And he did.
There was something in Gibson Braun that Kaleo recognized.
That kind of intangible quality that marked him as a leader.
As they moved closer to the firehouse's Chief, Kaleo could see that there was a woman standing beside him.
She was a redhead.
Young.
Pretty.
There wasn't any familial connection in their features. So he didn't think they were family, but there was a warm and easy feeling between them..
Kaleo heard the Chief speak again.
"Kennedy, you know Lieutenant Braun here."
Kennedy.
Kaleo smiled at her name.
"Lieutenant." She nodded. "Good to see you again."
Braun shook her hand and then Kaleo saw the lieutenant gesture in his direction. "This is Kaleo Kennedy. He's joining us on Rescue to fill Seth's spot."
The Firechief looked at him and nodded. His gaze moved between Kaleo and Kennedy, the pretty redhead. "Kenney andKennedy. I'm just glad you two aren't working here or it could get confusing."
Kaleo laughed. "The guys back home call me Duke."
"Duke?" Kennedy looked closely at him, a curious glint in her eyes. "What's the story behind that?"
"I'm from Hawaii." He knew that wasn't going to be enough to explain. "I was one of the water rescue guys back home. It's a surfing thing."
"I just moved here from Hawaii. I was one of the water rescue guys back home. So it's a surfing thing."
"Surfing?" Kennedy shuddered. "The water gets so cold here. I look at the lake and I start to shiver."
Kaleo laughed out loud at that. "I heard I'd have to get an industrial wetsuit before I try to go into the lake here in Center City."
Chief Campanelli gestured at Kennedy. "Braun, Kennedy here has a request for some public outreach and education. Can I have you talk to her about the logistics? I think this is something right up our alley."
Kaleo warmed to the thought.
"Sure!" the lieutenant turned to look at him. "What about you? Have you done anything like that in Hawaii?"
Kaleo nodded. "We did a lot of school programs and Keiki Days at the firehouses." He turned, looking at the others. "Keiki is the Hawaiian word for child... children. I'd like to help if I can. I think it would be a good way to get my feet wet."
"Just don't get hypothermia," Kennedy coughed nervously. "Sorry. Bad joke."
Kaleo nodded, his shoulders shaking with laughter. "I liked it."
Braun gestured toward a door at the back of the apparatus floor. "Why don't we go in the common area and talk? We couldprobably rope a few of the others into the conversation and make some good headway in planning before the next call pops up."
Kaleo nodded and followed along.
Even though he hadn't planned to start work this quickly, it was a good thing that he had.
