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Tim was put on leave after the shooting. He went and threw his stuff down and went and changed into a comfy shirt and shorts. He went and lied on his bed. He stared at the ceiling. Hands covering his eyes. He cried. He feels so guilty for killing that man. He reached over and texted Lucy.
Bradford: hey r u busy
Chen: no why
Bradford: I need you.
Chen: on my way
Tim sighed and saw Kojo jump on the bed. Kojo can feel when Tim is upset. He makes himself comfortable under Tim’s arm. Tim smiled and petted his favorite ball of fur. Lucy used the key Tim gave her and went in. She heard footsteps that sounded like Kojo’s paws on the hardwood. Kojo comes running and sits at Lucy’s feet.
“Hey boy where is daddy” Lucy asked as she pets him.
Kojo led her into Tim’s room. She sees Tim sleeping. She also sees he’s been crying. She goes over and moves a strain of his hair that was in his face. Kojo jumps back on the bed and rests his head on Tim’s legs. Tim stirs and wakes up to see Lucy.
“Hey” Lucy said.
“Hey” Tim said as he sits up.
“What’s up. You needed to see me” Lucy said sitting down.
“I can’t do it” Tim said in tears.
“Do what babe” Lucy said confused.
“This, the guilt is eating me alive” Tim said in a full-on sob.
“Babe, you had to. It was either you do it, or he would’ve shot you or himself. You saved a life. That was your own life you saved. You could be in the hospital, or worse dead. Tim, I don’t know what I’d do without out” Lucy said as she crawls next to him.
“Still, I know it wasn’t the first time”. Even in Iraq and Afghanistan. I watched people die constantly. This just feels different “Tim said softly in tears.
Lucy holds him and lets him cry until she gets an idea.
“Hey, why don’t we go get some fresh air. Take Kojo for a walk or run whatever you want to.” Lucy said looking at him.
“I’m in. Maybe getting out of the house will be good. Kojo, walk buddy” Tim said smiling.
Kojo barks and jumped down and went to the front door. Tim pulls a hoodie on and smiled. Tim realized his dog is the best thing that ever happen to him. Besides Lucy of course. Lucy smiled knowing she got him up, and he smiled. She got Kojo’s leash on and waited for Tim. Kojo sits and waits.
“Ready buddy” Tim said coming out of the bedroom.
Kojo barks and wags his tail. Tim smiled and took the leash from Lucy and takes her hand and leads her outside. Lucy locks up and followed Tim.
“Luce, this is what I needed” Tim said as they walk Kojo.
“See Tim, 3 weeks leave won’t be that bad” Lucy said holding onto his arm.
“You’re right” Tim said smiling.
They get to the dog park. Tim lets Kojo off his leash and watch him run around. Lucy and Tim sir and watch. Tim kisses Lucy and smiled.
“Thanks Chen, for being there for me” Tim said.
“Bradford, you got this. Ill swing by after work to make sure you’re ok” Lucy said.
Tim smiled and looked at Kojo who was done. Kojo jumps up between Lucy and Tim. Tim now knows that he can survive these next three weeks. Lucy looks up and kisses Tim nose. Tim kisses her on the lips. Lucy smiled and held him. Kojo wags his tail happy for his humans. The two looked at each other knowing that they are meant to be together.