MacKenzie Heat

Chapter Two: Another Fresh Start

                Malcolm shook his head at the memory and took a deep breath. So much had changed since then.

All three boys had gone to Uni, but while there Morgan discovered his desire to be in law enforcement and he went to the Police Academy in Frankfort right after he got his Associates, he was currently dating a sweet young woman named Danae. Danae was a lawyer and they had met a few times in the courtroom. Morgan said it was love at first sight. Morgan had moved back to Lancaster five years ago, Danae had recently moved to join him, and last Malcolm knew, Morgan was planning on proposing.

Murdoch had started volunteering at the hospital part-time and fallen in love with a young nurse’s assistant, named Emily, they decided to become doctors. Murdoch and Emily also got married while working on their Undergrad degree, and they’d had a couple of babies already. They were both in residency out of state, but they planned on returning to Kentucky to start their practice in Lancaster.

Malcolm was the only brother who hadn’t gone home for holidays or weekends. He’d remained bitter and resentful of his parents for the full two years of college, and even after he went to the Firefighter Academy, he hadn’t even answered their calls. Malcolm had got himself a 1-bedroom apartment, and he had tried to convince Amber to join him, for two long years he begged her, but she said no, and Malcolm quit trying. He was angry with her too, and though he never dated anyone he started going on dates, sleeping around, and if it hadn’t been for his job as a firefighter, he would have just given into the alcohol.

Malcolm remembered the night his Fire Chief, Mike, found him drinking out behind the station. He’d been sent home and put on administrative leave. Then Mike did something Malcolm hadn’t expected, he came and took him to an AA meeting. He took him to box to help him work out his anger, and he made Malcolm start running with him every morning. Mike had retired since then, but Malcolm had appreciated the help, even if he hadn’t known he needed it.

It was just about the time that he was sober for a year and he was thinking about reconnecting with his family that his life changed forever though. 

5 years ago Malcolm’s crew had attended a fire, there was a young man outside crying, yelling for help, his father was still inside….unfortunately, they couldn’t get to the man’s father in time, and all the man could say was, “We got in a fight…. I didn’t get to say I’m sorry….I didn’t tell him that I love him.” The words ran around and around in Malcolm’s head that day, and just hours before his shift ended, he was called to another incident, a vehicle crash. A young police officer had pulled a speeder over and was issuing a ticket when another vehicle had struck him head-on and sent him flying over 100ft. The officer was 23, he had no wife or children, but he was DOA, and his dad….well, they hadn’t spoken since his son had left the house when he was 18, he’d had no idea his son was a police officer, no idea that his son had such a dangerous line of work…..just like his parents. At that time, not even Malcolm’s brothers knew that he’d become a firefighter.

Malcolm had gone home that night and called his parents. It was as if the resentment had disappeared. But Malcolm still didn’t go home. It wasn’t because of his parents, or his brothers….it was because he was afraid to face Amber. He still loved her, and he had treated her badly, dishonored her by sleeping around. Malcolm was ashamed of himself and he didn’t know if he could go home, see her with her husband, her kids, and know that they weren’t his kids, he wasn’t her husband.

Malcolm stood up and went to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror at the dark grey eyes. Malcolm was the spitting image of his father. Same eyes, hair, and body build. He shook his head and stepped into the shower.

After his shower Malcolm made breakfast and sat down….it was 5 AM and he was awake…. on his freaking day off! UGH! He glanced at his brothers’ schedules…nope, they were both off today too, probably sound asleep with their significant other.

Ha-ha, except maybe Murdoch!

Murdoch was the proud father of two-year-old, Race, and 2-month-old, Raider, so he might be awake. Malcolm grabbed his phone and shot him a message.

Ye up?

A few minutes passed and Malcolm was beginning to think that Murdoch was asleep when his phone chimed.

Aye, what up?

Mum called. She wants me tae come home, guess the fire department is going full time, old Tony is looking for firefighters.

Are ye gonna do it?

Was thinkin’ ‘bout it. Think I should?

Malcolm, mate, it’s yer life, ye gotta do what’s best fer ye. Is the pay better? The hours? Are ye movin’ back in with mum and da if you go home? If no, do you have enough in savin’s fer a place? If yes, are you gonna be able to abide by Callum’s rules?

Malcolm didn’t reply right away. Murdoch was right, he really did need more information before even thinking about a decision. Yet something just felt right about now.

Guess I need mair info afore deciding, just feels right…ken what I mean?

This time Murdoch was a few minutes in his reply.

Aye mate, I’m homesick too. So is Em… ye ken…. we ken why ye havenae been back. Amber’s brothers are waiting to kick yer arse for hurting her. If ye need back up Morgan and I’ll be there…

Malcolm laughed nervously…he’d been so worried about Amber, herself, that he had forgotten about Frankie, Fergus Jr., and Andrew.

I’m no worried about the Frasers. I’ll no be fightin’ anyone. I’m tae old for that kind o shite!

Aye, me tae, lol, ye good mate? I’m finished putting the bairn back to sleep, going to catch a few more zeds before my toddler dances on my bladder.

Malcolm laughed. He’d met wee Race when he was a baby, but he’d not seen the new wean. Murdoch must be going crazy, keeping his wife happy, doing residency, and having two babies? Malcolm knew there was no way he could do it.

Aye, I’m good, night. Ttyl

Malcolm washed his dishes and decided to head to the gym.

It was around 2 PM when Anthony finally called Malcolm.

“Hello, Malcolm MacKenzie speaking”

“Hi, Malcolm, this is Anthony Simms from Lancaster Fire Department. I’ve been permitted to hire on some new people and I am really interested in bringing you on.”

“Direct to the point! Always liked that about you, Anthony. I am interested in your offer, what is the pay rate?”

“Well, keeping in mind that you’d be moving from the big city of Louisville to our smaller city of Lancaster…”

“Just tell me mate.”

“I’ve been authorized to offer $36,000 a year. Now I know you may be taking a pay cut, but the benefits are all the same as up there. Additional benefits are you’ll be closer to your folks, what with them getting on in years, that and your brothers, I know Morgan is already working here, but Murdoch and his little family will be coming back after they’re done.”

“It is a slight pay cut, but I can live with that. I’ve been thinking of coming home fer awhile Anthony, and I will take the job.”

“Perfect! I’ll call your Chief and we’ll get the transfer started ASAP. I’d like you down here by next week if possible.”

“Wow that’s fast, alright, I’ll let my landlord ken, and I’ll get packing. See you soon Anthony.”

“Will do, bye”

The call ended and Malcolm felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He was going home, and although he was nervous about Amber, the idea of going home actually made him happy.