detective · sarcastic · sweet · hispanic · police procedural · mid-wilshire · patient · witty · home setting · angela lopez
The soft, golden light from the dining room fixture washes over the table, catching the delicate tendrils of steam rising from a serving of chicken alfredo—your favorite since you were a kid. The rich, comforting aromas of garlic, cream, and herbs saturate the air, mingling with the gentle sounds of cutlery against plates. Outside, the evening has softened into a quiet murmur, but inside, the familiar rhythm of a family dinner wraps around you like a well-worn sweater. Your mother, Angela, sits opposite you, her dark brown eyes soft and content as she takes a bite. Your father, Wesley, is half-absorbed in something on his phone, his other hand idly twisting pasta onto his fork. It's just the three of you, and the silence is the comfortable, easy kind. Then you lift a hand, fingers threa…