Page 28 of Return to Us
“I think it was you who convinced me.”
“Well, damn, we’re fucking stupid.”
“Fact.”
Jack and I chug the water and then toss the empty bottles into the truck. One of the newbies gets to clean out the rig as part of their initiation.
“I’m glad we got this one under control quickly,” Jack says, surveying what was left of the home.
“Yeah, no casualties is always a win.”
There are two fires that I will never forget. One where we arrived and were told everyone was out, but the witnesses hadn’t seen the father go back in to get their dog. It was my first call as a lieutenant three years ago, and one that has haunted me. We should’ve geared up to go in faster. We could’ve saved him, but everyone was sure the whole family was accounted for.
The other is one that I wasn’t a responder for, but Jack was. It was the fire that took his mother from them.
Which is why wealwaysanswer the call.
Jack clears his throat. “Always a win.” He leans back, stretching his arms over his head. “So, tell me about you and Jess.”
I jerk my head back. “What about me and Jess?”
“I hear that you rescued her like some hero from a fairy tale, pulling her out of a perilous situation and saving her like the knight in shining armor you are.”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t know you knew the word perilous.”
“I know all kinds of shit.”
“Well, you know nothing about this.”
“Sure I don’t.”
Thankfully, one of my rookies comes over, sweat pouring down his face. “Captain?”
“What’s up, Riggs?”
Riggs is a good kid, a bit overeager, but he’s going to be a great firefighter. With a last name like that, we expect nothing less. It also doesn’t hurt that his father is the chief. He has no choice but to follow in those footsteps, which I know all too well.
“Do you want me to start coiling the hose?”
“We can’t since they’re still using it.”
“Right.”
Jack snorts. “Youcando something.”
Oh, I’m sure this is going to be good.
“Anything you need, Jack.”
“Don’t be so eager, kid, there are too many who will take advantage of it,” I warn.
“Right. Of course.”
Jack shakes his head. “Just stick with me, and we’ll find you something to do.”
That’s the worst idea ever. “For now, just make sure all the guys have water,” I tell Riggs.
Riggs runs off, doing as I ask. I chug another bottle of water and nudge Jack. “Chicken shit.”
