I pulled my cardigan tighter around my body and frowned. “Okay, it’s weird that you notice this kind of shit.”
She smiled gently. “When did you find out?”
“Ten minutes after I found out Flash was missing.”
“Oh my sweet girl,” she crooned, pulling me in for a hug, causing me to burst into fresh tears. “I’ve got you.”
“What am I going to do without him, Mama?”
“You’re not going to have to find out, honey. He’s going to be fine.” She cupped my face again. “Why don’t you have a nice warm bath and then we’ll get you tucked into bed. You need rest. Maisie and I’ll wake you should we hear anything.”
“You’re going to stay?” I whispered.
“Of course we’re going to stay, sweetie,” she said. “I’ve taken the week off work, so I’m here until the second we hear Flash is safe, and longer if you need me.”
I smiled through watery eyes. “Thanks, Mama.”
She kissed my cheek, then started the water in the tub.
* * *
Flash
It took me and my companion, Vaughn, four hours to hitch our way back to base, limping the majority of the way through the burning landscape barely managing to avoid the flames.
“Chief,” a voice bellowed. “We got ’em!”
Fire blankets were thrown over our shoulders as we were shuffled to the medical tent and forced onto cots, oxygen masks shoved over our noses.
“Fuck!”
“What are you doing here?” I asked, stunned to see my father rushing in.
Without answering he pulled me in for a hug. “Jesus, I’m so relieved you’re okay, boy.”
“Yes, of course I’m okay. What are you doing here?”
“I had Sticks arrange a flight for me from Portland. I came down here as soon as I heard about your mayday call.”
“You really didn’t have to do that, I’m okay.”
“Okay? You almost died, son. We thought maybe...well, we didn’t know what to think. Your mother and I were so worried—”
“She’s not here is she?” I asked, horrified.
“No, she’s at home, but what if she was?”
“It’s just bad enough that my dad is checking up on me at work. If mom was here, I’d never hear the end of it.”
“Is that what you’re worried about? The ribbing you’ll get from the guys at the firehouse. Did you hear me?” He squeezed my shoulder. “We thought you might be dead.”
“Well, I’m not and I don’t need you to check up on me,” I said. “I’m a grown man, and I can take care of myself.”
My father smiled, but I could see the hurt in his eyes.
“That’s the foolishness of youth,” he said. “Once you get older, you’ll realize that a real man knows that he can’t take care of himself. That he needs others, and they need him.”
I sighed. “Yeah, Pop, I hear ya. But I’m good. Sorry I freaked you.”
