Chapter Text
One place Ben Warren can usually be found is the Station 19 gymnasium. He looked up and offered a curt nod when
the Station Commander walked in, verifying her assessment that the Black, Latino, and 'Other' station members
are on 'high alert' in terms of their Caucasian counterparts: right before shift-end she witnessed JohnEl Simms berate
Cutler when he passed him too closely on the stairs, one of many small spats that had erupted since the viewing of
the 'Minneapolis Tape'...
"I have a 'Dad' question for you Warren...if that's ok", she began, standing next to the weight bench he sits on.
"Okay..."
"I...I received a 'suggestion' from HQ that 'quiet support for the People Of Color' in the department is acceptable; being
SEEN supporting any protest activity is discouraged', unquote. You, Vic, Miller, Andy: you are all are my friends; I even get
along O.K. with Sullivan, since he and Andy got married...how do I-HOW CAN I stay quiet when everything in me wants to
march front and center at tonight's rally, except..."
"Except you might lose the position you worked so hard for and take yourself out of the running for future advancement", Ben
finished for her.
"Exactly."
He set the weights aside. "There's no right answer in this scenario, Mai. Job vs long-time friendships and relationships? I'd ask my-
myself how CARINA will see me if I abandon my friends and colleagues to stay on the promotion track-I have an idea what Previous
Maya would decide, but aren't you New Maya?"
"I want to keep being New Maya", she said. "Carina would want me to do what's right."
"Thanks, Dad." She kissed him on the cheek and walked out.
"Brush your teeth and do your homework!" he said to her departing backside.
R.I.P.