porch and the door slams behind me. I stand there for a second and take the view in. Horns honk in the distance, birds chirp, the wind rustles through the trees, and I’m alone on the steps of a house I used to come home to.
It finally occurs to me – what if my father says no? Our relationship is rocky and has been for as long as I can remember. I’m not even sure if I can take his snide remarks, but it’s my only option to have a roof over my head tonight. And I need to do something about my tour today. I’m sure my captain will have no problem with me calling in after what happened yesterday with the little girl. In fact, it’s doing him a favor.
I lug my clothes behind me, feeling the ache in my body. I forget to grab the keys to my truck, but when I knock on the door again, Rose doesn’t answer. Rather than have another unpleasant encounter with my wife, I decide to walk. What else do I have to do today? Maybe the fresh air will make me feel better. Maybe this will give me some time to think more about everything that is occurring.
My father doesn’t live far away, but my pace is slow as I walk. I make a quick stop at the firehouse since it’s on the way, though I think it is a mistake. I grab the probie’s attention as he’s washing the rig and pull him aside. His eyes are wide as he takes note to my appearance. I haven’t looked in a mirror, but I can surmise that I look like some of the scary images I’ve been seeing.
“Lieutenant Gallagher, are you okay? What happened?” His eyes shoot to the suitcase, and I feel my face heat up. He doesn’t ask why I have it, and I’m glad. I can’t even think up a quick fib to justify having it with me.
“I’m fine. Listen, can you go get the Captain? I need to talk to him, but I don’t wanna go inside. Can you do that for me?”
The young candidate nods. “Why don’t you wanna go in? Lieutenant, we’re all worried about you.”
“I’m fine. I’m just having some…” I snap my fingers as I try to think up something. “I’m having some health issues. I’ll be back before you know it. Can you get him, please? And don’t tell anyone else I’m here.” I know for certain that word will spread quickly at what is going on. I’ll have to make it quick with my superior.
I lean against the building, out of view. I push my luggage behind a nearby bush, certain that if he sees it, he’ll give me the third degree. I’m shocked at how soon he comes out. His brow is creased and he’s either frustrated or worried – I can’t tell.
“Lieutenant Gallagher.” His voice is stern as he folds his arms over his chest. “I’d like to say you leaving your tour early yesterday did you a favor, but it doesn’t appear so. Care to explain?”
Shit, I haven’t even thought up an excuse as to what happened. I could tell him the truth, but a lot of good that has done me so far. “I had a rough night. I don’t think I’ll be able to work today.”
He nods and lets out a sarcastic laugh. “No kidding! You still didn’t answer me. What in the hell happened?”
“There was someone in my house last night.” It wasn’t a lie. There really was. “I ended up having to go to the ER. I’m fine now and I hate to not come in.”
“I wouldn’t let you. Go home and get some rest, Gallagher. I don’t think you’re scheduled to come back for a few more days. Take advantage of that. I need you back in action. I need you healthy. I need you here mentally.”
“I’m fine mentally, Sir.”
He moves closer to me, so close that I can smell his aftershave. “Talking to dead little girls says otherwise, Lieutenant. Make it right and get back on the truck. We’ll be fine until then.” He pats me on the shoulder and walks back to the garage.
Of course some of the other guys are there, attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation. I nod toward them and head toward my father’s house. I’m still not sure how I’m going to handle that conversation, but I
It finally occurs to me – what if my father says no? Our relationship is rocky and has been for as long as I can remember. I’m not even sure if I can take his snide remarks, but it’s my only option to have a roof over my head tonight. And I need to do something about my tour today. I’m sure my captain will have no problem with me calling in after what happened yesterday with the little girl. In fact, it’s doing him a favor.
I lug my clothes behind me, feeling the ache in my body. I forget to grab the keys to my truck, but when I knock on the door again, Rose doesn’t answer. Rather than have another unpleasant encounter with my wife, I decide to walk. What else do I have to do today? Maybe the fresh air will make me feel better. Maybe this will give me some time to think more about everything that is occurring.
My father doesn’t live far away, but my pace is slow as I walk. I make a quick stop at the firehouse since it’s on the way, though I think it is a mistake. I grab the probie’s attention as he’s washing the rig and pull him aside. His eyes are wide as he takes note to my appearance. I haven’t looked in a mirror, but I can surmise that I look like some of the scary images I’ve been seeing.
“Lieutenant Gallagher, are you okay? What happened?” His eyes shoot to the suitcase, and I feel my face heat up. He doesn’t ask why I have it, and I’m glad. I can’t even think up a quick fib to justify having it with me.
“I’m fine. Listen, can you go get the Captain? I need to talk to him, but I don’t wanna go inside. Can you do that for me?”
The young candidate nods. “Why don’t you wanna go in? Lieutenant, we’re all worried about you.”
“I’m fine. I’m just having some…” I snap my fingers as I try to think up something. “I’m having some health issues. I’ll be back before you know it. Can you get him, please? And don’t tell anyone else I’m here.” I know for certain that word will spread quickly at what is going on. I’ll have to make it quick with my superior.
I lean against the building, out of view. I push my luggage behind a nearby bush, certain that if he sees it, he’ll give me the third degree. I’m shocked at how soon he comes out. His brow is creased and he’s either frustrated or worried – I can’t tell.
“Lieutenant Gallagher.” His voice is stern as he folds his arms over his chest. “I’d like to say you leaving your tour early yesterday did you a favor, but it doesn’t appear so. Care to explain?”
Shit, I haven’t even thought up an excuse as to what happened. I could tell him the truth, but a lot of good that has done me so far. “I had a rough night. I don’t think I’ll be able to work today.”
He nods and lets out a sarcastic laugh. “No kidding! You still didn’t answer me. What in the hell happened?”
“There was someone in my house last night.” It wasn’t a lie. There really was. “I ended up having to go to the ER. I’m fine now and I hate to not come in.”
“I wouldn’t let you. Go home and get some rest, Gallagher. I don’t think you’re scheduled to come back for a few more days. Take advantage of that. I need you back in action. I need you healthy. I need you here mentally.”
“I’m fine mentally, Sir.”
He moves closer to me, so close that I can smell his aftershave. “Talking to dead little girls says otherwise, Lieutenant. Make it right and get back on the truck. We’ll be fine until then.” He pats me on the shoulder and walks back to the garage.
Of course some of the other guys are there, attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation. I nod toward them and head toward my father’s house. I’m still not sure how I’m going to handle that conversation, but I
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