Page 39 of When It Burns

Me: So I may have accidentally signed you up to meet my foster parents…

Caroline: Is that right? Honestly I am flattered Chief Johnson

Me: Well Heather might decide to hold you hostage, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Caroline: Bring it on, Cowboy. You can’t run me off that easily.

Smiling,I am about to respond when Zach knocks on my office door. He looks worn out, and he almost collapses into the chair when I motion for him to have a seat.

“What can I do for you Zach?” I ask, looking over at the young firefighter. He reminds me so much of myself when I started working at the station. I’ve realized over the last few weeks that none of us are exempt from tragedy, and it strikes each of us differently.

“Well, Chief, I am really sorry, but I need to switch shifts for this week or something. I got the call from the doctor that they have an opening for Bethany, but I have to go with her to therapy from nine until two on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the next two weeks in Saddle Ridge to make sure we both understand how to use her equipment. I will do whatever else I need to do to make sure I can contribute. I used all my PTO with the accident, and I need my insurance, Chief.”

I look at him and realize that his haggard expression isn’t only due to physical exhaustion— Zach looks like he’s carrying the weight of the world. I remember how I felt after the accident, and immediately feel a pang of sympathy for him.

“I’ll tell you what Zach; I will need to run it by the mayor first, but I think he will be more than happy to work with us. If he agrees, I will assign you to the night call for the next two weeks. That way you’re still working, but can stay home unless you need to be called out.”

The Fire Department in Springside decided years ago that it didn’t make sense to run two shifts since the incident rate was so low. The city had even debated shifting to a volunteer model since we were so small, but some of the local government appreciated having the perceived extra layer of safety of a municipal station. So, the other men in the station each take call one night a week along with a weekend every month. If anything major happens, they can call the rest of us in, but that hasn’t happened for several years.

Zach looks like he is ready to cry so I clear my throat and say, “I’ll figure something out. Your sister needs you. If you need anything else, we’re here.”

“Thank you, Chief. You sure aren’t as bad as everyone seems to think. I really appreciate it,” he replies with a laugh. I shake my head at him, hoping maybe he is right.

With that, he leaves my office and I start up my desktop, planning to start the day by checking my emails before calling the mayor. As I wait for the ancient Dell to start up, my phone rings again. Damn it, I am popular today.

I see Huey’s name light up the screen and slide to accept his call.

“Hey, Huey,” I say while furiously wiggling my mouse as if that will speed up the process.

“Good morning, Theo. How are you today?” the older man asks me.

“I’m good. I talked to Mr. Willy. Thank you for setting that up for me,” I reply with sincerity.

“You’re welcome, son. He may have been skeptical at first, but he called me after y’all talked and said you impressed him. If you aren’t careful, people are almost going to think you like it here,” Huey says with a laugh.

I just shake my head at him, but I can’t deny that he’s right.

“Anyway, that’s not what I called you about,” Huey says. “Now you can tell me to mind my own damn business, but I just wanted to share this with you. There is a PTSD support group that meets each week on Thursdays in Saddle Ridge. One of my friends started going after he got in a terrible car accident, and he swears it’s changed his life. Now, I am not trying to overstep, but I know what happened to your family. At the station, I worked with grown men who held in their trauma until it ate them alive, and I don’t want that to happen to you. Honestly Theo, I don’t know anyone that could come out of that tragedy without some big feelings. I just thought it could be good for you. If you want to go, I will go with you, or you can tell me to buzz off. I just wanted you to know.”

I feel my chest tightening for the second time in less than an hour, and we both sit in silence. After taking a deep breath I reply, “I appreciate it, Huey. I don’t think I am interested, but if I change my mind, can I call you?”

“Of course. And hey, Theo, let me know if you need anything else,” Huey says before clicking off the call.

Damn it. What a Monday.

CHAPTER THIRTY

CAROLINE

When third period hits, I still feel like I am flying in the clouds after the night I spent with Theo this weekend. Every time I heard my phone vibrate, I felt like a teenager as I raced to see what he had texted about. I’d known I was physically attracted to Theo, but damn that man knew what he was doing in the bedroom and I have to admit I am already desperate for more.

As my class walks in, I blow out a sigh of relief that Michael didn’t show up today. The principal and I are completely mystified as to what is going on with him. We both attempted parent contacts last week, but they had been unsuccessful. I know Mr. Hale hopes one talk with the counselors will solve his behavior problems, but I know there’s more to it than we can see. Over the last few years, I have learned that almost no behavior issue was truly random, and I want to try to help him the best I can. But it’s clear that his presence also sets the rest of the class on edge right now, and I don’t have it in me today.

I make my way through the room as I ask about their weekend or interests. I look over and see that Robby, a junior on the baseball team, looks uncomfortable. He sits at his normal desk, but he shifts awkwardly in his seat and keeps glancing between me and his backpack.

I briefly think that I need to pull him aside once class gets going to see what’s going on, but the loudspeaker from the office clicks on announcing a meeting change for the Beta Club, and I lose myself to attendance and the bell ringer.

I’m grabbing my computer and notes to cast on my screen before we get started with the content for the day when I see Tilly, one of my cheerleaders, raise her hand.

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