Saved by Silence

Chapter 2

                                                                                       Jackson

    This gear is so hot today, with this weather and no air conditioning in the school I am drenched in sweat. Today our squad was at Reed Road Elementary checking the fire alarm system before school starts next week. With the humidity outside and no air conditioning in this school we were all miserable. “Nathan! Hurry up we are all dying of humidity here” I yell at Nate another squad member as I walk toward the front of the school to try and get some air. It is the middle of the afternoon and the heat is still rising. You would think the rain last night would help cool down this warm weather. 

       I walk toward the back of the truck with the other guys, just waiting for Nathan to finish up with the system. “Kev, how's the wife handling her pregnancy in this heat?”, I ask my best friend and fellow firefighter. 

    “She has the air condition blasting and is cranky because she wants the kid out”, he says with a chuckle. 

    “I bet. She is eight months along and looks ready to pop” I state as I take off my turnout coat, trying to cool down. I turn around in time to see long brown hair and toned legs pass by. She turns around quickly to say hi to the squad and I am hit with a beautiful smile. 

    As she continues to, what must be her car, I rush to catch up. “Hey” I say loud enough to get her attention. She turns around quickly, looking a little startled before recognizing my Everton Station 2 tee shirt. She slightly relaxes, but continues unlocking her car and tossing her bag in. 

    “Hi, can I help you with anything?” she asks nervously. 

    “My name is Kevin, I work at Everton station 2 on Engine 39”, I point behind me to the truck and some of the men staring at us. I stand there waiting for her to say something, but she just keeps fidgeting with her keys. “And your name is?” I ask trying to prod her. 

    “Um, I’m Kaley, I am a third grade teacher here” she says quietly as she nods her head back toward the school. 

    “That’s really cool” I say nervously, feeling like an i***t. “Umm so I was wondering if maybe you would be interested in getting drinks sometime and getting to know each other?”. Damn I sound so stupid and I don’t even know this women, I also can’t believe I just asked her out.

    “Uh, I am flattered but I am not interested in dating right now” she says as she gets in her car and closes her door. She looks back at me quickly before pulling out of her spot.

    As she drives away I hear the guys in the back round ribbing me for striking out. Damn she was beautiful and hopefully I will get the chance to see her again. I finish staring at her car as it turns the corner hoping to see her sooner or later. I don’t even know the women, but from the brief conversation there is just something about her, that makes me want to get to know her. 

    I walk back towards the guys with my head down, taking all their s**t in for striking out and laughing good naturedly with them. “All right, all right, very funny” I tell them as we start to load the truck up. Finally, we are done and can get out of our gear back at the station. I take one last glance at where Kaley’s car drove away and hop in the truck with the rest of the guys.

    Once back at the station, we all strip out of our gear and head to grab water. As Kev and I go to sit at the table we hear the captain yell “Engine 39, you need to wash the truck”. The collective groans can be heard from around the station. “Shut up you whimps and get to it!” Cap yelled back at all of us. 

    “Damn Cap you weren’t out there sweating your cajones off!” Nate yelled back, as we all trudged to grab the buckets and soap.

    “Watch it Nathan, or you will be cleaning that truck alone” Cap shot back at him.

    “Yes!” everyone yelled collectively, hoping the Captain would make Nate do it alone. 

    “Shut it you bunch of babies and get to work” Cap said as he made his way back to his office.

    Half way through cleaning the truck the alarm sounds and we hear “Engine 39, fire at 39 Cardinal lane. Engine 39, fire at 39 cardinal lane”. We quickly geared up and jumped back in the truck as the ambulance pulled out too. In the truck the radio sounded explaining that a kitchen fire was called in and all residents reported evacuating the house. F***k, we were two hours from freedom too.

    By the time we pulled back into the station, I was dead on my feet and could not wait to get home. I was official an hour over the time I was supposed to be off and my stomach was rumbling. Heading to my truck I decide to grab takeout from panera on my way home. 

    Walking into my house I am greeted by Oscar, my german shepherd, staring at me holding his leash is his mouth.  I take the leash from his mouth and click it on to his collar to walk him around the block. My neighbor, who also happens to be my little sister, Caroline, is nice enough to let Oscar out during the day and on her days off she keeps him with her. Walking back in my house I feed Oscar and get ready to shower the day away. As I stand under the hot water, I can’t stop thinking about Kaley. I get out, dry off, throw my boxers on and get into bed putting ESPN on. Oscar jumps up next to me and sprawls out. I am asleep before the football game even begins.