It’s New Year’s Eve and I don’t have anywhere to go. My parents flew to Italy for a vacation that’s been years in the making. My sisters went with them, too. We would have invited you, but we know you’re busy with work and everything is the excuse that I got. It’s fine, I guess. I’ll just watch the ball drop, alone in my apartment with a six-pack and some chips and dip. I’ll probably pass out before midnight.

I walk into the precinct and drop my stuff onto my desk. Stretching, I release a loud groan.

“God, am I glad this year is almost over…” I mumble to no one in particular. A couple of people look up at me.