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Snaking my way through the day room, I maneuver around a few recliners facing the dark television and out to the bay where the fire trucks and rescue units are housed.
“Taylor.” The off going lieutenant greets me by my last name, in the bay.
“Anderson. Morning.” We shake hands.
“Mornin’. Only had a few calls yesterday, so everything is still well stocked. Hope you have as quiet of a shift as we did.” He smirks at me, knowing that saying the word ‘quiet’ has just jinxed my entire shift.
“Asshole.” I kid, as I take the clipboard from him and pull out the paperwork needed for the new shift.
Anderson laughs. “In all seriousness. Congrats on the move to this station, and if you need anything, just call me. I’ll be home after Sunday school and church.”
“Thanks man. Appreciate the offer.”
“Okay. I’m out. Stay safe.” Anderson calls over his shoulder as he leaves.
For the next two hours, me and my new crew clean the station, the bays, and the trucks. We checked all the gauges, pressures, medical supplies, and equipment to ensure everything was in working order. Since we’re located at the main station for Hibiscus Harbor Fire Department, we house a ladder truck, a fire truck, and a rescue unit, so there’s a lot of us on shift.
I follow the guys into the station. “How about some breakfast? My treat.” I call out.
Kane and Chance shake their heads. “No can do, LT. It’s Bagel Lady Day.”
“What’s ‘Bagel Lady Day’?”
“It’s when the pretty girl from across the street brings over bagels and coffee. It’s really the only reason I enjoy working on Sundays.” Waxman, the fire engineer, states. “If I was twenty years younger… oomph. I’d be up in all that.”
“And a fifty pounds lighter.” Calls out Peter from across the room. Everyone laughs and Waxman throws a balled-up piece of paper at Peter but misses him by a mile.
“At least I’d have a shot. I’m not sure she’d go for some tech nerd like you, Petey.”
“Then I wouldn’t fix her printer.” Everyone laughs just as the doorbell rings to the front door of the station.
“I’ll get it,” calls out Waxman with a smirk.
I turn to Kane, who is standing next to me in the kitchen. “Why does she bring over coffee and bagels? Is she looking for a tip or is she looking for a husband?”
He turns to me, “Definitely not looking for a husband. She’s turned everyone down.”
“So, a tip?”
Kane shakes his head. “Nope. She won’t take a dime.” He shrugs his shoulder. “I think she just enjoys being nice. I mean, there were rumors years ago about some kind of incident that happened in her past, so she likes to give back. But I’ve never asked, and the rumors seem to have died down.”
“Hi everyone. Good morning.” A woman with long and full dark hair, short legs and a megawatt smile calls out as she enters the room. “Ready for breakfast?” She brings over two carafes of coffee. She holds one up and then the other. “Leaded and unleaded.” I watch her place the carafes on the kitchen counter.
Waxman brings in two bags of bagels and places them on the dining room table. “Bagels aplenty. Eat up, boys.”
“Oh, I also brought some homemade cream cheese with jalapeños from my garden, just for you, Ricardo.” The brunette pulls out a small white container and hands it to Ricardo.
“Gracias, senorita.” He takes the container and kisses the woman on the cheek, and she blushes.
I don’t even know her name.
I don’t know why she brings bagels and coffee to the fire station on Sundays.
And I don’t know her from Eve.
But the amount of jealousy I feel seeing her receive a harmless peck on the cheek is ridiculous.
“Oh, Kate. Meet our new lieutenant. Hudson Taylor.” Chance points to me as he stuffs a bite of a bagel in his mouth. “LT, meet our Bagel Lady, Kate.”
