forgetful) sister.

"Here you go," I told her and gave her her badge and phone.

"I don't want to say you're a lifesaver because I went to the house and got tired of looking for nothing," she complained. "but okay, you're a lifesaver."

I rolled my eyes at her when she hugged and kissed me after that.

"I should buy you some memory vitamins. Maybe it'll work and will help you in the long run." I said blandly.

"Hey! It's not my fault that I got excited to get back to work and left without checking my stuff. I thought I had it in my pocket but nada!"

"I still don't know how you got to complete a case with your forgetfulness, Mir. It's truly a mystery on its own." I uttered shaking my head.

"You make it sound so bad, Maya." She pouted.

"Because it is," I said bluntly. "Don't try me, Mir. We both know if I start telling stories about it your higher-ups may or may not just confiscate your gun and strip you of your badge."

"Should I be worried, Maya?" Asked Charlie while looking at both of us but more so towards Mir with a much more scrutinizing look.

"Nope! Na-ah. Nothing to worry about." Mir said trying to look innocent but of course, failing to be one.

Because Mir keeps calling Charlie Chief that just means Charlie holds the highest authority around the station. Charlie is Mir's Boss so it isn't questionable if he looked her up to know that she still has the mischief she has before they left.

Charlie just gave her a look that says 'I hope so' before he looks at me.

"Well, it was nice seeing you again, Maya. I would love to stay a lot longer and chat but duty calls. I still have a lot of cases to handle." Though I heard a tinge of hesitance he looks determined and firm to let go of our meeting in the meantime.

I smiled at him to assure him that I understand. "It's okay, Charlie. I'm also going to head back home now. And if you're free just give me a call or just look for me at home. Don't be a stranger."

"Noted, Ma'am." He said grinning and tip his hat at me before he went and get back to his office.

"Okay, he's gone. If you don't want your little secret to be found out then go home now. There are eyes and ears around you." Mir said teasingly.

"Yeah, yeah. See you at home."

"Okay, Little Maya. See you. Mwah."