One
Lucas
A lone tear fell down my cheek as I saluted. Nothing but the sound of the bagpipes playing could be heard as yet another casket with the Chicago flag draped over it was carried out of the funeral home and respectfully placed in a hearse. This was the fifth Line of Duty Death funeral within two months.
Although every officer down felt like the loss of a family member, this death hit closer to home. Lieutenant Perez was my mentor as I progressed in my career and my mentor in Christ. When we met, I was in a dark place; he recognized that and invited me to church and his Bible study group. He was with me through every step of my walk with Christ, even baptizing me and continuing to mentor me afterward. Every day, I thank God for providing me with such a mentor.
Once the hearse slowly drove off, we all got into our SUVs, turning on our lights and sirens as we followed. Once we arrived at the church, we exited our vehicles and saluted as Perez’s casket was carried into the church. We waited outside as it was a small church, and not all of us would fit inside. Although we were all silent, we mourned together.
I headed home after giving my condolences at the burial. Perez’s family invited me for dinner, but I politely declined; I didn’t want to impose on them. As I changed out of my uniform, my phone began to ring. Seeing it was my mother, I cringed and was tempted not to answer. Still, I remembered Perez telling me to extend grace and show the love of Christ, even if my parents and I weren’t on good terms.
“Hello?”
“Lucas, why aren’t you here yet?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t tell me you forgot about your father’s dinner party. This one is important!”
I frustratedly sighed. My father was a businessman, owning his own investment banking company. He played the role of a family man very well, so he always demanded I attend his events and support his act of being a loving father.
“Mom, I can’t go tonight,” I said as I sat on my couch.
“That is not an option. You need to be here within the hour.”
“Did you watch the news today? Did you see what was going on?”
“Yes, it was a police funeral, so what? That’s nothing new.”
That remark made my blood boil.
“Mom, I knew that cop!”
“I’m sorry for your loss, but that’s no excuse to miss your father’s dinner party. Be here within the hour.”
My mother hung up without letting me reply. I couldn’t believe how she could be so cold. Then again, she was a criminal defense attorney; her job was to be emotionless. That was always the issue with my parents: they could never separate their work from their home life. Eventually, their life revolved around work, leaving me as nothing more than an accessory they acknowledged when needed. Now that I’m grown, they reach out to me more than when I was a child, but that’s only so everyone can see what a fine young man they raised.
Not attending would only piss my mother off, so I begrudgingly washed up and dressed in my tuxedo. After ensuring I was squared away, I grabbed my car keys and headed out. As I stared at my Porsche, I shook my head. It was a gift for my seventeenth birthday. My parents tended to give me fancy gifts for birthdays and holidays to compensate for not being involved in my life. Nothing they bought me could make up for the love I needed. It turned me cold, and I fell so deep in a dark pit that I didn’t think I could make it. I cringed at the memory; I never wanted to go back there. Only by God’s grace did I make it out, and although His love is eternal and merciful, I didn’t want to push my luck.
I got into my Porsche and drove off. As I pulled in front of my parents’ exaggerated house, I parked along the curb so I wouldn’t be stuck in the driveway if I had to leave. I got out of my car and walked into the house.
“Lucas! Darling!” I heard my mother’s voice as soon as I stepped through the threshold.
She walked up to me and gave me a hug. Putting on a smile, I returned her hug and kissed her cheek as she pulled away.
“Lucas,” my father put a firm hand on my shoulder. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” I smiled before my dad pulled me in for a hug.
“Now this!” I heard one of my father’s business partners say. “Is the perfect picture of a father and son. How are you, Lucas?”
“I’m doing well, Mr. Mcnamara, thank you. How is business? Booming, I assume, since tax season is approaching.”
“Well, business is always booming, but yes, the workload has doubled. It will triple once tax season hits.”
“In that case, I suppose I should schedule an appointment.”
“Nonsense! I’ll do your and your parents’ taxes at a discount.”
“Thank you, Dan,” my father smiled. “That’s greatly appreciated.”
“It’s my pleasure. Excuse me, I’ve been away from the Mrs long enough.”
“Of course,” my father nodded.”
“Thank you, Lucas,” my mother said before sipping champagne.
“Of course,” I scoffed. “After all, that’s why you wanted me here.” I smiled at my parents and said, “You need me to charm everyone into giving you favors.”
Although my parents were good friends with many influential people, they couldn’t get free favors. Everyone here, including my parents, didn’t gain success by handing out favors or doing things for free, not even for their closest family members.
“We’re glad you came,” my father smiled. His face suddenly turned serious.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I’m sorry for your loss. So many officers have passed away recently; I understand the most recent one was your good friend?”
“More than that; he saved my life.”
Both my mother’s and father’s eyes grew wide.
“Well then, does he have any family?” My father asked.
“We’ll have to repay him somehow,” my mother added.
“He left behind a wife and three children.”
“We’ll set up a college fund for his children,” my mother immediately said.
“Darling,” my father nearly scolded. “We can do better than that.”
“Better than what?” Another one of my father’s business partners asked. I had to restrain myself from rolling my eyes; Mr. Chavez had always been a nosey prick; you couldn’t trust him with any information. The glint in my mother’s eyes suggested she was about to take advantage of that.
“The police officer whose funeral was today saved Lucas’ life.”
“Is that so?” Mr. Chavez turned to me.
“Yes,” I nodded. “He was a good friend.”
“Unfortunately,” my father cut in. “He left behind a widow and three beautiful children.”
“My goodness! Is there anything we can do for them?”
“Well, we’re setting up a college fund,” my mother nearly bragged, “but I’m sure his widow would appreciate any charity someone has to offer.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Mr. Chavez nodded.
“Please keep it low-key,” I practically begged. “This is a difficult time for the entire Chicago PD; we’re all one family, and it’s humiliating that not everyone can give.”
“Understandable,” Mr. Chavez nodded with sympathy before walking away.
My mother smirked at me and said, “Well played. Are you sure you don’t want to go into business with your father?”
“You’d be an excellent addition to our marketing team, Lucas,” my father said.
“No, thank you. I’m happy being a police officer.”
“If you say so,” my mother shrugged before drinking the rest of her champagne. “Now that we’ve done you a huge favor, I expect you’ll stay for the rest of the party.”
“Of course,” I nodded.
“Good,” my mother took my arm and led me across the room. “There are some cougars here that I need you to charm; they’re my biggest opponents in court, and I need them to back down and remember their place.”
“I think you missed your calling, Mom. You should’ve been a pimp.”
My mother whacked me on my head before introducing me to the district attorney and her assistant.
