Page 54 of Firecracker

After inspecting the contents of the fridge and cupboards, breakfast burritos won out. A short time later, over soft tortillas wrapped around scrambled eggs, sausage, peppers, and cheese, they discussed plans for the day and what other chores needed to be done.

He managed to get in a workout before they got called to a structure fire. Over the radio, they learned that cops were already on the scene and reported smoke coming from the garage of the home.

There were about five cop cars parked on the street in front of the house. Tyler jumped off the truck as soon as the air brake was set and started toward the back of the property.

“I don’t see any smoke,” Tremon stated.

“Me neither.”

“Pair of underwear burning in the garage,” one of the cops told them.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Tyler shook his head and made his way into the cluttered garage. Sure enough, there was a pair of men’s underwear smoldering away. He glanced around, found a rake, and used it to lift the garment. He showed it to Captain Maxwell.

“Great,” he said, one corner of his mouth lifting. “Use the thermal imager to make sure there’s nothing else burning in there.”

Turned out that one of the cops had showed up at the house to arrest a parolee for not checking in. The dude had been in the garage and lit the tighty whities on fire in an attempt to get away. When he ran out of the garage, another cop had been there, waiting for him. So much for that great escape.

That evening, Tyler made dinner, a big pot of chili, which he served with garlic cheese buns. His chili was one of his more popular menu offerings, and he made lots so they could stash it in the fridge, and the shift tomorrow could have some.

As they sat around the scarred wooden table eating, Tremon said, “Holy shit, this is spicy chili.”

“It’s not that spicy,” Tyler objected. He tasted another mouthful. Maybe a little more heat than usual.

“Hot enough to set your underwear on fire,” Cliff said, and they all busted out laughing.

* * *

Tyler went over to his mom’s place the next evening. She’d invited him for dinner, and he hadn’t been there for a while, plus he loved her roast beef. Despite the disappointment she never hid, he loved his mom and knew there would be things at the house that needed taken care of.

He pulled up on the street in front of the red brick house in North Center where he’d grown up. The house was bigger than his mom needed now she was alone, but she refused to sell. It was a solid house, a decent neighborhood, and it was all paid for thanks to insurance on the mortgage, but it was too much for Mom to look after.

“What’s new with you?” Mom asked as Tyler set the table and she filled a platter with slices of roast beef. “Are you seeing anyone?”

“No.” He wanted to be. But he wasn’t going to tell Mom that.

“I still miss Claire.”

“Sorry, Mom.” Just another way he’d let Mom down. “It just wasn’t working for us.”

“She was such a smart girl. She’s probably going to be a partner in that law firm she works at.”

“I’m sure she is.”

Claire was just the kind of woman his mom wanted for him—smart, together, with a high-powered career that was on track to make her lots of money and prestige. In fact, that was what Mom wanted forhim.

Mom set the platter of beef next to him and he loaded up his plate, snitching a piece to pop in his mouth. Then she brought out a bowl of mashed potatoes, along with a salad and a bowl of green beans—the kind with butter and almonds that Tyler loved—and some carrots.

“This is a lot of food for two people, Mom.”

“I know.” She sighed. “I can never get it right.”

They sat, Mom said a quick prayer, and they began passing the food back and forth, filling their plates.

“You know, Rachel Bronstein just broke up with her fiancé,” Mom said, referring to the daughter of one of her friends.

Tyler repressed a sigh. “I’m not interested in Rachel, Mom.”

“She’d be perfect for you!”

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