Mercy
Ifell asleep and didn’t hear a damn thing after my head hit the pillow. Maybe because I didn’t want to think about what Reed was saying. What I felt.
What I still feel. Stretching my arms over my head, I groan and work the kinks out of my back that are killing me. Thirty isn’t too old but damn, sometimes I feel it closing in on me!
When I step out of the gorgeous little green and white guest room, I smell coffee and bacon and follow it to the red, green and white kitchen.
I can’t help smiling at the strawberries on the wall and decor and the smell of coffee.
It smells like home in here. I’m so used to staying in hotels while I’m traveling for work and rarely seeing my own place. It’s comfortable. Comforting even.
I rent since I’m gone so much. It would be nice to have a home base. Someplace that would really make my off days feel better. I’ve never really thought about it but I’d love to feel like I can breathe somewhere.
I didn’t realize until now how lonely it is getting up every day and not knowing where I’m at or how long I’ll be there.
It’s a rough job. But I do love it.
Petal chuckles. “Well, I can tell you slept well.” Her smile fades. “At least somebody did.”
I tense. “Why?” But I can feel it coming.
“The firebug hit last night again.”
“Dammit,” I growl and head back for my room.
“Hey! You still need breakfast! Or at least a coffee.”
“Nope. Gotta go. This one’s fresh. I might be able to find what I need to break this one.”
“I’ll get you some coffee in a travel cup.”
“Fine. I’ll be ready to go in a few minutes. Have you heard from your son?”
“Just to tell me that he was fine and the fire was out this morning.”
“So he’s probably still on site babysitting to make sure there’s no hot spots?”
“Yeah. Probably. I know the other guys got called out too to meet them there so it must have been a big one.”
“Do you know what burned?” I slip the door mostly closed and hop on one foot as I pull on socks and my work pants. Then pull my loose work shirt over my head, running a pick through my short curls and pulling the front back with a headband.
“It was a barn this time. Abandoned luckily.”
“Well, that’s good to know. Hopefully they stay that way.” Slipping my notebook into my pocket, I grab my phone and tote and pull the door wide, jerking to a standstill when I almost barrel right into Petal.
She holds out a fancy travel mug with pretty Spring flowers on it. “Here you go. Are you sure you don’t want anything to eat?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m good with this.” Holding up the cup I take a sip and groan. “Delicious, thank you.”
“No problem. Make sure that you stay safe out there. And call me if you need anything at all. I’m heading to my office thismorning. Watch out for the tv crews too. I already saw them out there this morning on the news. Saw that Reed was still there then.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “I hate the tv crews.”
“Sometimes it can get you the break that you’re looking for. Don’t knock it til you try it.”
“Fine.” Huffing, I grab my keys out of my tote and head for the door. Ten minutes. That has to be a new land speed record for me.
The drive takes less time than I need. I can still feel the sleep crust in my eyes and I’ve only drank half the cup of coffee.
