"Were you there when it happened? She had to swallow against the tightness in her throat.
"I was there. Kennedy was there to talk to us about a community outreach idea. And after the meeting, she was heading back to her car when the shooting happened. It looks like a drive-by. The ambulance was there just a few minutes after it happened."
"Lucky for her," Lexie sat down on one of the benches, relieved, nearly taking her knees out from under her. "Afirehouse is one of the best places to have a medical emergency. That and a hospital."
The call was silent for a moment and Lexie felt horrible. "I guess it's kind of a strange thing to say. Sorry."
"No. It's not... I mean it wasn't."
She heard sounds on the other end of the call.
"Sorry, Lexie. The lieutenant for Rescue Crew is calling us in for a meeting."
She blew out a breath and her shoulders slumped in relief.
"Okay," she spoke mainly for herself. "Be careful out there, okay?"
"I will. Get home safely and relax. You deserve it."
Lexie tipped her head back and looked up at the sky stretching over her head. "Thanks... I'll talk to you soon."
"Yeah," his voice was deeper than it had been a moment before. "Talk to you soon."
Lexie ended the call and took a moment to gather herself before standing up.
Talking to Kaleo helped her to relax.
Knowing that he was safe?
That was what she needed to hear.
It took a moment for her to realize the worry at the center of her thoughts.
If he'd been hurt, she would want to be in the Emergency Room, working there meant that she could help.
He could walk into a burning building and save people.
She could do her own part to help when those people were pulled out of the fire.
It was what she'd wanted to do her whole life, but now she was realizing that it was more than just helping people at the Emergency Room, she was part of a community. All of the first responders in the city made a 'whole' that was bigger than better than their own discipline.
This really was where she was meant to be. Doing something to help others.
That was going to be the best part of her life, helping to save lives and making others better.
The courtyard door opened with a slight squeak of the hinges.
"Hey, Lexie?"
She turned, recognizing the voice of one of her classmates. "Dex?"
"I'm heading out. You want me to drop you off at your apartment?"
"What? A nice warm car instead of waiting at the bus stop? Duh!"
Dex held the door open and she hustled inside to get the most of the heat.
Now that the exam was over and she knew that Kaleo was fine, she was starting to feel the cold.
