Chapter 69

Nick

As I pull my patrol car up to the house, I glance down at the time. This is my first day back on duty, and I know there's something I have to do. This house? It's held me back in so many ways. Each time I would move forward, it would pull me back, not allowing me to be the man I wanted to be.

Getting out, I slowly walk up to the front door, knocking twice before stepping back and waiting for someone to answer. When a woman with a small baby in her arms comes to the door, I give her my best smile.

"Hi, I'm Nick…"

"Cooper," she finishes. "You used to live here. I'm Colleen, I used to live over there." She points to another house farther down the block.

I vaguely remember her riding her bike with me when she was younger. "I remember."

"Yeah." She smiles this time a little sad. "My son and I, we moved here after he was born. Divorce," she says quietly.

"I'm not here to judge anyone, I was just wondering if I could look at my old room."

Anyone else except her would p