Chapter 40 – Grady
CHAPTER FORTY
GRADY
“You watching this?”
I stare at the news on television and watch the destruction unfold. “Yeah,” I say to my dad, who sits patiently on the other end of the phone. “We’ve already been given notice. If they can’t contain it, we’ll be called up.”
The fire rages on the screen. It marches up the hill and eats the dry vegetation as if it’s starving. Black clouds of smoke billow. Lines of yellow jackets from the strike team edge the top part of the screen as they try to cut a fire line into the hill to slow down its progress.
“It’s already doubled in size in less than four hours.”
“I’m aware,” I murmur.
This used to be what I lived for. The thrill of the fire. The unexpected pull. That tingle in my belly, telling me I get to be a part of it.
“You gonna be able to handle it?”
And for the first time in almost two years, I feel the hum in my veins. It’s welcome. It’s scary. It may very well disappear if we get called up, but for now, I’ll take what I can get.
“Yeah. I’ll be able to handle it.”
“It’s the season. Long, dry summer. Santa Ana winds. If it isn’t this one, it will be another one.”
I nod even though he can’t see it. He’s planting the seed I need to prepare for facing the fire as if I haven’t been already. “I know.”
“I have faith in you, Grady. Face everything and rise.”
“I know, Dad. I’m trying.”
“You call me when you know.”
“I will.”
I end the call and watch the fire rage on. Petunia roots around, her grunts become background noise. The chords from Dylan’s guitar as she works through one of her final songs push through her closed door.
The world keeps moving as the fire rages on and destroys someone else’s property.
House.
Life.
World.