“He spent his free time being a volunteer firefighter in Geauga County! As soon as he graduated, he applied to work here. He’s thirty-one years old and still single. I don’t believe he’ll ever settle down or become a father, and until he does, it’s Unbirthdays every year,” his mother said with finality.
His teammates hid their laughter since Kevin changed girls more often than his shirts. He had many Unbirthdays in his future, it would seem.
“Seems logical, but—”
Baker interrupted Williams. “Mr. and Mrs. Jones, thank you. I always appreciate more insight into what makes my firefighters tick. However, it takes a certain type of mindset to be willing to run into a burning building. Your son has always been exemplary in the department. You are aware he has several commendations for bravery?” He tried to direct the conversation to Williams. “Isn’t that right, Captain?”
Erin couldn’t help but admire the Chief’s ability to smooth things over. First, he essentially acknowledged and calmed Kevin’s parents’ misgivings about their son’s career. Then he complimented Kevin’s steadiness in front of those parents and his colleagues and was giving Williams a moment to redeem himself.
“All very true. He is an amazing asset. He leaves an indelible mark on the team.” Williams concluded, faking some enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, his predecessor had no intention of letting Williams off the hook, same as he had treated Aiden. “When is Jones’s actual birthday, Captain?” Soto interjected.
Williams blinked. “I—I’m not sure.”
“Whose birthday is next?” Soto pressed his advantage.
“I—” Williams was off-balance.
“Stick with A-shift,” Soto suggested, getting slightly louder and more breathless with each word. “Surely if you can remember the difference between six grams of white versus wheat flour orhow many minutes it takes to get Freon toxicity, you can come up with a few birthdays.”
All other conversations stopped.
He continued, “Interesting.Mi sobrina, please help the Captain with whose birthday is next.”
Luna hesitated, feeling the pressure between the past, present, and future. “I’m not sure it’s my place.”
The team had expected to irritate Williams with the antics of the Unbirthday party. They had not expected Soto to give him a full dressing down in front of the fire chief and police chief. Maybe they should have. No one messed with his niece or processed carbs.
“Of course, it is. You’re his senior lieutenant. You’re supposed to supply the captain with information he doesn’t have. And it doesn’t sound like he has it.” Soto was relentless, ignoring the actual senior lieutenant Aiden and going in for the kill on Williams.
Help came from an unexpected source. Reyes spoke up, “Dejas de molestar al chico nuevo.” She whacked Soto on the arm. Now the police officers were staring.
“Pero dulce, es muy divertido,” Soto responded. From what Erin could follow, Reyes had told him to stop bothering the new guy and Soto called her ‘sweetie.’
“Te dare un poco de azucar.”
Luna choked on her noodles when Reyes asked Soto to give her a little sugar, and Elias instinctively slapped her on the back. “I’m okay.” She gagged, recovering well from her uncle hitting on the police chief.
Captain Williams was bright red too, so he understood exactly what was being said.
Reyes put her napkin down. “As much as I enjoy the joint training sessions, I have another meeting at headquarters. Kormos, you’ll see to the afternoon sessions? Try to keep it from getting too morbid.” She had one more farewell. “Good to see you, Matteo.”
“Let me walk you out. Maybe we can grab a quick dessert at Panera,” Soto offered.
“You aren’t staying for cake?” Luna asked, alarm evident in her eyes.
Williams pointed to the clock, “No time for cake. Time to clean up for the afternoon scenarios.”
“Too bad.” Kevin said, jumping on the opportunity to end his humiliation. “Mom, Dad, it was great to see you. But as Captain said, work time.”
Kevin and Theo escorted the parents and Drew out of the door. Everyone else cleaned up, including the Chief. Aiden and Vanessa helped Charlie carry all the food upstairs to the cafe, quietly giving the promised tour.
Erin was heading to the trashcan to throw away a few cups when she noticed the Chief was standing in front of her. He traded her cups for a small piece of legal paper and walked away.
She carefully unfolded it. It was the note she’d given him weeks ago. He’d added something under the word ROBOT.
“No one. She’ll be professional and turn them both down.”
