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1
Raven
The contrast of Grapevine compared to the hustle and bustle of the big city astounds me. Though familiar territory from growing up here, it’s so small and mundane compared to the life I leave behind. After graduation, I didn’t plan on coming back, but Tim turned out not to be the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, and left me with nowhere else to go. It takes a couple days in my brother’s spare bedroom to cry it out, and come to my senses. Instead of letting myself miss him, determination fuels my fire to get back out there and start my life. Even though this town hums at a different pace, it holds all sorts of potential for adventure and excitement. I look forward to building a new life for myself in this small town—one full of possibilities and happiness. First things first: find a job.
Once I fill out the applications and the employers' notice the blank work history, it proves to be a challenge. Instead of being mad at myself, I move onto the next place to find something better. There must be someone in this town willing to hire me.
After job hunting for most of the day, my stomach growls as the sign for the old diner comes into my view. Ryan and I used to come here every Saturday morning when we were kids with our parents. The bell sings above my head and I go straight to the wrap-around seating. The place hasn’t changed a bit. Still a small out-of-the-way mom and pop place to grab a burger and a milkshake. The weathered cherry red vinyl stands out amongst the rest of the place.
"Be with you in a moment," one server shouts from the back.
Finding a job proves to be harder for me, and I didn’t want to live with my brother forever. His girlfriend is ready for me to leave since they’re supposed to be moving in together. Listen, I didn’t blame her. Who wants to live with their boyfriend and his sister?
"I'm so sorry. What can I get you?" she asks, holding a pad of paper and a pen.
"A burger basket, please. Oh, and a strawberry milkshake."
Someone catches my attention. A man enjoying dinner with a friend in black pants and a blue t-shirt with the firefighter logo on it. His hands are all over the place, like he wants the whole diner to know what is going on. The man reminds me of high school. The jocks tend to be over the top, and talk a big game to make themselves look cooler. At his age though, it just makes him look like an idiot.
"Is he always this loud and obnoxious?" I say to the server as she hands me my milkshake. She didn't respond. My lips close around the straw, and alas perfection.
Since being back here, away from Tim, things are brighter, more vibrant even. Did I not see the signs? He wasn’t abusive or anything, but now I can live my life as I want, without any say so from him.
My phone vibrates against the table.
Ryan: Will you be home for dinner?
I laugh because I have caught on to my brother's antics. Dinner is code for something else. Don’t come home right now.
Me: At the diner. At least an hour.
The straw starts gurgling at me, and I sigh in disbelief the milkshake depleted that fast. I need to watch out because this place can make me put on some pounds.
“Here’s your burger,” the waitress says, setting the red basket in front of me with a bottle of ketchup. “Need anything else, dear?”
I shake my head and stick a fry in my mouth, regretting the decision. My mouth is on fire, and I blow trying to cool it down without having to take it back out, but their eyes land on me. Matter of fact, everyone inside the diner.
“I’m okay, just hot,” I reply, still blowing, but giving them a thumbs up.
The mysterious man and his friend are still staring at me, but trying not to make it obvious. I didn’t recognize him, but the other guy went to school with my brother.
Their eyes divert and I can eat in peace. It didn’t last long, maybe five minutes. They start up again. First, basketball and then onto his friend’s latest disaster of a date. I try so hard not to eavesdrop, but is it considered eavesdropping when they are talking loud enough for China to hear them? The story consists of him being offended because his date offered to pay for her own meal. Now, this throws me for a loop because who would be mad at not having to pay? Dutch is becoming more common, just not so much in this town. You know, where they both pay for their own meal. Why is that such a big deal?
My eyes keep trailing over his way, but I make it impossible for him to catch me. The man isn’t bad looking by any means, but his mannerisms are a major turnoff. If they plan on talking this loud, next time they should go to a bar. At least the loud music will drown out their conversation.
After humming to myself, I just keep getting more irritated. They continue getting louder and louder. I’m not the only person they’re bothering. I get up and pass them on the way to the door. “I’d say your disaster date was a keeper, and you should take her out again. And also, next time go to a bar for fucks sake…”
As I step out onto the pavement, a smile sweeps across my face. The old Raven is back.
2
Adonis
The fire truck races out of the depot, heading toward the apartment building. Coming up on it, the heat of the blaze creates moisture on my face. The crew jumps out of the fire truck and splits up - half getting the hose ready to drench the flames and the other going inside to get everyone out safely.
The fire and heat surges like a living thing, hungry and hot. I hand off the hose to my men and dart toward the structure. The smoke billows out of the windows, twisting into black snakes inside the apartments. I run forward, getting my mask on, checking each room. It fills the air with an acrid smell. My skin prickles as if a million tiny needles are stabbing me, and I squint when my eyes land on a cat huddled under a chair, too scared to move.
"Come here, kitty. I got you," I say, picking it up and holding it to my chest. My feet carry me swiftly around to make sure no one else is in here before getting the kitty to safety. I go to the front of the building and hand the cat to a nearby police officer before heading back inside, tactically going from one apartment to another. The team moves up and down the stairs, checking each apartment for survivors or victims. The heavy thud of the boots and our low voices echo in the stairwell.
