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CHAPTER2
david
Isit in my truck with the air conditioning blasting against my face. It’s hard to believe it’s this warm already and it’s not even noon yet.
I cut my own yard as soon as the grass was dry this morning and I hope it’s not too early for me to be here at Tori’s. I was here a little more than a week ago, but with rain predicted for the remainder of the week, I’d rather cut the grass now rather than put it off.
I lift the bottle of ice-cold water to my lips and finish it off. Staring at the clouds in the sky, my mind begins to drift.
“Kyle, stay with me, buddy! Kyle, don’t you leave me!” I yell as I drag my best friend’s body towards the front entryway.
Kyle and I are about the same size but add the weight of his coat, pants, and boots, he’s every bit twenty pounds heavier.
“Help! Somebody help us, please!”
I squat down next to Kyle as I try to catch my breath. His face slouches to the side while his chin rests against his shoulder.
“Damn you, Kyle! Kyle!” I scream. Over and over, I shout his name. I feel relief when he brushes his hand against my leg.
Despite the burns to his face, Kyle struggles to open his eyes. Our gazes lock and an awful feeling washes over me.
“Kyle! Kyle!” I shout.
“Dave,” he winces from the obvious pain he’s in. “Dave, promise me you’ll—.”
“I’ll do anything you want. Tell me. Tell me, Kyle. Don’t you dare leave me buddy.”
“Please take care of Tori for me. Look out for her and make sure she’s taken care of. Most of all, tell her I love—.”
Kyle’s voice trails off.
I know he’s gone.
“Kyle,” I manage between sobs. “Kyleeeeee!
I’m not sure if it’s a tear or sweat, but I reach up and wipe the moisture from my face. It’s been two years since I lost my best friend and I still remember everything about that day as though it were yesterday.
Tori’s grass isn’t going to get cut if I keep sitting here, so I climb out of my truck and set to work unloading the mower.
The first couple times I came over, Tori was adamant she didn’t need any help—that she could handle the yard work on her own. She insisted that working in the yard was therapeutic and helped keep her mind off things. I couldn’t argue with that, but I made a promise to Kyle, and I wasn’t going to let him down. So, I started to come over when I knew she wouldn’t be at home. If she wanted to tend to her flower beds, that was fine, but everything else I’d make sure was taken care of.
Now, she doesn’t say anything about it. Some days she sticks her head out the door and waves and other times I never hear a peep out of her. She did surprise me a few weeks ago when she put a container of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies inside the cab of my truck without my knowing along with a sweet thank-you note. I must admit, Kyle was a lucky son-of-a-gun and it’s a shame his life was taken at such a young age. But you know, Kyle was living his dream and had he known he was going to perish in a fire while saving someone’s life, he would still have chosen to become a firefighter.
The blinds are still closed in the front window, and I have to wonder if today’s one of those not-so-good days she’s still prone to having. I still have them too, so judging her is not an option.
I’m almost done with the front yard when I look up and see her standing on the front porch, a coffee mug clenched between both hands. Tori’s face lights up when I wave and it’s nice to see a smile on her face, even if it’s still slightly broken.
I ride the mower up to the house and shut off the engine.
“Morning.” I remove my cap and wipe the sweat from my forehead with the towel I keep draped around my neck. “I hope I didn’t wake you by getting an early start. I wanted to beat the rain we have moving in.”
“Not at all, David. I can’t say I blame you,” she replies and takes a sip from her mug.
Tori might not think so, but she sure is cute this morning leaning against the banister with her leg crossed over her ankle. Even if she still has on her pajamas. I try not to stare, but it’s the truth.
“We’re supposed to have rain the next few days. Not that I have anything going on but looks like I could’ve picked a better time to be off for a few days.”
“Oh, you’re taking a vacation. Good for you,” she says. “You deserve it.”
