Miles stooped to pick it up, turning it in his hands.There was no postage, no address listed.The front had only the words “To the Firemen” written in black sharpie.
He ripped it open and pulled out a single, folded page inside.More black sharpie.
“KEEP PUSHING AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE FIRES YOU CAN’T PUT OUT!”
He sighed, his shoulders dropping.Though it was tempting to throw the note away and tell no one about its discovery, it would be unwise.
Miles turned and walked back into the fire station, yelling, “Guys, we got a live one!”
He didn’t get a chance to talk to Bella until the next evening.
She was on her way out the door.“Sorry, Dad, I can’t talk.I’m headed to Annie’s.”
He frowned.“Babysitting again?”
“No, she invited me for dinner.You’re invited too!”
Miles took a step back, shaking his head.“That’s all right.”
When Bella was younger, he’d always had someone at the house with her when he worked a long shift.Now she took off on her own.The house was just… empty.
Truth be told, he felt empty.It was like she had no need for him.He just stood around in the house like an oaf, wondering when she’d be home.
“Don’t be like that,” Bella said with a sigh.“I’m sorry I yelled at you about giving me independence.This is different.I want you to come.”
“You don’t have to feel obligated to invite me,” he said.
Bella had told him in no uncertain terms to stop showing up when she was babysitting, and he respected that.In this instance, however, he needed to stay away from Annie.
Her shoulders dropped.“I feel bad imagining you sitting at home by yourself.”
A smile tugged on his lips.“You feel bad?For me?Your old dad?”
“I feel bad for you all the time.”She paused.“You’re pathetic.”
A laugh burst out of him, and her face cracked in a smile.Her skill at sarcasm had always surprised him.She was so like her mom.So sharp.So funny.
“All right.”He grabbed his coat.“We can’t have that, then.”
They walked down the road together, chatting.Miles told himself it would be fine.He’d talked to Annie about not sending Bella the wrong message, and she had understood.She hadn’t reached out to him at all since Thanksgiving.
His heart sunk.Why hadn’t she reached out to him?Couldn’t they still be friends?
He was about to find out.
Bella climbed the stairs and opened the door without knocking.
That was quite familiar.
Miles followed as Clara welcomed them in.“Miles!I thought I saw you out there admiring your new handrail.”
“Not admiring, I wouldn’t say.Eyeing critically.”He shook his head.“It’s not the best-looking handrail I’ve ever seen.”
She waved a hand.“Nonsense.It’s art!”
Miles stripped off his jacket.The house was cozy and warm, cinnamon wafting in the air.
He cast a stiff look around.Annie was nowhere to be seen.Maybe she was avoiding him – though that would be hard to do in her own house.Maybe he shouldn’t have come.
