Chapter 2
David
I sit 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 than put it off for later.
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.
“Kyle! Kyle!” I scream. Over and over, I shout his name. I feel relief when his hand brushes 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 continue to 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 cutting the grass 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 back on my word.
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.
Kyle was living his dream though, 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.”
“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. So what if she’s barefooted and 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,” I point out. “Not that I have anything going on but looks like I could’ve picked a better time to take some days off.”
“Oh, you’re taking a vacation? Good for you,” she says. “You deserve it.”
“Well, not exactly a vacation. One of the guys is getting ready to go on a cruise and someone else needed to tend to a personal matter. By rearranging our schedules, I’m covering for them and they’re working for me now.
Come next week,” I let out a laugh and shake my head.
“I might regret volunteering for the additional shifts. Let’s just hope it’s an uneventful week. ”
“Oh, David,” she says, her tone so soft-spoken and kind. “You’re always so generous, looking out for everyone else. I’m sure they’re grateful to have you cover for them.”
“Yeah, well, it’s not like I have anything else planned.” I shrug my shoulders then quickly look away when I realize I’m staring at her again.
I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve been asked why I’m still single. Why I haven’t settled down and started a family of my own yet. And my response has always been the same. “Is that such a terrible thing? What’s wrong with being single?”
I know it’s not the answer they’re looking for, but is there something wrong with a guy that prefers the single life?
I know deep down, that’s not really true.
I’d much rather be doing the wife, kids, SUV thing, but that’s not in the cards for me.
Not right now, anyways. Being a firefighter is an exception to the rules and there’s no room for negotiations.
First and foremost, that takes priority in my life.
Kyle got lucky when he met someone like Tori, someone that graciously understood his commitment to his career.
“Can I get you a water or something?” Tori asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Uh, sure.”
I watch as she walks back into the house, one bare foot carefully in front of the other across the wooden planks on the porch.
I remember the day she and Kyle signed the papers on this place—a little three bedroom, two bath fixer-upper. They couldn’t wait to begin remodeling and adding their own unique touches. Heck, I’d helped them that same night move the first piece of furniture into the living room.
Tori’s had it rough ever since David died. It’s been hard on me too, losing a best friend and work partner all at the same time. I’m hopeful, though, that one day we’ll be able to talk about the great guy David was without tearing up.
I watch as the clouds begin to move overhead, making the sky an ominous gray blob. The rain is going to arrive sooner rather than what was first predicted the way the wind has suddenly intensified. If it means things will cool off, I’m all for it. Except I’d like to get Tori’s lawn finished first.
After a few moments, I begin to wonder if she forgot the bottle of water she offered me.
It’s no big deal if she did—I’ve got my own cooler in the truck—I just worry that something may have happened.
Using my foot, I kick at several clumps of dried grass stuck to the side of my mower. The wind swirls it in all directions.
I look back at the front door one more time before cranking the mower again because it’s not like Tori to forget. I’m probably overthinking things, but my gut tells me I should check on her. Well…just because.
Brushing the grass clippings from my jeans, I step down from the mower and walk up onto the porch. I hadn’t realized it until now, but my clothes are wringing wet. As soon as I’m done here, I’m headed straight home for a shower.
“Tori?” I call out and lightly knock on the door.