This is the life of a Police Wife: a short story

There’s a dim light coming from under the bathroom door and the sound of a running shower.  I roll over, check the clock—3:47 am.  It’s Saturday.  Yes!  I think to myself.  I might get a few extra minutes of shut eye before the kids wake me up.  I doze back off, waking up to a sweet kiss on the cheek and an “I love you” from my LEO (law enforcement officer).  The door clicks and locks. I look at the clock—4:01 am—and drift back off to sleep.

I’m awake!  The Superman theme song ringing loud from my phone—it’s my LEO.  It’s still dark. What time is it?!  I answer—feeling groggy and unsure of what is happening.

“Hello?” I say, glancing at the clock—4:32 am. 

“There’s an active shooter", he says. “An officer was shot.  I am on my way there now.  I will call you when I know something.”

Did I misunderstand?  I’m so confused.  “An officer was shot?”

“Yes, I will call you when I know something.”

And silence…as the empty, nauseous feeling enters my stomach.  Worry sets in.  The unknowns, the what-if’s, the waiting for a call back. I know the drill. I’ve been here before. But I can’t predict how it will end.  And the awful thoughts of vigils… and funerals… and processions…quickly fill my memory.  

I’m now wide awake, the clock staring back at me—4:46 am.  I send off a quick text: “Please be careful.  I love you.” 

My mind wanders.  Should I get up?  Make coffee?  Watch the news?  No.  That won’t help.  I decide to pray…for my LEO, his fellow officers, for our police family.  I pray for their safety.  But most of all I pray they are all alive at the end of this stand-off. 

And then I wait…

6:57 am—I finally get a text, “It’s over”. 

Oh thank you, Lord!  My heart is racing.  I take a deep breath.  I feel so relieved.  I pray again, thanking God for taking care of them and asking for His presence as the officer undergoes surgery. 

Then, I slowly drift back off to sleep.