Hook & Ladder 69: Eighteen Authors...One Sexy Firehouse. Read online

  Still holding her hand, I bend down and whisper into her sweet little ear, “If you were my girl, nobody would call you Duff ever again.” Erin doesn’t move away, so I linger a little. Good God! She smells even better than she looks. Like baby powder and candy. I notice she has a tiny heart tattoo behind her ear. I move in, fully intending to lightly kiss it.

  Just then the alarm on my shoulder communicator goes off, ear raping us both and making us jump away from each other simultaneously.

  69. CODE ONE. All units. Five alarm at corner of Manchester and Taylor. Highly flammable material in building. Please respond immediately. Repeat. CODE ONE. Five alarm. Corner of Manchester and Taylor.

  “Oh, man, this is a big one. I… I gotta go. Dammit! Uh…” Why the fuck is this happening now? Just when we’re connecting.

  My crew runs toward me. Oz, my best friend and fellow newbie, looks me dead in the eye and yells, “Come on, Mattress! No time for the Romeo bit now!”

  Of course, we get called to a big fire when Oz is with me! He’s got a fucking black cloud following him around. All the worst calls come in when he’s on. I knew I shouldn’t have let him come to the store today.

  I hand the package of ground sirloin back to Erin. “Could you please hold my meat?”

  Erin laughs. I shrug. That joke was completely unintentional. I really do have to go. Property and lives are at stake.

  “I’ll pick it up later, okay?”

  “Sure, your uh… your meat is important to me.” She hugs the package to her chest.

  Lucky ground sirloin. That’s not her usual come back, but I smile and yell over my shoulder as I run to the rig, “I’ll bet it is!”

  This is the weirdest burgeoning relationship on earth. No two ways about it.

  Duff

  If I were his girl?

  Did he really just say that? I’m pretty sure that’s what Matt said. I think he was about to kiss my neck. I reach up to the place where his lips almost were. I don’t think I’m dreaming. If so, the sirens are really authentic sounding. I’m paralyzed between the counter and the prepared meals refrigerators.

  “Duff, what’s going on? There’s a line forming at the counter. They’re stackin’ up,” my dad barks from the back.

  Yeah, I’m not dreaming. “Oh… yeah.” Back to reality. Turning, I see several of our regulars queued up. They’re all smiling broadly. I guess they just saw my little chat with Matt. Ha! Chat with Matt. Cute. I need to get a grip.

  “Hi, Mrs. O’Donnell, Mrs. Prior, Mr. Coffield. I just need to put this in the back fridge and I’ll be right back.”

  “Oh, no problem, dear. Take your time,” Mrs. O’Donnell chirps. “We understand.”

  As I slip behind the counter, I overhear Mrs. Prior tell Mr. Coffield, “Hell, I’d be a little addled after flirting with that fine specimen of a man.”

  Mr. Coffield agrees wholeheartedly, “Me, too. I’d gladly help him with his beef.”

  Mrs. Prior cackles, “Eddie, you’re awful!”

  “I know, but you love it.”

  Mrs. Prior laughs loud enough for the deli girls to look up from their station across the store.

  I smile and laugh to myself. My senior citizen customers are pretty cool and surprisingly randy.

  The day goes a little more swiftly than most Thursdays because there’s a huge store-wide blowout sale. I help customers at the counter back to back while dad takes care of the call-in and special orders. It isn’t until three o’clock that I notice I’m getting hungry and that Matt hasn’t returned to pick up his order. It must be a serious fire. Or maybe he just forgot to come back.

  Dad calls the store manager. “Bob, hey listen, Duff and I have been working straight through since we opened. I gotta piss like a son-of-a bitch and the Duffer hasn’t eaten her lunch yet. Unless you wanna pay us overtime, we need our morning and lunch breaks now.”

  Bob says something, but Dad just keeps talking.

  “Well, it’s your dime. Okay. I don’t care who it is. Someone that can help the customers. A warm body.” He slams the phone down. “Don’t worry, little girl, helps on the way.” My dad is gruff and direct, but I’ll always be his little girl and I know he’ll always have my back.

  I’m surprised when Bob himself and Arthur, the assistant manager, come to cover.

  “Duff, Mike, go eat, get your break. We got this.”

  “Thanks, Bob,” I say.

  Dad just grunts and walks off to the break room.

  I stop to wash my hands and take off my hairnet in the hygiene area.

  When I get to the break room, Dad is standing in the middle of the room, staring at the television attached to the wall.

  The announcer passionately reports, “BREAKING NEWS! There is an enormous fire at Dunbar Paper Company in midtown. Persons in the area have been told to stay out of the three-block perimeter set up by the police. Surrounding buildings have been evacuated. It is unknown at this time if there is anyone still inside the building…”

  “Duff, c’mere. Look at that. That’s one hell of a fire. Paper factory. Is that where your boyfriend was going?”

  “My boyfriend?”

  “Yeah, that fireman you’ve been mooning over for the past few months.”

  “Da-ad! He’s not my boyfriend. I barely know him.”

  “Don’t think I don’t see things, little girl. I see you two talking. I know you spend more time getting ready in the morning on Thursdays. I’m middle-aged, not stupid.”

  “Jeez, was I that obvious?”

  “Yeah, so was he. Anyway, you think that’s where he is?”

  “I don’t know. The dispatcher did say five alarm. Is that five alarm?”

  “Probably more.”

  My question is answered by the announcer on the television. “Units from at least six stations have responded to this blaze. We know they are using every single ladder truck to try to get it under control. This just in, exclusive footage—”

  A video of the blaze shows fireman running toward the building and then a huge explosion from one side.

  “Several firefighters were caught in a backdraft in the rear of the building. They’ve been taken to a local hospital. It is believed one of the firefighters has suffered fatal injuries.”

  I think my eyes are playing tricks on me but I could swear the way one of the firemen was running… looked like Matt. Looked like the way he moves. I’ve watched him enough to know.

  My body abandons the ability to stand and I crumple to the ground, my eyes still locked on the screen, I lose focus as the tears begin to form and cloud my vision.

  One has suffered fatal injuries? Fatal? Is Matt one of the injured? Could he be… I don’t allow myself to finish the thought. No! We just found out each other’s names. I think he was going to kiss me. He was so close, I can still imagine the way he smelled, the warmth of his body. No! There’s no way…

  I don’t eat my lunch. I don’t pee or get a cup of coffee. I just watch the coverage for my entire break. My dad pulls up a chair, sits behind me and places a hand on my shoulder. My loud, opinionated father is unusually quiet. That, as much as anything the reporters are saying, tells me this is not a good situation.

  My dad pats my shoulder again, “Duffer, we have to go back to work. Can you do that?”

  “I don’t know, Dad. I think so.” I turn to him. “Is this really happening?”

  “We don’t know anything yet.”

  “Yes, we do. We know Station 69 is there.”

  “Okay, but we don’t know if your… Matt, is it?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “If Matt is there. I’ll tell you what, we’ll turn the radio on in the work area. That way we can keep up with what’s happening.”

  Dad grasps my shoulders and helps me to my feet.

  I have no idea how I get through the rest of my day. I just know, it’s five o’clock, my shift is over, we’re cleaning up the meat department, and according to the radio the fire is under control.

  K
nowing that the fire is almost out, I’m worried because Matt hasn’t come back for his ground sirloin.

  Mattress

  “Where the fuck am I?”

  There’s a really bright light above me. My head hurts. My body won’t move. My arm is fucking killing me.

  Then I hear a voice. A floaty voice. Sweet. Soothing. It’s close and far away at the same time. But I don’t see anyone. “Don’t worry, Mr. Wilson, it will all be over soon. You were so brave. You can rest now.”

  The light above me starts swirling. The pain is magically gone. I’ve never felt calmer or more at peace in my whole life. I want to walk right into that swirling light. It would be so easy… But, I can’t go anywhere. I don’t want to leave her.

  Somebody says, “Erin…” I wonder if it’s me.

  Duff

  My shift was over nearly six hours ago, but I haven’t left work. I can’t go home yet. I don’t know what to do with myself.

  What if Matt comes back?

  What if he doesn’t?

  I sit in the break room and watch the coverage of the fire. According to the reporter, the towering flames are out. The surrounding buildings have sustained some damage. They’ll be opening up the streets around the fire soon, and all but one of the ladders are gone. Station 69 has left the scene. Matt should be back at the firehouse by now. Maybe he just forgot about his order.

  And me. How unrealistic am I? I mean, really, what do I expect? The man was busy putting out a huge dangerous fire. I’m pretty sure picking up his groceries has slipped his mind.

  Unless, he’s not here because he was one of the injured. No names have been released. Or worse, the one that di—no! I don’t even allow myself to think it.

  Dad calls the fire station and asks about Matt. He puts it on speakerphone. “Sir,” the dispatcher replies, “I can tell you all vehicles are back at the station. Unfortunately, I cannot divulge if any member of the house is down until the next of kin has been notified. I really am sorry, I just can’t.”

  I don’t even try to hold back the tears. I just let them slide down my cheeks as I repeat her words, “Down? Next of kin?” I look up at my dad desperately. His lips press into a line and he shakes his head.

  Bergdier’s closes in ten minutes. If Matt doesn’t come back, what do I do then? Just go home? Why did I waste so much time flirting? Being shy and not asking his name? All those months. A huge waste. I don’t even have a way to contact him.

  The overhead speaker crackles and Arthur’ voice fills the break room and probably the whole store, “Erin Duffy, Please come to customer service. Erin Duffy, please come to the customer service desk.”

  Arthur is probably calling me to tell me to go home, which is his way of finding out if I clocked out at the end of the shift. I have no desire to talk to him or anyone. I just want to know where Matt is, and since I have no reliable source for information, I’m glued to the television for any scrap of anything.

  “Duffer, you need to go see what Arthur wants. You want me to go with you?”

  “Yes, please, Daddy.”

  I can see the end of the customer service desk from behind the meat counter, but I don’t see Arthur. I was hoping I could just yell an answer to him, but I suppose I have to go up to the front of the store now.

  When I get there with my dad trailing slightly behind me, it’s not Arthur I see, but three firefighters. I recognize them from Matt’s house. One of them is Oz, the guy Matt talks to all the time. Another is older and has a lot of medals and stuff on his jacket. I think he’s the chief. I’ve seen the third guy before. I’m pretty sure his name is Kitty or something weird like that. He looks upset, like he’s been crying.

  Why are three firemen here to see me? Oh, God! Matt. It’s Matt. Something is wrong. Very wrong.

  The older man shifts his weight and then removes his cap. “Miss Duffy?”

  I open my mouth to answer but an odd shrilly shriek comes out instead. When I finally find my voice, I immediately ask, “Matt? Where’s Matt? He’s okay, right?”

  “Miss Duffy.” The chief steps forward. “Firefighter Wilson was injured in the fire—”

  I cry out and my father wraps his arms around me. I can’t stop shaking.

  “Fortunately, his injuries were treatable.

  Oz and the other fireman move aside and there between them is Matt.

  My Matt.

  In a wheelchair. His face is streaked with ash and there’s a smear of blood on the side of his face. His arm is in a cast all the way up to his shoulder.

  He smiles up at me. “Erin,” he whispers like a prayer.

  At that moment in his smile at forty-five minutes to midnight, the sun comes out and lights up my world. Thursday could still be my favorite day. It isn’t forever ruined.

  The chief looks at Matt and continues, sounding annoyed, “He should be at the hospital, but he made us sign him out. He’s loopy from sedation. We tried to talk him out of leaving, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Evidently, there was a very important package he needed to pick up here.”

  Matt finally speaks, “Guys?”

  Oz looks at him. “Oh, yeah, right. McKitty give me a hand here.”

  “Enough with the McKitty, Oz! It’s McKinney and I’m your damn superior.”

  “Yeah, sorry, McKit—oops, sorry.”

  Matt’s eyes are pinned on me during the whole exchange. “Guys?” Matt says with more urgency.

  Oz and the Kitty guy help Matt to his feet. “There ya go, Mattress,” Oz says as he steadies him. Matt tries to take a step and loses his balance a bit. “Just take it slow.”

  The important package. He must mean the meat. “Oh, your package,” I say.

  The firefighters all smile, then press their lips together to suppress laughter.

  “I mean, your meat.”

  The laughter can no longer be contained and they laugh out loud, all of them except Matt. His expression has gone serious.

  I’m about to turn to go get the ground sirloin, but my dad blocks me.

  “No, not that package,” Matt gruffs out and motions to his buddies that he can move on his own and takes a step toward me. “Erin, don’t you see? You’re the important package. I had the guys bring me here. I didn’t know where else to find you. I can’t believe you’re still here. It’s way past quitting time for the day.”

  “I wanted to be here if you came back… for your meat.”

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I’d stay up all night for your meat.” I’m not talking about his meat at all. I’d have stayed at this store until next Thursday just for a chance to see Matt and here he is.

  “That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  I feel myself blush. Matt is now right in front of me. He wobbles a bit, so I reach out with both hands and hold his uninjured shoulder and his opposite hip.

  “Ow.”

  “Sorry, am I hurting you?”

  “Yeah, it hurts, but I’m feeling better now that you’re holding me.”

  Always flirting, even when he’s injured. I lower my head, shake it and then look up at him with a smile.

  “Matt, I know we don’t know each other very well, but I’m so glad you’re okay.” My voice catches and the tears start to well up in my eyes again. “I was worried. We only just really talked for the first time today. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t see you on Thursdays.”

  Matt thumbs away one of the tears that cut loose from my eye. His voice is thick with emotion as he pulls me closer. “Erin, we know each other. I’ve had a few hours and a lot of drugged out time to think about this. We’ve been getting to know each other for seven months. Today? The fire? It was a sign. A sign that life is short, so if it’s okay with you, I’m never waiting until Thursday again to see you. I want to see you every day.” He reaches up, pulls the hairnet I forgot to take off from my head, freeing my hair, and runs his fingers through it until his palms reach the back of my neck.

&nb
sp; “And I’d like to start with today.”

  I bring my face right up to his. I’m about to tell him, I’ll bet you do, but suddenly have a better idea. “Yes, today.”

  Matt closes the distance between us and kisses me. His lips communicate how he cares for me and how he missed me and how he worked diligently to get back to me. I can feel all of those things as our kiss deepens. His tongue glides across my lower lip and I open to give his tongue access.

  And there we are, making out right in front of customer service, and everyone else has disappeared.

  When we finally come up for air, my father, Arthur, the check out girls, baggers and the firefighters break into applause.

  “It’s almost midnight,” Matt whispers in my ear.

  Almost afraid of a Cinderella-like situation ruining the fairy-tale beginning of our love story, I ask, “What happens then?”

  Matt kisses my nose and nuzzles my ear before telling me, “Friday becomes my favorite day… as long as I’m with you.”

  Chapter 2

  Spark BY M.C. Cerny

  RYLAND

  “Who brought the pussy salad?”

  Oz, one of the rookies, sniffed around the spread of food on the covered picnic table. He picked up the chief’s dish, his grubby paws peeling back the plastic wrap, and my stomach growled territorially. My house. My food. Oz should know that by now, but he wasn’t one for respecting boundaries.

  “Oh that’s Ryland’s!” My battalion chief, Benjamin Flynn, leaned back from flipping the burgers and hot dogs on the grill and pointed at me with the tongs. He smiled like he had got some secret I didn’t know about while wearing a snazzy hot pink “kiss the cook” apron. The big bow tied over his ass kept me from taking him too seriously. Usually I ribbed him about it, but I knew Big Ben was desperate to knock up his pretty wife, Lily. For all I knew, the apron was some kind of role-playing thing I didn’t need to know about.

  “Bro–for real?” Oz snickered, picking up a frozen bean burger and smelling it.

  “Don’t knock it ’til you try it.” It’s a good thing I sent Benjamin and Lily out with my credit card earlier to pick up the burgers and hot dogs. Otherwise, it would be kind of hard to feed the guys and girls at a BBQ when I’m a vegan.