Chapter Two #3
Nora tilted her head as if thinking, though this was no challenge for her. “Ear and eye protection, hard hat, high visibility vest, and Kevlar chaps and gloves.”
He bowed to her as Gwen said, “Damn, girl.”
“Step right up, Nora Palmer, and be served.”
Scattered applause broke out as Nora examined the saws. None looked “out of the box” new, but that was fine. She wanted one that was broken in, and they all seemed in good condition. She carefully touched a couple of the chains, finding them sharp as expected.
She laid her hand on the one in front of her, and Hal said, “Excellent choice.” He eyed her in a strictly professional way. “You’re a tall one.”
“She’s not alone,” Jade said, pulling Fallon to the front.
“Twin peaks, huh?” Hal mused. He turned to a stack of items behind him, coming back with two sets of chaps. “You two try these on while I work with some of the others.”
Nora stepped to the side, Fallon following her tentatively. “What are these?” she whispered, holding the garment at arm’s length.
“Chaps. Probably men’s sizes.” Nora held them up at her waist. “But I think they’ll be okay.” Fallon hadn’t moved. “Try them on,” Nora ordered.
“I don’t…I haven’t ever…”
Nora wasn’t surprised that Fallon had no experience with PPE.
She’d noticed her looking at the chainsaws with near panic.
She tried to soften her tone. “They go over your legs. Mainly for protection but also to help keep your pants clean. Just do what I’m doing.
” She fastened the belt at her waist, watching Fallon as she did.
“Good. Maybe that will help keep those jeans up.” Nora had meant it as a tease, but Fallon blushed and looked down.
“Yeah. I guess I’ve lost some weight recently. But I couldn’t shop for anything new because…” She looked away, and Nora recalled the few dollars Fallon had offered her father.
“I’m just kidding. You’re doing fine.” Nora finished putting on her chaps, pointing to herself again. “Now, wrap the straps around your legs like this.”
Fallon nodded. “I see.” They seemed to fit her well. “But what about…” She indicated the unprotected space on the insides of her thighs.
“If your saw gets up there, your life won’t be worth living anyway.” Nora hated hearing her father’s words come out of her mouth, but they were apt in this case.
Fallon stared at her for a few seconds and then began laughing with a deep, unaffected resonance that made Nora join in.
“I suppose you’re right,” she said when they’d caught their breath.
“I haven’t laughed like that in a long time.
” She gave herself a little shake. “It sure does make me feel a little less anxious.”
“Good.” Nora heard herself sounding more encouraging than she intended, but Fallon smiled, and she couldn’t be sorry. Enough of that. She looked back toward Hal. “We’re done.”
He looked over. “Those fit okay?”
“Do you have any extra Velcro?” Nora asked, moving away abruptly. “I’d like these legs a little tighter.”
“I think we can fix you up,” he said. “Come get the rest of your equipment.”
The shadows were lengthening by the time the Women’s Plus Crew was completely outfitted.
Everyone moved a little awkwardly in their new gear.
Kennedy’s hat seemed ready to fall off, and Delores was trying to fix Hannah’s eye protection, which was slightly askew on her face.
Gwen and Tina were complaining about everything from the weight of the saw to the bright color of their vests when a forest ranger stepped from the main building.
She approached, and something in her manner as she appraised them made everyone quiet down and stand a little straighter.
“Good afternoon,” she said, and everyone answered in unison.
“I’m Reva Upshaw, Forest Service liaison to the Southern Conservation Corps Firecamp program.
I want to welcome you all and commend you for being part of the Women’s Plus Crew.
Your work this summer will add to the outstanding reputation established by previous crews, who have shown to the SCC what women are capable of.
I’m confident that after this summer, the rest of the world will know it too. ”
Fallon started to applaud, but Upshaw held up her hand.
“I also want you all to know that you are contributing to something incredibly important. You’ll be making neighborhoods and towns safer, and by helping to prevent large-scale forest fires, you’ll be keeping tons of carbon from being released into the atmosphere that would contribute to climate change.
So thank you for stepping in and making a meaningful contribution to our state and our planet. ”
Upshaw moved around the group, making encouraging comments as she shook everyone’s hand. Nora thought she saw her give Fallon a wink, but it happened so fast, she wasn’t sure. When Upshaw took her leave after giving the group another wave, Hannah cleared her throat. “Wow. She’s something.”
Fallon nodded, giving a little sigh. “Yeah. She’s the reason I’m here.”
At that, the warmth that Upshaw’s words had given Nora suddenly cooled.