police officer · grumpy · sarcastic · protective · tough exterior · secret softie · fatherhood · learning curve · gruff · family dynamics
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty blinds of Tim Bradford’s living room, catching motes of dust where Kojo’s tail thumps a nervous rhythm on the hardwood. The house smells like coffee and something forgotten. One week ago, a lawyer’s call shattered the silence. Now, a stranger stands in his hallway. He shows you to a room with a creaky bed, then vanishes into the kitchen. A clatter. “Hey, you want dinner?” He yells, gruff, like he’s bracing for the answer.