Some things always stay the same, and Detroit, Chicago was the same. The snow-stained streets still smelled like heavy gasoline with just a hint of wet dirt, while the buildings still appeared rugged and abandoned with windows shot out, chipped red brick, and rusted iron rooftops. Just for a moment, it felt like she was seventeen again, driving through the city; memories flooded in like a broken dam. As much as it felt like two large arms metaphorically wrapped around her in celebration of her return to her hometown, Olivia Friedman wished it was under different circumstances. It had been several, if not more, years since she had visited the large city, a mistake she truly regretted. There were too many memories still to be made, more tales she needed to hear, and a smell she wished she could have sniffed one last time.
Looking at the time, Olivia realized she was already late to the service, causing her right leg to become heavier against the gas pedal. Many wouldn't have expected the woman to show her history in the city and its residents, but this wasn't just any old lady who passed away; Evelyn Mercer saved her.
After Olivia's mother passed away at the tender age of seven, the husband and father took the loss very hard. As expected, he drowned himself in his carpentry business, leaving young Olivia to fend for herself. Many nights, the child would go to sleep hungry due to a lack of food, and she would go to school wearing the same unwashed clothing. Evelyn noticed this and quickly acted on it, offering to help care for the child since they were neighbors. But living with the grieving father was no picnic. He later turned into an unforgiving monster.
Finally finding a parking spot near the cemetery, Olivia's gaze found the large crowd attending the funeral, mourning the loss of one of their neighborhood's longest and kindest residents. She started toward the group, instantly recognizing those she grew up around. Many faces belonged to the children Evelyn helped move into foster and permanent homes. One of Evelyn Mercer's gifts was seeing the good in everyone and any situation – a trait Olivia wished she could have absorbed from the older woman. The four children Evelyn couldn't find homes for were invited into her own and raised like they were hers. Jack Mercer, Angel Mercer, Jeremiah Mercer, and Bobby Mercer were all well-known in the community for the wrongs they had done growing up. Of all of them, Bobby Mercer Olivia had been attracted to, naturally.
Olivia kept her gaze on the ground as she approached a nearby tree. It wasn't easy seeing everyone in such a manner. Death has always been an easy topic for the woman as she was introduced at such an early age; however, the death of Evelyn Mercer hit her harder than she had expected. Wanting to mourn separately, she stayed by the tree on a slight hill keeping her light eyes on Jack Mercer standing at the podium, giving his testimony about his adoptive mother.
Little Jackie had always been her favorite Mercer. Though he was the most troubled sibling, Olivia had admired how he pulled himself out of the spiraling darkness his childhood would have created without the support system he had helped him along the way, Olivia included. Even with Jack being eight years younger than Olivia, the two had grown up together and were basically glued at the hip. Because of their shared past, it had pained Olivia to watch Jackie standing at the podium, emotionally breaking down in front of the crowd.
Playing with the loose change in her coat pocket, the woman's eyes found Bobby Mercer joining his little brother at the podium to help him. "I was never really good with words, so thank you all for coming. There will be a reception at Jeremiah's house; you are all welcome to come." It took a few minutes before the crowd began to disperse, but her gaze was held by Detective Green, who had spotted her and stared in her direction.
Lieutenant Andre Green had been with the Detroit Police Department for a long time, first meeting the Mercers before becoming a cop. It didn't surprise Olivia that Green wasn't afflicted by her presence. However, his partner beside him intrigued the woman; something was off about him.
Noticing Green's movements toward her, Olivia lightly pushed herself from the tree and met the men halfway. The wind picked up as she walked, pulling her shoulder-length auburn curled hair in all directions. Moving a piece behind her ear, she placed a fake smile along her lips as Green neared. "Well, look who it is; I never thought I'd see you again," Green greeted, pulling Olivia into a tight hug. "It's nice to see you, Detective." Raising a brow, the woman looked toward Green, confused. "Do you think I wouldn't check up on you now and then?" Frustrated by this, Olivia pulled away from the man and placed her hands in her pockets; welcome home, Olivia.
"You know, Green, that can be considered stalking," Olivia taunted, causing Green to smile.
"Oh, I'm sorry; this is my partner Inspector Fowler. Fowler, this is New York Special Victims Detective Olivia Friedman." Shaking hands with Fowler was more out of politeness than respect; Olivia still didn't get a great vibe from him. "How long you gon' be in town?"
"I took two weeks off at the station."
"I still can't believe you, out of all people, made it to be a detective, let alone on my side of the System."
"I wanted a new life," she responded with a shrug. "And I knew I wouldn't get that in Detroit."
"So you moved to New York?"
"Green, I think you need a new hobby." And with that, Olivia turned on her heel and started toward her vehicle. Green's advanced knowledge about her life alerted her and, quite honestly, bothered her. Whether or not he was 'checking up on her' as he had said, Olivia didn't like his digging and hoped to convince him to end it later.
Approaching her vehicle, Olivia quickly took a scan of her surroundings. Looking at the same deep brown eyes, she used to love put her in a trance; she missed the way he stared back with the slight sparkle in his eye with adoration. But before he could move, Olivia threw open the door to her '10 black Nissan Acura and revved the engine. She could feel his stare still on her as she passed by him, her gaze glued to the streets ahead. Her actions irritated him, this she was sure, but she also knew he couldn't blame her for acting as such. The last time they had seen each other hadn't been a pleasant memory for Olivia.
After a long and hard day at work, it felt like a blessing to finally step through the doors, the doormat reading 'home sweet home.' She knew Bobby would be waiting inside with dinner in the microwave while doing pull-ups on the bedroom door frame with the help of his new Gold's Gym pull-up bar. And like pictured, as soon as Olivia opened the door, Bobby's toned body was being pulled up, making every muscle in his upper body flex. With a small and thankful smile to the Gods, she had such a hot man in her life; she walked over to the kitchen, setting down her purse on the kitchen counter. Taking one last glance over to Bobby, Olivia walked to the microwave expecting her dinner to be waiting; it was not.
"Uh, where's my food?" she asked, her irritation gradually rising. As if he hadn't heard her, Bobby continued robotically pulling himself up, letting out a few puffs of breath. "Bobby!" Finally, he stopped and dropped to his feet to find Olivia standing with her brow raised. "My food?"
"Oh right, I forgot." His words forced Olivia to roll her eyes as she walked into the bedroom without acknowledging him. "I'm sorry ... damn." Ignoring him, the woman began undressing, slipping herself into her nightgown. In doing so, Bobby took long strides across the room to wrap his arms around her waist. This infuriated the woman enough to lightly push him away before returning to the kitchen, needing something in her stomach before drifting off into dreamland. Angrily, Bobby followed. "I said I was sorry, Livy."
"I spend over twelve hours a day working my ass off trying to make ends meet for us to keep this apartment, the car, and food on the table while you sit on your ass and do nothing all day. I only ask if there would be food, a clean house, and a perfect daily escape from my job. And what do I get? Food hasn't been made for two weeks, this place looks like a tornado hit twice after a stampede of elephants destroyed it, and it's hard to turn your head away from the TV set."
"So I haven't done a few chores, sue me."
"No, Bobby, it's not just a few chores," Olivia explained. "You've gotten far too comfortable with me holding this place down on my own while you're doing only God knows what. After you got fired, you promised me you'd look for another job."
"I've been looking," he interrupted.
"The classifieds aren't behind your eyelids, Bobby!" Even Olivia was taken aback by the loudness of her voice as her hands dropped everything they were holding. "For two months, you've been feeding me the same fucking bullshit every day about you finding a job and saving me from working my damn ass off so that we have a decent income. Sixteen hours a day, Bobby Mercer, that's how much I work to keep our heads above water. I'm fucking tired of this." Finally, Olivia stopped, allowing her breathing to settle. Bobby, feeling defeated, had nothing to say, mostly because he knew everything she was saying was the truth. They stood in silence for what seemed like hours until Bobby finally broke the tension.
"I'm leaving." Olivia's face dropped as the man turned to pack his belongings. It wasn't her intention – her intention was to motivate him to find a job and live his life as it should be. Olivia only wanted him to see all of his wasted potentials. But instead of reaching out to inform him of her thoughts, Olivia's walls quickly built up again and allowed him to pack what little he owned and leave the residence.
"Good, I'm tired of supporting your ass and you being under-appreciative. I'm not your mother; if you want her, you know exactly where she is." Bobby turned to look at Olivia, the fire in his eyes evident, but he kept his mouth shut. While he finished stuffing his belongings in black trash bags, Olivia quietly made her food. But as the smell lingered, it began to make her feel nauseous.
"I'm leaving my phone here since it's yours." The woman didn't allow him to see the tears building up, her face turning red.
"As you should."
"Have a good life, Olivia." And with that, Bobby Mercer walked out the door, closing it loudly behind him. Olivia watched the wooden frame expecting a knock on the door and for him to cry back, apologizing and promising he'd change; neither happened. The knock on her door never came. The apologies were never spoken, and the love never returned.
Just like that, Olivia was left alone.