“How is your aunt? She still in and out of the hospital?”
“She’s doing better for now. I’m hoping the new treatments start to take effect. Her illness has been especially hard on my uncle, but we are all trying to pull through. Speaking of, today is her birthday and I’m vising her later at the bakery.”
“Well that’s nice of you. How old is she?”
“She turns sixty-two today. She’s still a beauty though. My uncle still—”
The ringing sound of the fire alarm signals throughout the firehouse. Captain and I drop the remaining dirty dishes and sprint into the lobby to gather our gear. In seconds, I’m fully geared up with my mask and helmet in tow. I slide my feet into the fire retardant boots and follow Carter onto the fire truck.
Captain yells out, “Gas leak at 42nd and 8th Avenue apartment building! Two trucks!”
We all respond, “Yes sir!”
Within seconds, the garage door opens and the trucks speed off into the busy city streets.
I notice Carter strapping on his helmet and give him a nod. “It’s go time.”
******
Two hours later we stroll inside the firehouse, confident in our day’s work. We managed to infiltrate the building and secure the apartment residents to safety before anything got worse. Captain and a few others found the leak, ensuring everything was shut off properly and securely.
Looking at the time, I realize my shift ended an hour ago so I drop my gear off and race upstairs to shower and change into a fresh FDNY t-shirt. Thirty minutes later I say my goodbyes to everyone, informing them I’ll see them in two days.
With the number of members at this fire station, we are all separated into groups. Groups one through five have twenty-four hour leave. Groups six through ten have forty-eight hours. Each group rotates the morning and night tours and every three weeks, I get a nice long weekend.
Since I’m still a newbie, I usually stay a little bit longer to ensure proper training and learn as much as I can. You can never be too prepared for this kind of work.
I race to the subway and catch the six train heading to Pelham Bay Park. The thirty-minute train ride allows me to relax and just enjoy some alone time, and I listen to some new playlists on Spotify. After spending three to four days with a group of burly men, it gets kind of crowded. I have my own apartment in the city but I’m hardly there. With work and heading up to the Bronx all the time, there’s really no point to it. I end up paying $1200 a month for a one bedroom for nothing, but it’s in a great location and I can’t give that up.
As I step off the train platform and make my way downstairs to the street, I see the florist setting up some new arrivals and decide to purchase Aunt Maggie a bouquet of tulips, her favorite. Handing over a few dollars, I gather up the fresh bouquet and make my way down the street toward the bakery.
I smile instantly, thinking about how much Aunt Maggie is going to love these flowers. I hope she has a nice vase for them.
Walking up to the bakery, I notice a female customer exiting while pushing a baby stroller. I step aside, careful not to knock into her. I glance down at the little girl and she gives me a warm smile. Her tiny smile is adorable and I can’t help but smile right back at her.
I hear the lady yell back inside, “Okay, we’re off. Thank you for the pastries!” and as I glance away from the little girl, she crashes right into my chest. Out of habit, my body immediately goes into ‘firefighter mode’ and I grab hold of her, making sure to steady her so she doesn’t lose her balance and fall.
Her golden locks brush along the bottom of my chin as her body freezes up and she looks away in embarrassment.
She steps out of my grasp and turns her head to me. “I’m sorry, I’m such a klutz. I didn’t mean to—”
At that moment, my heart beats a million miles per minute as the beauty from the past stands there before me. Is this for real? Is she really here? I could never forget those emerald eyes; they’ve haunted my dreams for years.
A million and one questions race through my mind, each dying to be answered. I can’t help but stare at her and I get lost in the wonder of possibilities to come. My body is frozen still and my lungs ache for a breath of air.
What are you doing? Speak to her you damn idiot. Don’t just stand there.
The little girl starts to mumble about her Barbie doll and I shake away the frozenness. Clearing my throat, I open my mouth to say hello, but she interrupts and steps aside.
“Excuse me.”
Before I can delay her exit, she races across the street. I have the sudden urge to go after her.
My eyes follow her along the other sidewalk. My body yearns for her warm touch and my heart continues to pound in my chest.
I take a step after her but my feet stop as I take in the newfound revelation. Wait, she has a child. She’s got to be married now.
A hurtful ping of pain flows through my body as a frown spreads across my face. I’m too late. I let out a deep breath and take one last look at her, silently begging her to turn around and come back. As she continues her journey away from me, I bow my head in defeat. I hope you’re happy. With that, I step inside the bakery, closing the door behind me.