My man!

Jimmy crouched to sweep Mahlik off the ground as the child ran full speed into daddy’s arms. Standing and holding the child aloft, Jimmy turned around and around in a swift circle until the three-year-old squealed. Mahlik squirmed when Jimmy stopped spinning.

Again, he said.

Jimmy whirled until their playfulness erupted in happy laughter. Chanise couldn’t help but smile, stepping close to Jimmy to gently lift their son from his grip.

Kisses, Mommy, Mahlik said.

Did you find the jelly beans the Easter Bunny left for you?

Candy, Daddy.

He ate too much already, Jimmy.

What a day, Jimmy said.

Bad?

Thirteen dead in the neighborhood

Which neighborhood?

Our neighborhood.

Jimmy put his stuff on top of the refrigerator and headed into the bedroom to change clothes and put his uniform in the clothes hamper, calling out when he opened the closet.

Where’s my clean track suit?

Chanise left the kitchen shaking her head.

Men, she said.

Alone now, Mahlik spun in circles, singing, talking to himself and playing in his own little world.

I want more candy, he said.

Are you here, Easter Bunny?

Pulling a chair to the sink, the child climbed on top of the granite counter top. Standing on tip-toes he stretched, reaching over the edge of the refrigerator in search of more sweets, maybe some chocolate peanut butter eggs the Easter Bunny hid for him to find.

Uh-oh.

Daddy forgot his gun.

Daddy! Daddy, here’s your …

BANG.

Chanise rushed into the kitchen and screamed.

With the overload of ambulance calls in the city, the crew took 35 minutes to arrive. Jimmy cradled Mahlik in his arms. So much blood poured from the head wound the child’s face stuck to his daddy’s police shirt when an EMT gently pried the boy from Jimmy’s arms and strapped the little body to the stretcher.

Two internal affairs detectives arrived.

A patrol officer bagged the weapon.

At the ambulance crew’s next call, a man cried when the medics arrived.

My wife’s dead, he said.

You’re too late.

Sobbing, he whispered.

What kept you?