“On that note, I need to head out.” My mother’s face instantly falls, and it nearly breaks me. “It’s about a four-hour drive, but I need to be there in time to collect the keys from the rental office before they close. I want to get moving in case there’s traffic on the way.”
A forced smile curls the corner of her lips that doesn’t match the look in her eyes. “Be safe, Trevor. Call me as soon as you get there, so I don’t worry.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I give her another bear hug, lifting her five-foot-three frame from the floor. Usually, this would elicit a familiar warm laugh, but her silence continues to pull at my heart strings. I know my leaving will be tough on her.
I’ve called Hanover home my whole life. Before entering the fire academy, I attended a local university, obtaining my undergraduate degree in homeland security and emergency medical services. I’ve returned to college to get my Master’s in information technology. Working as a firefighter allows for a lot of downtime. We typically work about ten twenty-four-hour shifts per month on a permanent rotation. This schedule will enable me to have a second career on the side.
I’ve always enjoyed working with computers. They offer the technical challenge I crave to balance out the physical demands of my full-time job. “Focus on those grandbabies. You’ll have plenty to keep you busy while I’m gone. And I’ll be back for a visit before you know it.”
“Did you get a chance to say goodbye to Noah, Becca, and the kids?”
“Yeah. Saw them yesterday. I’m going to miss those rugrats. I love ’em, but those boys are wild. Spending more than an hour with them is the best birth control on the planet.”
“Hush your mouth, Trevor. Those sweet babies are no trouble at all.”
“I’m just playing, Ma. They’re fine. I’m just at a different place in my life. I wouldn’t know what to do if I had kids right now.”
“Well, I’m sure glad it didn’t happen with Ashley,” she mutters under her breath.
Isn’t that the damn truth!
As I reach the door, she screeches, “Oh, I almost forgot. Hold on for a second.” Whirling toward the kitchen, Mom runs as if dispatched on a five-alarm blaze.Here we go.This woman is so predictable.
“Jeez, Mom. I’m twenty-eight. It’s not like I’m leaving for summer camp. You didn’t need to make all of this.”
Glowering at me, she barks, “You’ll take this cooler of food and like it, young man. You’re just moving in and won’t have time to make yourself anything to eat. You probably won’t even get groceries until tomorrow.”
It suddenly occurs to me that this town may not have large grocery stores open into the late evening as I’ve become accustomed to here. It’s probably a good thing Mom packed a little something. “Umph.” Correction, it’s a good thing she packed a lot of something. “What have you got in here? Thanksgiving dinner?”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she gives me a dramatic eye roll. “It’s not that much.”
I cock a brow at her in response.
“This will only hold you for a few days. But hopefully, you’ll think of me when you’re eating those white chunk macadamia nut cookies you like so much and feel guilty enough about leaving me to give your poor mother a call.”
“Mom.” I huff, exasperated.
“Out you go. Wear your seatbelt-”
“Okay, okay. And brush my teeth and eat my vegetables. Just because it’s the first time I’m moving out of town doesn’t mean I haven’t been able to take care of myself for the last ten years.” I need to get going, or this conversation will last all day. After placing the overstuffed cooler into my silver Suburban, I avoid eye contact with her as I blow a kiss and start the ignition. Hell, this is harder than I thought.
Focus on the future, Trev.
Sure, there’s some melancholy over leaving my mother behind. But I need this. It’s a new beginning after the torturous last few months.
I’d received word from a brother firefighter that he’d heard of an opening in North Carolina, and I jumped at the chance before I knew a thing about the town. It was a world away from here and all the memories of what I’d lost. Somewhere I wasn’t inundated with daily reminders of Ashley’s betrayal.
My ex-girlfriend was a beauty. We’d met a few years ago at the Richmond International Raceway where my station had been dispatched to work stand-by in case an accident occurred during the fall NASCAR race. Ashley had been hired by one of the race’s sponsors as a car show model, taking pictures with fans before the green flag waved, signaling the race had started.
The striking blonde with big blue eyes had my full attention from the moment I saw her. Well, me and every other red-blooded man in attendance. And Ashley’s star has only continued to rise in the modeling world since that fateful day.
I’d fallen hard and fast, and to my surprise she seemed to feel the same. Our relationship progressed quickly. When I asked if she’d consider moving in one morning, her bags were packed by the afternoon. It felt like love at first sight. Yet, now I can’t help considering whether my home was simply a free place to stay.
Our schedules were like night and day. Ashley frequently traveled on modeling shoots, which made spending any quality time together difficult around my shifts at the firehouse. Add in my graduate studies, and it was a tough schedule to maneuver.
We attempted to make up for lost time when we were both home. Or at least I had. While I’d seen less and less of my girl at the end of our relationship, it only made me want to try harder to find time for Ashley.
I’d scrimped and saved, finally having enough money to purchase an engagement ring worthy of my beauty queen. The rock had practically been burning a hole in my pocket, waiting for the perfect moment to present it on bended knee.
