Her Other Job

Rikki sat behind her desk, neatly stacked case files forming small towers of responsibility around her. A motivational poster on the wall declared, "Your past does not define your future."

Across from her, Devin Hawkins fidgeted in his chair. His muscled frame was tense, fingers drumming anxiously against his jeans. He was only twenty years old but had already been sent to prison. Despite that, Rikki believed he was a good kid and was more a victim than anything else. She saw the potential in him and knew he was more than just another criminal.

That’s why she chose to become a parole officer. This way she could do more than stop crimes and supervillains. She could actually help people reintegrate to society and work towards a better future.

"How’s the job search going, Devin?" Rikki asked, her tone firm but not unkind.

He scoffed. "Same as last week. Nowhere hiring someone with a record."

Rikki leaned forward slightly. "I spoke with the manager at Jensen’s Auto. He said you never even showed up for the interview."

Devin stiffened. His foot tapped against the floor. "Yeah, well… didn’t seem worth it."

She studied him carefully. "Didn’t seem worth it, or you got cold feet?"

His jaw clenched. "You don’t get it. I walk in there, they take one look at me, and it’s over."

Rikki exhaled through her nose, nodding slowly.

"I do get it, Devin. But you have a choice, fight for your future or fall back into old habits." Devin rubbed a hand over his face, the weight of his past pressing down on him. Her voice softened. "Look, I know it’s hard but I vouched for you. I can organize one more interview with them but if you don’t show up, I won’t be able to do it again."

He muttered something under his breath, then finally sighed. "Yeah. Okay."

She nodded, making a note in his file. "Good. Now, let’s talk about that curfew violation from last week." Devin’s body tensed again, his shoulders drawing up like a man bracing for impact.

"It was a misunderstanding," Devin said quickly, his voice edged with frustration.

Rikki arched a brow. "You were caught outside a bar at one-thirty in the morning. That’s well past your curfew."

He let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "I wasn’t drinking. I swear. I was just giving a friend a ride."

"A friend?" She tilted her head, skepticism creeping into her tone. "Who?"

Devin hesitated. "Does it matter?"

"It does when your parole conditions are on the line," she countered. "If you’re caught violating again, you know what happens. You go back inside."

He smirked at her. "Come on, you’ll give me a second chance, won’t you?”

“I’ve already given you like fifty second chances Devin”

“I know. But I wasn’t doing anything wrong."

Silence filled the room, Rikki studied him, searching for the truth beneath the defensiveness. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms.

"You’re a good kid, you have potential. I don’t want you to waste it. I’m giving you another chance. But this is the last one Devin, I’m serious. If I see your name on another violation report, I won’t be able to help you."

Devin nodded, smiling at her. "You’re the best."

"Good." She closed his file. "Now go. And show up for that interview this time."

He stood, shoving his hands into his pockets. As he turned toward the door, he hesitated, glancing back. "Thanks, Ms. Drakeson."

“You’re welcome, Devin,” She replied as she watched him walk out, hoping he’d make the right choice.

The moment he was gone, her office door swung open again.

"Well, damn. Who was that?"

Rikki sighed and looked up to see Laura Bishop, her best friend since college, leaning against the doorway with an amused smirk. Laura had the effortless confidence of someone who didn’t take things too seriously, except for the important stuff, like making sure Rikki actually had a life outside of work.

"Devin Hawkins. One of my parolees," Rikki replied, rubbing her temple. "And before you say anything—"

"Oh, I’m already saying it. That man is fine," Laura interrupted, stepping into the office and plopping down in the chair Devin had just vacated. "I mean, rough around the edges, sure, but come on. Those eyes? That jawline? A little danger never hurt anybody."

Rikki shot her a deadpan look. "You do remember my job is literally keeping him out of danger, right?"

Laura waved her off. "I’m just saying, if he ever gets his act together…" She trailed off with a teasing grin.

Rikki rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smirk tugging at her lips. "You have the worst taste. He’s twenty years old."

"Oh, I have excellent taste. You just refuse to acknowledge it." Laura leaned forward. "But seriously, what’s his deal? You think he’s got a shot at staying clean?"

Rikki’s smirk faded as she glanced at the door. "I don’t know yet. I want to believe he does. But I’ve seen too many like him fall back into old patterns."

Laura studied her for a moment, then grinned. "Still, you can admit he’s hot, right? Like, objectively speaking."

Rikki hesitated and then sighed. "Fine. Objectively speaking, yes, he’s attractive."

Laura laughed, nudging Rikki’s arm. "See? That wasn’t so hard! Bet you’re picturing him shirtless right now."

Rikki groaned. "Get out of my office."

“Love to. Come on, I’m taking you to lunch.”