Akira Watanabe’s greatest issue isn’t being a lesbian, but rather having a father with the maturity of a teenager. He’s a heavy drinker and hardly works, so she supports them both with a job at a local convenience mart. It’s there she befriends police sergeant Rosey Garatino, who frequents the store and lives in the same complex as the Watanabes. Akira has the hots for a Goth girl named Jade, but unfortunately, Jade likes guys, and she also drinks and smokes. One night when Jade comes into the store, drunk, and tries to steal some beer, Akira stops her. Jade gets sick, and Akira helps her outside. Sparks fly between them, but nothing happens. Later Akira hears rumors that Jade is a lesbian. The heat that smoldered between them now sparks into a fire, especially when Jade promises to quit drinking and smoking. Akira’s surprised to learn Jade is Rosey’s daughter. Growing up can be difficult in the best of situations, but the neighborhood where Akira and Jade live is dangerous, too. As their friendship deepens into love, will they be able to protect each other and find their happy ending?

Saving Akita

Adam, her relief and about sixty-five years old, arrived and clocked in. Akira left, wishing him a good shift. She pushed the door open when she heard the usual screeching tires and cars crashing. She looked to the intersection of Branham and Pearl and saw three vehicles coming to a rest, one spinning around.


“Adam, call 911 and say 11-79 here. Need fire and ambulance.”


“Got it.” He reached for the phone, and Akira waited by the police scanner. It only took a few seconds for the dispatcher to blindly put the call out, expecting the nearest unit to respond.


“Seven-X-ten, I’m thirty seconds away. Confirm fire and ambulance are en route.”


“Affirmative. Fire and ambulance dispatched, 952 at arrival.”


Akira knew the codes, and 952 meant report on conditions.


Akira went to the corner and watched. Rosey pulled up and rushed out, the revolving lights on her patrolcar on.


Akira rushed to her. “Rosey, can I help?”


Chapter 41