22.7 First Day Jitters

Eliza’s mind wandered at dinner. Wednesdays were normally her off days, but she went into the office for a few hours to make sure everything was in order, sign papers, and take care of all the official handover procedures so she could hit the ground running on her first official day as Chief Eliza Pancakes. She prepared for this. She was born for this! Still, nerves got the best of her. What if old Eliza returned? She made some serious resolutions, and life was supposed to be different now. What if she couldn’t escape from the clutches of the power monster still lurking inside?

Robert’s escalated voice pulled her back into the present. The way he threw up his hands when he had so many things to say, metering his words with his eyes closed … Something about it was such a turn despite how weird and twisted that sounded. She could never take pleasure in seeing him so frustrated, but something about it did it for her. They were both stressed. Maybe later he’d want to expend some of that energy. A distraction was just what she needed. She had been so deep in thought and hadn’t noticed what upset him so.

Apparently, when the girls went off to school that morning, Lily snuck back inside to get her bear costume. Naturally, Lexi recanted all the events of the day for her soft-spoken twin. Robert tried to encourage her, but she sat there staring at them through those creepy, glass eyes. Why did she have to wear it in the house?

The next morning, Chief Pancakes stood outside the precinct gathering her nerves and quelling the excitement. It was natural to be excited, but she could not let them see her grinning like a blushing teenager. She was in charge–the boss of all bosses–and needed to show the world she was not a pansy who let emotions rule. She stood for truth and justice and would fight for the safety of all people.

Sucking in a long, satisfying breath, she turned around, held her head high, and marched inside.

“There she is! Chief Pancakes is in the building, y’all,” Officer Escamila yelled.

Hopefully her cheeks weren’t glowing. People usually didn’t celebrate her. Everyone’s excitement was so foreign. “Good morning! You’re too kind.”

It occurred to her she probably should have prepared something to say to her subordinates. After all, it was a new day, and things would be different. Just before entering the office area, ex-Chief Banjeree walked out. Why? Did he arrive early to speak to the team? Did he aim to foil her success again? Why didn’t he sign all the paperwork and say goodbye before he left yesterday?

He grinned awkwardly and slowed his pace before stopping in front of her. His weight shifted and eyes danced all over the floor, walls, and ceiling. Finally, he extended his hand. “I’ll be pulling for ya, Chief.”

She shook his hand hesitantly. “Thank you, Arjun.”

Hurriedly, she walked into the office and was startled by enthusiastic applause.

“Oh, heavens!”

The crowd hooted and hollered, chanted her name, and flooded her heart with so much joy.

“Please … All of this isn’t necessary.”

Still, they cheered. “Pancakes! Pancakes! Pancakes!”

She raised her hands to calm the optimistic crowd. They were too much. “Thank you. I appreciate your enthusiasm. This day …”

It was so hard not to cry. She cleared her throat. “This day has been in my mind for quite some time. I am honored to be of service to you and the peoples of the surrounding cities. Let us not allow our celebrations to interfere with our duty. We must march forward in strength and integrity, and give the people a police department of which they can be proud.”

The applause erupted again.

“Thank you!” She laughed. “Let’s get back to work.”

Eliza turned around and entered her new office, inhaling the rare air. Not many got the opportunity to fill their lungs with such honorable freshness. She sat and melted into the plush leather. Keeping it together was so hard. She needed to get to work quickly.

A few adoring fans barged in, however. Hopefully their boldness was related to the oddness of the morning and not their level of respect. She wasn’t aware they liked her that much and wanted to maintain their trust. Telling them to knock in the future could shift things.

Det. Romeo led the way and sat in the guest chair. “Officer Arnav is retiring today. We’re all going to get drinks after work. Maybe you can come too, Chief. We could throw a couple back in your honor.”

“Oh! Is it that time already, Arnav? Congratulations!”

“I’ve been waiting to see you get here,” the elder officer said. “Now I can go on.”

She wasn’t sure how much more sweetness she could take. Mushy Eliza longed to come out and show herself to everyone, but Chief Pancakes would not have it. “I appreciate your support. All of you. I will pass on the drink, but please have two for me.”

Surely the press would be lurking around to see how she celebrated. The last thing she needed was a picture of her with a silly grin and drink in hand to be front page news. Keeping a low profile for a while was a smart move. Purchasing a new home so soon after her appointment was suspicious enough. The people may grow concerned about how their tax money was spent.

“Chief Pancakes,” Officer Escamila said, “can I sit in your chair for a second? I just want to know what if feels like.”

She gladly hopped up from the desk. “By all means!”

That moment made her realize that this was not only a new era for the people but also for the police force as well. If Eliza felt oppressed by the former Chief, surely others did too. No wonder they celebrated her so joyously. Perhaps no one associated with her previously for fear of the ex-Chief targeting them as well. Only Det. Romeo showed himself brave enough to openly support and befriend her.

“My door will always be open to my team. I often feel like this position is a calling, but it really is just a job. A job any of you may have if you work hard enough. I look forward to one day passing the torch to hopefully one of you.”

She didn’t do it intentionally, but she looked at Det. Romeo when she said that. He seemed a bit surprised and elated. Hopefully he didn’t think much of it.

“Thanks, Chief,” Escamila said. “Thanks for letting us come in here.”

“It’s always a pleasure.”

Escamila, Arnav, and Stovall left, and Romeo remained. Something strange brewed inside. It wasn’t discomfort. Maybe more akin to anxiousness. She cleared her throat and attempted to get back to business. “Is something on your mind, Detective?”

She called some of the other officers by their first names but couldn’t bring herself to call him Sergio. “Detective Romeo” was even worse. Things needed to remain professional between them because although she wasn’t able to identify what type of work relationship they had, it certainly wasn’t normal.

“Can you really see me as the Chief someday?”

Oh brother. Quite honestly, she couldn’t see him as the Chief and still didn’t know how he made it to Detective, but she couldn’t tell him that. She found it hard to say anything constructive to him. Especially that day.

“I think…” She cleared her throat. “If you can see yourself as the Chief, it doesn’t matter what I or anyone else thinks.”

He nodded. “I think I’d like to be Chief. I’m gonna learn from you and be your shadow until I make it!”

Oy…