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“You know what happened to her?” asked Mike. Jethro nodded.

“It was our team that brought them out of there. Fuckers had already killed two of the women. We were late. It haunts me every night. We got her and two others out.”

“She told me a bit about it during the interviews. Professional opinion? I think she needs some deep therapy. Her folks are rich socialites living in the Garden District. Old New Orleans money that wanted their daughter to do the whole debutante bullshit, marry someone rich and pad daddy’s pockets.

“Aurora was having none of that. After getting her degree in chemistry she volunteered for a project in the Middle East to teach at an orphanage for a year. That’s what those five women were doing. When she got back, her parents were immediately pushing her to date their choices.

“They wanted her to either go to medical school or get married. No other options. She told them she was going to be a firefighter and they basically disowned her.”

“Assholes. Who does that to their kid?” asked Jethro.

“Not me, that’s for damn sure,” said Mike.

“Any word on the other two women?” asked Sonny. “We never hear how our rescues are doing.”

“She mentioned that one took her own life,” frowned Mike. “Another reason I think she needs intensive counseling.”

“Maybe I can get her to go,” said Jethro. “She trusts me, or at least she did trust me. I’ll try to talk to her later in the shift.”

Later in the shift never happened. Jethro, Sonny, and Brunson didn’t realize how busy the station was at all times. Cars parked too close to the canal and flooded with someone’s groceries. An elderly man locked out of his house because he forgot the keys. A child who fell out of a tree. A dumpster fire. It seemed to never end.

When Jethro finally showered and was ready to turn everything over to the next shift, Aurora was already headed to her car.

“Hey! Hey, Aurora!” he yelled at her. She stopped, as if a police officer told her to freeze. “Hey, it’s just me.”

She turned to stare up at him and nodded.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes. Yes, it’s just I didn’t realize how tall you were. I don’t think I was ever looking up at you. Over there I mean.” Jethro nodded.

“How about breakfast? On me,” he said calmly. “There’s a great diner down the street. Lots of people.”

“You want to have breakfast with me?” she asked in surprise. He chuckled.

“Does that surprise you? Remember I said we might see one another again if the universe aligned. Apparently, it did,” he smiled.

“Yeah. Okay,” she nodded. “Should I follow you?”

“I’ll drive and bring you back to your car,” he said opening his truck door. She stepped up on the riser and scooted in, buckling her seatbelt. As they drove, soft music played on his radio.

“So, you work for Shadow Warriors?” she asked. He nodded.

“I do. I retired from the Marines a few months back and my team lead’s family is all here. They offered us all jobs. How long have you been a firefighter?”

“Just a year,” she said staring out the window. “I’m a terrible disappointment to my parents.” She tried to smile but he could see the pain coming through.

“Well, they have no idea what they’re missing out on. I think you’re amazing.”

“Me? Why would you think that?” she asked.

“Aurora, you survived. Do you know how many don’t? You survived, returned, found something you love to do and you’re fucking amazing.”

“Y-you know about Tara?” she whispered.

“Is she the girl that took her own life?” he asked. Aurora nodded.

“We tried to stay in touch, talk to one another. She and Joselyn were my best friends over there. We did everything together. They were my rocks during, when, well, when that happened.”