MichaelS36

Crazy weather, indeed. Nice quickie poem, shame the snow storm wasn't so quick.

I will Reader, thank you. he just needs a couple of days under his rock. I will pass that along to him.

Thank you. I'll pass that along to him.

I thought I'd pop in and let you know tim isn't feeling all that well, so likely won't be around too much. Hope you are all well and stay that way. Take care.

you make sadness a thing of beauty

I appreciate this, but I am no longer a police officer, though I work with them in a civilian role. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the job at times.

Not so sure I agree. Telling those kinds of secrets ... well it's rather akin to 'coming out' or explaining your alternative lifestyle to people who are shut down, and closed-minded. It's not easy or desirable. Now you want me to tell you I have superpowers. No thanks. I'll keep that to myself and one other in this case.

Serving your country either in the services or police is a privilege and an honour. Frankly, by offering your life if necessary. We are bound to and by those rules. People who have not served don't normally understand what these jobs involve and demand. We are brothers/sisters in arms. I still carry those beliefs with me and always will.

Well, no, none of it is. One would have to ask, what would happen if I told the truth? Of course, he cannot and still perform his duty. This is a horrible position to be in. I think had I been in it, I'd have done nothing different to what Jamie has done. My duty is to serve and protect...If lying, deflecting etc. helps me to protect my principal and most likely save the public, I'd do the same.

Perhaps I've missed something or am not understanding you. Who has Jamie disclosed anything to other than Morris-Walker? M-W is the principal Jamie is protecting. Jamie would have to discuss the situation with M-W. Jamie would not discuss with his friends, other police officers, or his family and normally that would include your spouse. How has Jamie, given the above, not followed the guidelines?

It's obvious, but Jamie is a police officer, now a Protection Officer. He cannot divulge whatever he feels like saying, not even to family. Police are bound by certain guidelines and legal boundaries with respect to what they tell civilians. @lawfulneutralmage may be able to explain how that may pertain to "special constables". I'm English by birth, but was not a police officer in that country.

I cannot agree with you more! Police officers are under immense pressure. It comes from ourselves (our morals and belief systems), the job, our bosses, and the public. I worked traffic, became a detective and then worked in the Child Exploitation Unit. After several years there, I'd started to change and not for the better. I chose to leave to save myself from going the way I'd seen others end up. It's a necessary but horrible job. It's not hard to understand why some take what we'd call the wrong path. If I'd had the benefit of foresight, I'd have stayed in traffic. Jamie is going through something similar. He has his own belief in right and wrong, the rules of his job and what the public say about the police. He's being tested, and hopefully he'll find the strength he needs.

I'd try the veggie burger if you make one. It's a known fact I'll eat just about anything. And I'll admit the beef and bean burgers tasted just like all meat burgers to me. I'll try anything once as you know. I did really enjoy the chickpea, spinach and potato stew you made which was meatless. It didn't need more. While I enjoy meat, I can see the benefit of meatless meals now and again. Luckily, I enjoy vegetables of nearly any kind.

You speak to me as if I cook! I don't, tim does and he looks after me and Daniel very well. I suppose we could have a long discussion about meat but no one will likely change my mind, nor will I attempt to change yours. Enjoy!

Where's the meat? Sorry, large carnivore here, lol. Still not a huge fan of tofu, but as a diabetic I see its benefits (tim told me to write that). Supposedly, there are benefits. I trust him. Enjoy your food!

That is horrific. I'm sorry you went through that. My husband did also, forced out of his home at fifteen years old. My parents took the news in their stride. They said, "Be the man we brought you up to be." I'm grateful to them and I hope I did as they asked. If you can be 'out' safely, do it proudly. The more we're seen, the more accepted we'll become.

I wrote about this in a comment in the previous chapter. Jamie is still the man you thought he was. But he is in an impossible situation. The job often puts us in those positions. Jamie's job is to protect .. while he's had that training, they seemed to forget about the paranormal portion of the course. How is any right-minded person supposed to deal with all of this? Drugs are really not the answer, either is alcohol, but I can understand what Jamie's done. And obviously, he completely trusts that Mike is a solid thing in his life. He trusts Mike fully and admits later it wasn't the best of choices. We're human, we make dumb decisions sometimes. All of us.

Lots of comments here for this chapter. Jamie's in a rough spot. He need to protect the minister at all costs and he's paying a huge price to do so. It's not simple or cut and dried being a police officer on any level. I've seen that myself. It's easy to sit and read or watch and judge from on high. It's not so easy when you are dragged through other humans' mess and lives and you need to sort it out. Or you need to protect the principal. You're showing this to us very well. I don't suppose it's going to get any easier.

Can't agree more. An excellent film.

It pleases me that you're seeing balance in your life and emotions. You often resided at one extreme or the other. That you feel that perhaps you find comfort in the middle of the two is a wonderful thing. Keep investigating what options you have and what feels right for you. I don't believe there is a single answer, so stay open to what may be of help. xoxo M

All I can say, I've said. But you don't need to hear more from me. I am always willing to hear you. Reach out as and when you want or need to. Be patient and kind with yourself.

Two wonderful poems! I'm so pleased you've posted them.

tim has 8 books of poetry on GA ... I hope you choose to read more of his work. Regards.

I'd have to say, tim hasn't made me much I haven't enjoyed. he's a good cook and a great baker. he looks after me very well. Cupcakes are nice and a good way to eat cake without eating too much of it. I'm glad you enjoyed them. Tofu stew. Not a big fan of tofu, but if you served me some, I'd eat it. You never know unless your try things.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday.