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“For sure,” I agreed. “How’s the old lady?”
“She was fine. She just needed some oxygen once we managed to clear her from the car,” he said.
“Was that because of the car…or because of you?” I asked teasingly.
“Huh?”
“She probably saw you and felt a little light-headed,” I told him. “Good-looking men have that effect on women.”
“It was a pretty massive car…it could have nearly crushed her to death. She was very lucky.”
I didn’t know if he was completely obtuse, just disinterested, or if I was just horrible at flirting, but Phil was giving me nothing in return. He deftly changed the subject, and I listened without really hearing him. My mind was tired and frustrated, and it was just one of those days when nothing seemed to go right. Halfway through the conversation, I zoned back in and listened to the last half of one of Phil’s fireman stories.
“You’re lucky to have found a job you love so much,” I said.
“It gives me purpose,” he replied. “I suppose that’s what I was searching for this whole time. I just didn’t realize it until firefighting found me.”
“Purpose,” I repeated. “What does it feel like to have it?”
“It feels like…you’re complete,” he replied.
I smiled for a moment. “Phil…”
“Yes?”
“I have to go now.”
“Now?” He sounded surprised. We had only been talking for about half an hour, and that was a short conversation for us.
“Brent wants his room back, and I’m tired, so I wanna get to bed early today,” I lied.
“Oh…okay, sure.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Phil replied.
I wondered if it was disappointment I was hearing in his voice or if that was simply wishful thinking on my part. Either way, I needed to do some soul-searching. Because I was missing something in my life, and apparently, that something was purpose.
Chapter Five
Phil
I sat down opposite Kendrick and reached my hand out to take a couple of chips from the bag he was eating from.
“I have a question for you,” I said.
“Shoot,” Kendrick said.
“What would you do if there was this girl you liked?” I asked. “But she was off limits?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Wait, this isn’t a question…it’s advice.”
“What?”
“You’re coming to me for advice?” Kendrick sounded exceptionally pleased with himself.
I rolled my eyes. “And, I’m starting to regret it.”
