Finding His Unicorn

“Did you just take my picture?” My smile falls as I walk over to him.

“We need your pretty face to give our firehouse some love. You know my ugly mug can’t do it.”

“It’s because you scowl so much,” I say before trying to take his phone from him. “What are you doing with that?”

“Posting it to our social media. Why don’t you tell me what had you smiling so big?”

“None of your business.”

I turn around and go back over to the truck to start cleaning out some of the gear. My thoughts instantly drift back to that glittery unicorn covered in fire extinguisher foam and tears. It shouldn’t make me smile so much, but the way she fell right into my arms did something to me. It made her endearing and her clumsiness makes me want to follow her around so nothing bad happens to her.

By the time we handled the call that took us away from her, it was too late. I went back to the park but everyone was gone, and disappointment hit me harder than I thought it would. It surprised me how my heart fell when I couldn’t find her, but I’m hoping for a phone call any moment that can point me in the right direction.

As if my hopes have sprung to life, my cell phone rings.

“I know why you’re calling me and we both know I can’t give you what you want,” April says, but I can hear the smile in her voice.

“Come on, I know you had to write down her info somewhere. Just a phone number. I could call and do your follow-up for you.” I’m not above begging, and maybe even theft.

She sighs and then there’s a long pause. “It’s against the law for me to share medical information with you, Blaze.”

My hope begins to sink, and I’m already trying to think of another way to find her.

“I appreciate you calling, but I’ve got a long shift today.”

“I know, I just really—”

“A really long shift.”

“I heard you,” I say, but she keeps on talking.

“I’ll be out of my office all day.”

“Yeah, April, I know how your job goes.”

“All day. And I’ve got so much paperwork to file. It’s just sitting here on my desk.”

I straighten up as I realize what she’s trying to tell me.

“Who knows when I’ll be back here to take care of it? I guess it will just sit here until then.”

“That’s too bad,” I say as I walk over to my locker and grab my keys.

“Yep, we’re leaving now, so I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

“I owe you,” I say and she chuckles.

“Just don’t let me down.”

“Not this time.” I hear her laughing as I hang up the phone. “I’m out of here,” I call over my shoulder to Chief.

“You’re leaving?” He sounds like I’ve just told him I’m from another planet. “But you never leave during the day.”

He follows behind me as I get in my truck and crank it up.

“I’m not even on the schedule today.” I wink at him as I throw it in reverse.

“That never stopped you before. Where the hell are you going?”

“To find my unicorn.”

His eyes widen as I turn on the radio and blast the music.

I can’t remember the last time I felt this good, and as I drive across town, the excitement feels so damn good. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I know April wouldn’t do me wrong.

When I get to the emergency services building I park my truck and walk in the back. It’s not unusual for firefighters to be here and I wave at a few people I know. I don’t take the time to stop and chat because I’m on a mission. April’s office is at the end of a long corridor so it provides a little bit of privacy. The door is closed and the light is off, but when I grab the handle it turns. I breathe a sigh of relief because I would have straight-up broken a damn window to get in there.

I walk in and silently close the door behind me as I go over to her desk. Right on top I see yesterday’s cases and I flip the folder open. I read through until I see the word “unicorn” and stop.

“There you are,” I say to myself as I pull out my phone and enter in her name and number.

At the bottom she lists a work address as her home address and I see it’s a call center in town. I check my phone to see where exactly it is, but Google says it’s closed today.

I debate texting her right now, but I need to see her. Those brown eyes have me all kinds of twisted up and I can’t get her out of my head. I can wait until tomorrow and then ask her out to lunch. But can I wait that long? An internal debate starts and then I hear voices on the other side of the door and I remember where I am.