Page 35 of Bear In A Boutique
“Yeah,” the other kid sighed dramatically. “He won’t get out until we’re forty-two.”
“Shut up, Ben!”
An unexpected ache punched Ryker in the chest. He sure as hell knew how that felt. Watching his father get arrested multiple times and then finally put in prison drummed up all sorts of poisonous feelings when Ryker was too young to know what to do with them. Hell, he still didn’t know what to do with them.
“That’s rough, Cal. Sorry to hear that. “
Cal turned in on himself, blocking Ryker’s attempt at commiseration. If not for his uncle Rowen stepping in as a father figure, he might have done stupid stuff to vent his anger, too. And while he felt bad for Cal, it didn’t cancel out the consequences.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to learn how to put this fire out, and then we’re going to the ranger station so you can confess to what you’ve been doing out here. I don’t know what the consequences will be, but I’m sure they won’t be pretty.”
Martin covered his face with his hands. “My mom is going to kill me.”
Slipping off his backpack, Ryker unzipped it and removed a fire extinguisher, a pair of gloves, and eye protection. Motioning for Cal to come closer, he thrust the extinguisher into the boy’s hands and turned him toward the fire.
“Do you know how to use one of these?”
“No.”
“Here’s the difference between you and me. You start fires to deal with your problems. I kill fires to deal with mine. Which one do you think has a better outcome? My way, or yours?”
He shoved the safety glasses on the kid’s face.
“Here’s how I see it. If fire makes you feel better, fine. Play with the flames. But do it in a way that serves your community and your family instead of hurting them. Trust me; it feels better to put out a fire and save someone’s home than it does to burn a park down.”
After a brief explanation of how to use the extinguisher, he turned Cal loose.
“Aim, pull the handle, sweep.”
The boy looked uncertain but did as instructed. A spray of foam shot from the extinguisher hose and landed on the fire.The other boys cheered, which made Cal smile and discharge the foam with more confidence until the fire was extinguished.
Ryker showed them how to stir up the ashes to ensure it wouldn’t reignite. Using the gloves, he had the boys pick up the remaining trash, and then ushered them into their bicycles where they cleaned up the rest of their mess. He followed them as they rode their bikes to the twenty-four-hour ranger station, and waited inside with them until a ranger became available.
The boys sat on a long bench, kicking their feet, hands in their laps, each of them wearing a remorseful look that Ryker was glad to see. Hopefully, this experience would prevent them from repeating their actions. Time would tell.
Cal sat on the end of the bench, face in his hands. He didn’t look up when Ryker knelt on one knee next to him.
“My dad was in and out of jail for most of my childhood. Then he went to prison and that was that. I know it makes you angry and I’m not going to tell you what to do with that anger. But if you want a better outlet, come to the fire station. Someone is always there, and we appreciate an extra hand to help get stuff done.”
Cal didn’t respond, not that Ryker expected him to. He’s put the offer out there and hopefully the kid would use it to his advantage.
He was about to get up when a soft voice stopped him. “Will you be there?”
“I’ll tell you what. If you show up, and I’m not, one of the guys can call me and I’ll come over. Just ask for Ryker Mitchell.”
He extended his hand. To his surprise, Cal shook it.
“See you around.”
Ryker stood, clipped his radio to his waist, and went to the counter to sign some forms.
“I really thought he was going to eat us!” Martin whispered.
Cal grunted. “I can’t wait to get out of this town. As soon as I’m eighteen, I’m out of here.”
A muscle in Ryker’s jaw twitched as he focused on the paperwork. He’d said the same thing when he was that age, and yet, he was still here, doing nothing about it.
He could change that. All he had to do was make a phone call.
