Page 72 of Burn Protocol

It had taken me two days to write an article so polished that I’m certain that Helen is going to love it. Even though it only features Elena superficially and focuses more on the work and the impact of it than the other two articles did. The article gives a lot of insight into the guts and strength it takes to do this job, especially for women. Because if the readers of Woman at the Front expect anything, it’s a good feminist hook. Luckily I can fill some of the gaps with Rosa’s story. And it gives me a second female voice for the readers to cheer on. They will eat that up. By the time I reach the cantina, I am filled with resolve. My eyes scan the room and fall on Rosa, who is already nursing a cup of coffee.

“Hola, guapa!” she calls as soon as she sees me.

Her arms are around my neck before I can blink, and she hugs me tight. I chuckle, more out of surprise than anything else, and sink into her embrace. Not exactly the cold attitude I was expecting. It feels like she actually missed me.

“How are you, have you rested, are you eating enough? It looks like you lost weight?”

She fires her questions at me as she holds me at arm’s length to check on me. The next thing I know, I am sitting in the chair holding my own cup of coffee and eating a breakfast burrito.

“I always make extras, just in case,” she chuckles.

I don’t complain. Instead, I bite into the wrap with a big smile on my face. It feels good—normal even—to be back here. But this time I won’t forget my goal. I fish out my recorder and notepad. Rosa shifts a bit uncomfortably in her seat but doesn’t say a word. Before I can ask her if she’s okay with me recording the interview, heavy footsteps come up the stairs. Tommy’s blonde head pops up and he grins widely at us.

“I figured you’ll be busy today, so I got you a little treat,” he chirps cheerfully.

Both Rosa and I raise our eyebrows as we turn toward him. He carries a big cardboard box that he places on the table with a fake bow. He takes off the lid to reveal the contents of the box. Inside are babkas, fruitcakes, cinnamon rolls, and brownies. The warm smell of the pastries fills the air and I can’t help but smile appreciatively. I love workplace dynamics where people take care of each other. Maybe because it’s lacking at Woman at the Front. Rosa, however, raises her eyebrow even further.

“Uhm, gracias, Tommy.” Her voice sounds strained as she utters the words.

“De nada,” he quips back casually, before holding the box toward me.

I am not sure what happened between them, but I do know that I am not going to say no to a sweet treat to top off that delicious burrito. I grab a babka and nod at Tommy. He smiles and turns to offer Rosa a treat too. She picks a brownie and finally breaks out in a smile as well.

“I’ll put the rest over here, for whoever wants it. Unless of course you do, feel free to take it if that’s the case. Is there anything else you need for now? Coffee? I can make a fresh pot.”

“I think we’re good here, T,” Fernandes responds, nodding her head slightly toward the stairs. “We have an interview to get to.”

“Oh right, well good luck with that.” He glances at us briefly. “You know where to find me if you need anything else.”

His eyes linger on me for a moment, before he turns. We wait a few beats after he is gone, before we both start to chuckle. I shake my head.

“Sorry, but… that was weird, right?”

“Definitely,” she confirms before chuckling again. “But, hey! Brownies.”

With that, she takes a big bite out of the pastry and I sink my own teeth into the chocolate bread. I can hardly complain about that.

***

“So, how did your family respond when you told them you wanted to become a firefighter? I can imagine that caused some stress.”

Rosa huffs and nods in agreement. She takes another sip of coffee and then shakes her head as the memory washes over her.

“My abuela got so angry—cursing that this wasn’t how she raised me, and that I should make smarter decisions. But it was really just fear, you know? Like, I could see it in her eyes. She was terrified.”

“Of you getting hurt?”

“Exactamente. When I reminded her that she had raised me to take care of people and protect those who need it, she almost exploded.” She shrugs and chuckles softly. “I was so stupid when I was twenty. Looking back now I totally understand her anxiety.”

I chuckle at that, too.

“Aren’t we all?”

Before she can reply, determined footsteps come closer. She automatically turns her head and my gaze follows hers in time to see Elena enter the cantina. Our eyes lock and for a brief moment I see her face light up. My stomach flips and my lips part briefly. But then her mask slams back into place and she is the lieutenant once again.

“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Her voice is cool, raspy, and clipped.

She turns away from us to pour herself some coffee, and doesn’t offer any other acknowledgment. Another stab in the fucking back. I roll my shoulders and swallow once.