Chapter 10
David
I hope that asking WidowinGV for her phone number doesn’t change anything between us. If she’d rather not at this point, it’s okay, but typing out these messages is giving me anxiety. I know it’s her. I just know it’s Tori.
The guys at work have even started to question who it is I’m chatting with all the time, although I’m not sure I’m ready to divulge anything yet. Not until I know for certain.
I almost said something when Tori called mid-week to see if I minded stopping by the house to check on things for her, but what if I’m wrong? What kind of a fool would that make me? Insinuating that she’s on a dating site. But if I’m right…
I think that her getting away is a good thing. I’m just sorry we couldn’t have coordinated something when I was off for those few days last week. The idea of her traveling alone worries me even though she knows I’m only a phone call away.
It's nearly dusk when dispatch alerts us to a possible fire. I quickly suit up in my turnout gear and head to the truck. I pause when the dispatcher says it’s likely children are trapped inside. That day with Kyle will haunt me for the rest of my life.
* * *
It takes three engines, fifteen men, and four hours to fully extinguish the blaze, and by the time we get back to the station, I’m ready to collapse. Never mind the fact we have to prepare the truck for the next call before we are dismissed.
As it turned out, no one was home when the fire broke out but that didn’t stop the father from trying rush inside to save a few momentous things that belonged to his kids.
It was heartbreaking watching him and wife hold onto one another as everything they owned was destroyed.
As soon as we realized the house was too far gone to be saved, we had to shift our focus on the other houses surrounding it.
Standing underneath the hot stream of water, I’m completely numb.
My body begins to tremble as the dispatcher’s voice replays inside my head—the voice from two years ago as well as the voice from earlier.
I lean my head against the side of the shower and weep uncontrollably.
Thank goodness no one can hear me over the sound of the water.
Why? Why did it have to be Kyle? Why couldn’t it have been me?
I get several stares from a few of the guys when I’m done but no one has the heart to say anything.
They all know it’s a battle I’ll deal with as long as I remain a firefighter.
I pull my phone out of my pants pocket and flip it back and forth between my hands.
If only I had someone to talk to right now.
I pull up my messages and my heart drops when I see there’s still no reply from WidowinGV. I made a mistake asking for her number, and I realize that now. I just hope it doesn’t change things. I’ve grown quite fond of our chats, and I’d hate to know we may never converse again because of that.
My heart begins to pound in my chest when I see she a message alert come through. Maybe she just needed some time to think about it. Who knows, maybe she’s getting ready to tell me we’re done, that she’s deleting me from her contacts. Would she take the time to say that though?
If my heart was beating rapidly just moments ago, it nearly bursts when her reply finally appears on the screen.
(206)118-1412
Though I don’t memorize phone numbers anymore, I would recognize that one anywhere.
Tori’s.
Instead of getting any sleep, I spend the rest of the night and the first hours of the morning on the phone with my best friend. Because that’s exactly what she is. Someone that I care deeply about that knows everything about me. Well, almost everything.
The guys all think I’m crazy for being on the phone for so long and yeah, well, maybe I am.
As soon as I get home, I punch in the number for the airlines and wait to find out how soon I can catch a plane to Rigsby Ralls.
Though I could drive there, doing so after having no sleep wouldn’t be the smartest or safest thing to do.
With my phone pressed tightly to my ear, I begin to throw things into a carryon. If this trip is meant to be—.
“Sir, I apologize for the delay,” the airline attendant says.
“It’s okay. Were you able to find out anything?” I know I sound like an overzealous kid waiting for the release of a new video game, but I want to see Tori so badly. I want to embrace her and hold her close.
“How quickly can you get here? I have a direct flight into Rigsby Falls leaving in an hour.”
“I’m on my way,” I blurt and end the call.