Chapter 2
KEZ
“I’m a fan of Christmas, but this is too much spice. It’s enough to clear out the damn North Pole.” I groan after sneezing for the third time in two minutes and nearly spill my peppermint latte all over my uniform. “You can smell the cinnamon a mile away.”
“You should try my abuela’s horchata. At least you know where the department’s budget is going.
” Paige laughs enroute to the drink station and refills her Styrofoam cup with apple cider.
A sip later, her face scrunches, as she fights off a sneeze.
Her voice is strained when she speaks again.
“Kez, this party is so unnecessary. The mayor isn’t even here yet.
We should’ve just done the pairings in peace like usual. Not this PR stunt.”
“Are you about to miss a hot date or something?” I tease.
“Actually, I do have one this weekend. Don’t worry she’s not a police officer. If I wanted to deal with an insufferable pain in the ass, you’d have that covered, friend.”
“Since when do you have time for dating?” I whip around and spot the only other openly queer K-9 officer in the district. “Hey Brian, did you know that Paige has a date?”
He exaggerates a well-played gasp. “I didn’t know lesbian veterinarians talked to anyone other than cats.”
“Hey! That’s Lead K-9 Trainer to you.” She scoffs, “I date plenty. Thank you very much. Unlike Kez who only dates her job.” She grumbles underneath her breath loud enough for us to hear. “Ass.”
I burst with laughter as her cheeks redden.
I’ve been down the dating road plenty of times.
Not worth the heartbreak. I love Paige and I’s friendship about as much as I enjoy poking fun at our hopeless singleness.
My Everybody Needs a Butch Bestie t-shirt she gifted me for Christmas last year is proof.
Before I get a chance to respond, a yell from down the hallway catches my attention.
“And last but not least. Langston! You have a visitor.” Chief waves her arm in my direction, her usual serious demeanor suddenly cracks with a grin. “I think you might like this one. She’s a cutie.”
Applause echoes through the hallway. My turn to finally meet my canine partner.
“Congratulations, Kez!” Paige bumps my shoulder with hers. “This is only the beginning of the next chapter of your already amazing career. See you there.”
I finish my peppermint latte and toss the cup in the bin.
In my peripheral view, I glimpse the Hall of Heroes photo of dad and Duke beside the plaque on the wall.
My chest swells with pride as I thumb Duke’s K-9 silver pendant attached to my necklace.
Dad gave it to me the day I told him I wanted to join the academy.
For a moment, I take it all in. Following in my dad’s footsteps was a dream I’d never thought would become a reality.
My mind travels to an image of my new four-legged fighter in action by my side.
Athletic. Ears perked, ready to conquer any mission.
Her jet-black coat shining. I often think about continuing the tradition of relaxing after patrol on K-9 Appreciation Day, both of us devouring our respective ice creams. The view from the new cabin is breathtaking.
I look forward to seeing her wear our family’s passed down K-9 pendant. A new Langston tradition is born.
Chief gives me the “good work, kid” look when I approach, then passes me a small Santa Hat the size of my hand.
I thumb the gold letters stitched against the brim.
Ember. A perfect name. A new beginning indeed.
Who needs love when you have true companionship?
Today is the day life finally makes sense.
Only took thirty-six years on this planet, but here we are.
Nothing can ruin this day. This is what matters. Not the past. Not her.
“Thanks, Chief.” I can’t help my smile. Excitement radiates through me, taking me back to when I was a child the night before Christmas.
I tap elbows with Chief, a move I’d watched her and my dad do countless times. Shannon knows what this day means to me. She’s known me for so long. Years before she was appointed our first Black woman police Chief. Years before dad and Duke retired.
When I enter the training room, festive chatter echoes throughout.
Squeaky holiday-themed dog toys litter the floor.
Upbeat Christmas music softly plays in the background.
I scan around at all the smiling faces: my colleagues and the trainers, the adorable German shepherd puppies wearing Santa hats and reindeer ears.
Chief guides me toward the small room on the right.
I greet Paige and thank her for sharing this moment with me.
Shifting my attention, I crouch down as she opens Ember’s small cage, barely able to contain the excitement coursing through me from the anticipation. My tiny hero leaps out.
Wait a minute.
My face drops. That isn’t a K-9 dog.
Three days have passed since Ember was assigned to me and it’s been three days too damn many.
Standing outside the Chief's office, I rehearse my words for the tenth time. Everyone knows not to disturb her before her 8AM coffee unless it’s life or death.
But this is life or death. I refuse to rely on a stubby corgi to save my career.
Hell, she’d eat my bacon before she’d ever save it.
I peer down at the puppy, barely big enough to fit into her vest. Those absurdly large ears are cute as hell, but still.
Her smooth coat is red, tan, and white. Observing the reddish streak like an ember over her right eye, I see where she got her name.
Excited, she sticks out her tongue, tail wagging hard enough that her entire body shakes.
“Of course, I got the fire-starter,” I mutter.
This has to be some type of prank. A police dog with zero discipline and a sock fetish. Time to end this charade. I tap a knuckle against Chief’s door. By her tone when she tells me to enter, I already know the odds aren’t in my favor.
Three steps in, I’m already talking. “Chief. This isn’t going to work. I need a new dog.”
She looks up from her computer screen. “I’m confused. Ember passes all the qualifications.”
Like hell.
Chief’s the shortest person in the building, but the most respected. Mostly for her unique way of reading people. She studies me as I search my brain for the right words. “Langston, what’s this really about?”
Based on the exasperated look I’m receiving, backtracking is my only chance to not get my ass handed to me. I take the foolish route. “It’s not like I was expecting Cujo, but a dog that doesn’t make me the laughingstock of the force would’ve been nice.”
She yanks her head back. “Laughingstock? You’re the talk of the entire state of North Carolina.
Hundreds of magazines want interviews with you and the country’s first K-9 Corgi.
Influencers are keeping our social media manager plenty busy.
Apparently, a lot of women wish they were sitting cozy on Mistletoe Mountain with you. ”
My jaw tightens. “I was expecting something more traditional.” More Honorable?
My eyes drift to the crew photo on her desk. Dad and Duke are at the end, standing proud in aviator sunglasses. This dog is no Duke.
The room stills. Chief’s eyes follows my gaze toward the photo and her expression softens. “Your father would be proud of you. You’re just like him. Same athletic build. Same adventure chasing.” She compresses her lips. “Same stubborn mouth.”
I flash a weak grin. “Is it working?”
“Look, Kezia.” She removes her glasses and gently places them on her desk.
The thing she does before speaking candidly.
Hands folded, she leans forward. “Paige told me you might push back when we assigned Ember to you. I’m going to tell you the same thing I told her: Too damn bad.
You might not see it yet, but this is a great match for you.
Every dog gets thoroughly vetted. Besides, you’re like a niece to me, but I can’t go making special favors for you. ”
Ember strains against the leash, determined to investigate the trash bin. I unlock the carabiner and watch her waddle toward Chief’s feet.
“I understand, but—”
Chief raises a palm. She sets Ember on her lap. “Unless the dog isn’t fit for duty or proves incompatible with the handler—which requires you to give this bond a fair shake—the pup stays.”
Ember raises her paw at the word ‘shake,’ tiny nub tail spinning. Of course, Chief lights up and praises her.
The office phone rings. She hangs up seconds later. “Speaking of the town. You and Ember have an interview in five. A woman named Clara is waiting in the lobby.”
She coos at the puppy once more. Ember’s ability to brighten even Chief this early on a Monday is a superpower, I admit.
She sets Ember down and the steel demeanor returns.
“Next year, you’ll be starring in the parade, not working it.
Even the FBI tapped you and Ember for training opportunities.
Count your blessings, kid.” She slides her glasses on.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I need coffee and peace and quiet before my meeting with the City Council. ”
The message is clear.
I scoop Ember in my arms as if she were a pile of newspapers, instead of the fluffy terminator I had dreamed of and exit.
Time for my back-up plan. I head to Paige’s office.
She’s the lead trainer, and an ex-veterinarian.
Chief will listen to her medical expertise, proving the dog isn’t fit for duty. Well, unfit for me.
Then I remember someone’s waiting in the lobby. Clara McAllister. World record holder for the longest grudge.