Page 24 of End Of Never

Just as my phone hits the nightstand, it vibrates. My heart speeds up, hoping it’s her.

Lil:

Jace who?

Her response makes me smile. We got a funny lady tonight.

Jace:

The Jace who’s trying to steal your heart.

Lil:

Not gonna happen.

Try again in eight years.

I sit up in bed feeling an intense punch to the stomach. Well, for fuck sakes, she is not holding back her punches.

Jace:

I’m trying now.

And I'm going to keep trying until I succeed.

Lil:

You’re wasting your time.

Jace:

Got you to talk, didn’t I?

Good Night, Lil.

Lil:

🙄

With the fire season coming to a head, the Chief requires all firefighters to attend a mandatory meeting. Hayden and I head into the training room together. It feels good to be back on shift with him, even if it is for one day. With fire season coming, I’m sure it’s going to turn into many days. Fires don’t have schedules; we are on their time, whenever they pop up, for however long, and our job is to fight, to protect, and to save.

“Hello, thank you, everyone, for coming in. We have a lot to go over. We have additional training coming up, and wildfire readiness. We need to start preparing for these fires and be proactive rather than reactive. With that said, we will begin managing vegetation and removing hazardous trees. When we’re out there, take in your surroundings, look at hydration levels, and see if the wind is shifting. Is it picking up? Slowing down? We can not change the weather, but we can understand it. Our gear needs to be inspected; all PPE, hoses, and trucks need to be stocked and ready to go at any time. That goes for you guys, too, Cody, Jace, your ambulances need to be just as stocked.” We all start with training on the computer. Getting ready for our field day tomorrow.

Hayden steps out to call his dad, but no luck. An hour passes, and I try again, but there's no luck. Hayden and I start getting anxious that the old man isn't answering. I called my parents to check on him, but they are out of town for my mom's appointment, and all our friends are here with us. “I can try to call one more person… but no promises.”

“That would be great, man, if not, let me ask her, she likes me.” He smiles.

I step out of the training room, dialing Lilla’s number. It rings for a while, just when I think she isn’t going to answer, she does.

“What?” Her voice is strong, sarcastic, and unforgiving.

“Don’t hang up.” I take a deep breath, “I need a favor, or really, Hayden needs a favor.” She’s quiet, so I continue. “We are both at the station today for training, and his dad isn’t picking up the phone. I asked my parents, but they are both out of town, and the people we know in this town are here in training with us… Could you please stop over and check on him?” I hear her sigh over the phone, and the dogs barking in the background.

“Okay, send me his address, and I’ll go check on him. My lunch is in a few minutes.”

“Thank you.” Without another word, she hangs up.

Walking back into the training room, Hayden is pacing the floor. “She’s going to check on him.” He sits down next to me, slowly relaxing.