Page 5 of Crash
“Sorry, man. I didn’t know you were still asleep,” Caleb says, when I open the door after growing tired of his heavy knocking. “I thought maybe you’d wanna hang out or go shoot some hoops.”
“Nah, man. I have to go to this dance thing with my sister in a little while. You can come if you want.”
“That’s a hard pass from me. Little kids dancing around on stage is not my thing.”
“They’re not little kids. My sister is twenty-three.”
“Oh, well, in that case, no.” We share a laugh.
I pop a pod in for coffee setting the brew cycle on strong.
“Did you stay up late or something?” Caleb continues.
A yawn comes out of my mouth before I can answer. “After I dropped Tessa and Courtney off, I came home, showered, and crashed,hard.”
“Who’s Tessa?”
“My sister’s best friend.” I slide a cup of joe over to him and he takes a sip.
“Is she cute?” he asks, setting his cup down and adding a little sweetener.
“I don’t know. I don’t look at her like that. She’s like a sister to me.” Not sure if I’m trying to convince him or me. Caleb is a good dude and all, but he has doggish ways about him. Not that I would care if they met and got together or anything like that, ’cause I don’t have a crush on her or whatever.
“Maybe I should go to this dance thing.” He flashes a sly smile giving indication his thoughts are not pure.
I take a sip of my straight-up, no-chaser coffee. "I don't know, man. I'm sure it's going to be pretty boring. Forget I asked," I answer between swallows, trying to keep my expression neutral while hoping he takes the hint.
“Shoot me a picture so I can see what’s up.”
I change the subject, hoping he doesn’t press the issue. “So, I saw the email last night. Three days off instead of two, and permanent twelve-hour rotations effective immediately. That’s cool. I can use the extra day off.”
“I hear ya. We ran into a few of the responders from firehouse forty-seven at the bar. They said a few spots may be opening soon for EMTs and medics. I think I’m going to refresh and apply. You should, too.”
I shrug in response as I polish off my first cup and go for another. “I don’t know.”
“It’s no different than what we do now except you’ll become a firefighter,” he chortles.
I take my first sip of my refreshed beverage. “Two cups of coffee at four in the afternoon? Are you sure you didn’t have a date and crashed hard after getting your nut? That’s the only time I sleep this late and have to wake up with joe juice.”
I think back to my thoughts of Tessa and how even after going to bed, I couldn’t shake her laugh or her smile from my mind. “No dates, just real tired.”
My phone rings and, based on the ringtone, I know it’s my sister.
“Courtney, I know. Pick you up in an hour.”
“Well, actually, change of plans. Can you just meet me up there? Tessa is really nervous and she’s panicking hard. Im’ma have Dad to drop me off after we leave here. I guess you don’t have to come after all, and you can just hang out with your friends or whatever.”
I don’t want to sound crazed, so I try my best to play it off. “Oh. Well, I’ll still be there. You know, to support the arts.”
“Mmhmm. Whatevs. I’ll see you soon.” She disconnects.
Caleb is staring at me. “You forgot to tell her to send a picture.” He holds his hands out for emphasis.
I walk away before answering. “I’ll get one tonight. In fact, I need to get a few things done first. When it’s over, I’ll message you to see where you are.”
“All right, man. I’ll get up with you later,” Caleb says.
We give each other bro-hugs and he leaves.
