“We heard, Captain,” Don interjected, sounding as if it was no big deal.
“I’m sure you all have.” Captain looked around at all of us in there. “There’re some other shake-ups that are taking place. Rescue Four’s been without a captain and the sufficient number of lieutenants for some time now. As your captain for the last five months, I can say it has been an honor and a privilege, and I look forward to many more years at Rescue Four. But a captain can’t do it alone. We need others to step up and take charge when we’re unable to. I’m well aware of the tragedy that befell one of our previous lieutenants.” He paused, and the air got thick around us; each one of us remembering our fallen lieutenant. The sound of the bagpipes that played at his funeral stuck out most in my memory. “And out of respect, the department waited to fill the position. In addition to just being their usual slow selves.” We all chuckled at the fire department’s notoriously slow turnaround times. “But that wait is over,” he continued. “The department has assigned two new lieutenants to Rescue Four. Some of you already know our Eric Kim here took the lieutenant’s exam. Passed it with flying colors and sailed through the interview process. And though it’s still unofficial while we wait for the paperwork, Harvard is one of our newest lieutenants.”
I was nearly knocked over when Carter and Don’s strong hands clapped me on the back in congratulations. Corey pushed both of them out of the way, yanking my hand for a handshake, and briefly wrapping his free arm around me. “No one deserves this more than you,” he said in my ear before pulling back.
I became surrounded by the guys as they congratulated me and told me how they always looked to me as their lieutenant anyway.
“But it’s nice to get the pay bump to accompany the responsibility,” Don joked, making us all laugh.
They took a few more minutes joking about how this called for a new hazing process. That idea was nixed when I quickly reminded them all that I knew all the nooks and crannies of this stationas well aswhere all their own personal dirt was buried. No one spoke of trying me after that. New lieutenant or not, I wasn’t new to this job, this station, or these men.
“Hey, Cap, you said Harvard was one of two new lieutenants. Who’s the second?” Carter asked once it quieted down a little.
“’Bout time you paused kissing Harvard’s ass to ask about your other lieutenant.” He waited while the roar of laughter died down. The captain was gaining the respect of the men, and he’s even loosened up a bit around us. “Your new lieutenant …” He trailed off and he took a glance back over his shoulder, as a large form appeared in the doorway of the kitchen.
“Aw hell no!” Corey called out.
“This is bullshit!” Don yelled at the same time.
Their cries were accompanied by a few other grumblings from the other guys in the room.
“What’s this, a family affair?” Don asked me.
I lifted my brows at him, just as surprised at this turn of events as anyone else.
“You’re dating his sister, and now you both are our lieutenants,” Don continued.
“Watch your damn mouth about my sister.” Sean mean mugged Don as he fully entered the kitchen, dropping his duffel bag in front of him. “Hello, fellas,” he greeted, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.
“Rescue Four, your second new lieutenant is Lieutenant Sean Moore, formerly of Rescue Two.”
Sean’s reception was much less enthusiastic than the one I was given just a few minutes prior. A few of the guys who knew Sean from previous calls gave him a head nod, but the rest of us just stared at him. To his credit, he stared us down right back, not blinking or averting his gaze. Every new guy got their hazing, and this was just the beginning for Sean, but he didn’t seem too worried about it, and neither was I. Over the last few months Sean and I developed a friendly rapport. He was protective of his sister at first, naturally, but something changed after the anniversary of his parents’ death. I suspect Angela told him about my going to her at the cemetery, but he never mentioned it. Either way, I wasn’t surprised that he got the lieutenant job. He waited longer than I did, having taken the test the previous year. Also, coming from another rescue station, I figured he’d have an easier time adjusting.
I looked over at Sean as Don approached him. “Just know, you’re not playing in the minor leagues anymore. This ain’t Rescue Two,” Don growled, bumping his shoulder and departing the kitchen. Instead of taking offense, Sean laughed. More of the guys followed Don out until it was just the captain, Sean, and I.
“Good luck,” Captain Waverly chuckled, patting a firm hand on Sean’s shoulder, before leaving as well. He was leaving it up to us to figure it out. At any station, the captain is like the parent of squabbling teenagers. And like any already stressed out parent of teens should know, unless there’s bloodshed, you let the siblings figure it out amongst themselves. It makes their bond that much stronger. The captain would let us haze Sean as needed and either he’d step up or step out. As long as things didn’t go too far, Captain would leave us to our devices.
“Welcome to Rescue Four,” I finally said, approaching Sean. “Hope you brought your helmet.”
“I brought that and so much more,” he retorted.
I nodded. “Good. You’ll need it.” I started to walk out at the same time the alarm sounded. Sean would get his first baptism by fire with Rescue Four early. We both hustled to retrieve our gear and hopped in the rig, the thrill I always got when jumping in the driver’s seat of the rig, overcoming me, as we pulled off.
God, I love this shit.
****
Eric
God, I love her,I thought, a hint of a smile gracing my face. To most people in the crowd would likely guess the smile had more to do with where I was standing than the woman who was looking on from the audience. They’d be wrong. Sure, I was proud as hell to be dressed in my navy blue dress uniform, standing on stage while the Chief of the Fire Department made a speech. Soon he would begin the pinning ceremony, giving myself, Sean, and a number of other guys our official lieutenant pins, followed by those receiving their captain pins. But as I stood under the hot lights of the stage, listening to a speech that was rather uninteresting, my gaze kept going to the tawny eyes that reminded me of an angel. She sat in the audience, eyes planted on me, and full of pride. Goosebumps skittered up my skin, when her lips parted, her smile bursting on her lips.
It wasn’t until I saw her clapping that I blinked, noticing the rest of the audience began applauding as well. I turned back to the chief and realized he was beginning the pinning process.
About time.My eagerness was beginning to get to me; the ring box I held in my pocket began feeling heavier by the moment. I twisted my hands into fists at my side, silently urging him to hurry up. I looked to my right and caught Sean’s eye. He gave me a hint of a smile before turning out into the audience, his lips spreading wider when he put eyes on his son, who sat next to Angela. He already knew my plans for after the ceremony, as I went to him to inform him of my intentions. I wasn’t one to ask permission, but as Angela’s closest family member and someone I now worked with, I thought it’d be good to let him know where I stood.
I glanced toward my left and finally saw that the chief had reached the guy next to me. I was next.
“On behalf of the Williamsport Fire Department and the City of Williamsport, congratulations on successfully meeting the requirements for the role of lieutenant. Rescue Four is lucky to have such strong leadership.” He lowered his voice on that last part. He removed the badge sitting on the left side of my chest and replaced it with the official lieutenant badge.
