Chapter 22
Jace
Hayden heads off to work after we eat breakfast, leaving me with Mr. Wilder for the day. We always have a good time, playing cards or going on walks. He likes to play with Zeus, so today, he tagged along. Some days are better than others, and today isn’t a good day.
Helping Mr. Wilder to his chair, I get him all comfortable, and sit on the couch next to him. “You like your dog yet?” He gives me a sly smile that makes me laugh.
“He’s alright. It’s taken me a while to look at him without breaking down over what I lost that day.” Zeus jumps up in John’s lap, making himself at home right between his legs.
“You can only do so much, Jace, then it’s up to God.
You saved this dog, the very thing that boy was running after.
You kept his need to save him alive, love him, son.
Love him how that boy would have.” This man is a walking Hallmark card; his words are full of wisdom and love.
He’s preaching about a God I’m not sure I believe in, putting his hope in someone and something I can not see.
“Tell me about the Lady who's made an Eeyore out of you.” He smiles at me, his smile wide, making me laugh.
“I tried to get her to have dinner, and she basically told me to go to hell.” He nods, lifting his hand, waving me on to continue. “She said, all she sees is betrayal when she looks at me.”
“You know what helps with betrayal? Honesty. It isn't her fault that she doesn't know your situation if you haven’t told her. Nor is it your fault that you don't understand hers. It is called communication.” Yup, tried that. “Hurt is a hard thing to come back from; it takes time, and a lot of patience. You’ve been talking about this girl for as long as I’ve known you, something tells me, you can wait till she’s ready. ”
Letting a big sigh, “What if she never is?” He nods his head.
“That’s a possibility, but something tells me she just needs time and truth.
” He’s like a damn owl. I change the topic to work, and we talk about Hayden and how he is enjoying having his son here, but he feels like he’s stealing his time.
When really, he’s giving Hayden all the time he can, while he can, and that is far more important.
I decide to text Lilla. I have to keep trying; she needs to know why I didn’t come back right away. The boy I was wasn’t the man she deserved. I needed to grow up and figure out who I was before I could show her what she was missing, because fuck, have I missed her.
Jace:
Hey, Lil. It’s Jace. Can we talk?
Just as my phone hits the nightstand, it vibrates. My heart speeds up, hoping it’s her.
Lil:
Jace who?
Her response makes me smile. We got a funny lady tonight.
Jace:
The Jace who’s trying to steal your heart.
Lil:
Not gonna happen.
Try again in eight years.
I sit up in bed feeling an intense punch to the stomach. Well, for fuck sakes, she is not holding back her punches.
Jace:
I’m trying now.
And I'm going to keep trying until I succeed.
Lil:
You’re wasting your time.
Jace:
Got you to talk, didn’t I?
Good Night, Lil.
Lil:
??
With the fire season coming to a head, the Chief requires all firefighters to attend a mandatory meeting.
Hayden and I head into the training room together.
It feels good to be back on shift with him, even if it is for one day.
With fire season coming, I’m sure it’s going to turn into many days.
Fires don’t have schedules; we are on their time, whenever they pop up, for however long, and our job is to fight, to protect, and to save.
“Hello, thank you, everyone, for coming in. We have a lot to go over. We have additional training coming up, and wildfire readiness. We need to start preparing for these fires and be proactive rather than reactive. With that said, we will begin managing vegetation and removing hazardous trees. When we’re out there, take in your surroundings, look at hydration levels, and see if the wind is shifting.
Is it picking up? Slowing down? We can not change the weather, but we can understand it.
Our gear needs to be inspected; all PPE, hoses, and trucks need to be stocked and ready to go at any time.
That goes for you guys, too, Cody, Jace, your ambulances need to be just as stocked.
” We all start with training on the computer.
Getting ready for our field day tomorrow.
Hayden steps out to call his dad, but no luck.
An hour passes, and I try again, but there's no luck.
Hayden and I start getting anxious that the old man isn't answering.
I called my parents to check on him, but they are out of town for my mom's appointment, and all our friends are here with us.
“I can try to call one more person… but no promises.”
“That would be great, man, if not, let me ask her, she likes me.” He smiles.
I step out of the training room, dialing Lilla’s number. It rings for a while, just when I think she isn’t going to answer, she does.
“What?” Her voice is strong, sarcastic, and unforgiving.
“Don’t hang up.” I take a deep breath, “I need a favor, or really, Hayden needs a favor.” She’s quiet, so I continue.
“We are both at the station today for training, and his dad isn’t picking up the phone.
I asked my parents, but they are both out of town, and the people we know in this town are here in training with us…
Could you please stop over and check on him?
” I hear her sigh over the phone, and the dogs barking in the background.
“Okay, send me his address, and I’ll go check on him. My lunch is in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” Without another word, she hangs up.
Walking back into the training room, Hayden is pacing the floor. “She’s going to check on him.” He sits down next to me, slowly relaxing.