Page 4 of Embers of You
We all laugh as Parker storms off somewhere. He’s young and still so immature. He has a lot to learn in life, but I don’t doubt that if he sticks around here with this group that he’ll end up okay.
I’m exhaustedby the end of shift. I never sleep well at the station, I’m always on guard for a call and one would think I would be used to it after years of doing this job, but it still affects me.
When I pull up to my parents’ property, the familiar sight of the old farmhouse puts me at ease. I swing my car door open and make my way up the creaky porch steps, the screen door clicking as I push it open and step inside. The house smells like home—freshly baked bread, a hint of lavender, and that comforting, warm scent of wood and dust. As I make my way further into the house, I find my mom wiping down the kitchen, and I furrow my brow at her.
“Ma, what are you doing?” I say softly, stepping closer.
“Hi, sweetie, I needed to move around. I was going crazy just sitting.”
“You’re supposed to be resting.” I gently take the rag from her and try to lead her back to the living room.
“I feel like I’m alwaysrestingJameson.” She sighs.
“As you should be, considering you’re going throughchemo.”
She waves me off like what I’m saying is ridiculous.
That’s the reason I came back, though. She was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, and even though the doctors gave her a somewhat positive prognosis I just knew I needed to be back to help her. She has my dad, but they live on a large property with a lot of farm animals. Even though my dad and I are barely speaking I know he needed the help as well.
Once I have my mom settled on her recliner, I go back into the kitchen to get her some water.
“What else do you need, Ma?” I ask after I hand her the glass.
“My son to get married and stop worrying about me so much.”
“Glad to hear your sense of humor isn’t affected by your medication.”
“I’m fine, I can get whatever I need myself, and you look like you could use a nap. Rough night?”
I shake my head. “No, it was fine, I just prefer sleeping in a real bed compared to a cot.”
“Understandable. Go get some sleep, then you can cook dinner tonight since you want to be so helpful.”
I chuckle before giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Bye, Ma.” I head out to walk down to the guest house on the property that’s been mine since I was a teenager and wanted more space. I had to renovate it quite a bit, which my parents told me if I did then I could have it as my room. There wasn’t a better motivator as a sixteen year old kid who had dreams of sneaking girls in and throwing secret parties.
Both of which I did once it was done, of course, but now it’s just nice to not have to constantly face my dad’s disapproving glare.
After my nap I work on some projects around the property, cleaning the horse stalls, and making note of the various repairs that need to be done to the barn. I feed the cows and goats before heading back to the main house to do what Mom said and make her dinner.
I cooked some simple barbeque chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. Mom tries to encourage conversation between Dad and me, but it goes nowhere. Just as it always does.
Dad grunts in response to me and doesn’t ask anything about my life. I can see how it wears on Mom, and I wish it could bedifferent, but I can’t force him to forgive me or at least pretend for her. I’ve tried.
After dinner I realize I left my bag at the station because I was so tired I completely spaced out. I know I should just wait to get it on my next shift, but it has my toothbrush and toothpaste. I can’t stand the feeling of going to sleep without brushing my teeth, and I don’t have a backup.
My parents might, but at this point I would rather drive back into town than deal with the possibility of an awkward confrontation with Dad again.
With that, I go to my truck and drive back to the station. It’s already pitch-black outside with the street barely lit by the dim street lamps.
I do my best to sneak inside without drawing attention to myself because I know the rest of the guys will give me shit for coming back. They know how meticulous I can be about things and admitting this would be the perfect opportunity for them to give me shit.
Luckily, I make it out without anyone seeing me. As I’m walking back to my truck, I see someone I don’t recognize standing by an old looking Jeep in one of the parking spaces at Trish’s. That must be the woman Parker was talking about. I’m about to get into my truck when I notice she’s just standing at the driver’s side door, and it looks like her head is against the window.
I can tell something’s wrong, so I go over to check on her because I doubt she wants to be standing in an empty parking lot in the dark in a place she doesn’t know.
“Hey,” I call softly as I approach to not scare her.
She lifts her head before turning to face me, and I feel like I just got smacked in the face. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t to come across the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m not a dramatic man, either. She’s extraordinary. Her chocolate brown hair whips around her shoulders. Her eyes shine with unshed tears. Plush lips, straight nose. She looks younger than me, probably mid-twenties, but she looks tired, and not just from lack of sleep. There’s something about her that just seems exhausted, and it makes me want to wrap her in my arms and give her everything she needs from here on out.
