As quickly as I could, I crutched my way up the steps before he could help me and rushed through getting ready. I was back downstairs in record time with a huge smile on my face.
“Let’s go!” I exclaimed happily.
The station was just as I remembered it with its white concrete exterior and big red bay doors. One of which was open with one of the engines pulled out and being washed by several firemen. They greeted us as we walked past and into the station. My eyes surveyed the bay with its two fire poles and many different pipes and ladders all organized along the walls. A large catwalk hung above the other two engines parked inside, connecting both poles. I hobbled my way along beside Darren toward the office area of the building.
Memories flooded back of me sitting beside my dad at the front desk while he filled out paperwork or answered the phones. I smiled, suddenly feeling like my dad was in here with me.
When we reached a frosted glass door withFire Chiefwritten on it, we didn’t even have time to knock before it swung open.
“Sophia!” Darren’s dad greeted loudly, immediately opening his arms to me.
“Duvie!” I replied, using the old nickname I’d affectionately called him as a little girl, then walked into his embrace.
It was such a warm and endearing hug, I felt like I was holding onto my own dad again. Happiness filled me. Eric Duvall looked almost exactly as I remembered him, just with a lot more salt and pepper in his hair and some wrinkles around his eyes.
He was about the same height as Darren with dark brown hair and blue eyes that his sons clearly inherited. He was a broad man with a strong jaw and a bit of a belly. From what I remembered, the man loved his beer, but he still managed to keep in decent shape otherwise.
“Oh we’re using old nicknames, are we?” He laughed, releasing me and eyeing me up and down. “You’re so grown, Bug. But I’d know you anywhere. How are you holding up?”
“I’m doing very well. Big thanks to your boys.”
Duvie slapped a hand on Darren’s shoulder. “And I couldn’t be more proud. These boys would never let Harding’s girl go through something as bad as you did alone. We’re only sorry we didn’t keep in touch with you and your brother like we should’ve when your daddy passed. I apologize for that.”
I waved my hand at that dismissively. “You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m just glad I’m seeing you again at all.”
“Me too, kid.” I started to wobble on my feet a bit. He noticed the shift and Darren quickly handed me back my crutches I’d let go of to hug his dad.
“Why don’t we go to the rec room so we can catch up and you can get off your feet. One of the boys is making chili if you want some?”
I smiled and nodded. “That would be great.”
We all walked down the hall leading to the rec room where they had a lounge of couches, a tv, and several different vending machines. It was where the crew would kick back in their off time while between calls.
It was almost the same as I remembered, but it had been remodeled a bit. The old brown, suede couches were now replaced with two, black leather sectionals and two matching armchairs. The tv was also a lot bigger and mounted on one of the walls across from the couches.
While Duvie and I sat, Darren wandered off to collect us some food.
“So, have my sons been treating you right?” Duvie asked, folding his arms over his chest. “Cause if they’re not being perfect gentlemen, I’ll handle them.”
I snickered and shook my head. “You don’t have to do that. They’ve been great. I don’t think I could’ve handled everything I have without them honestly.”
Duvie sighed. “Good. Would’ve hated having to do that. They’re good men. Plus they had a thing for you when y’all were kids, so I wasn’t too worried they wouldn’t take care of you.”
My cheeks blushed at that. “They did?”
Duvie bellowed out a laugh. “They’d deny it, but all three of them boys couldn’t tell you no for anything. They pretended you following them around annoyed them, but we all saw. Hell, Torres’ mom Amelie put a wager you’d end up marrying one of them one day.”
I made a choking sound, but hid it with a cough. “So, when did you take over as Chief?” I asked, changing the subject as fast as possible. I wasn’t about to let it out that one of his sons was apparently ready to share me with his best friend. Better let that one lie while I processed it myself.
Thankfully, Duvie showed no suspicions of my not-so-subtle subject change.
“Not long after your daddy passed. It was hard at first, trying to fill them shoes of his. He was a great man, Sophia, and not one person in the department didn’t mourn his loss or feel his absence. I still feel like a fraud sometimes, trying to do the job he did.”
I reached over and grabbed his hand, squeezing it assuredly. “Daddy would be so proud of you. If anyone was going to take over and be just as great of a man as him, it’d be you.”
Duvie smiled sadly and squeezed my hand back. “Thanks, Bug. I’m just glad I get to see you again. Feels like he’s still here when I look at you. You look just like him—only much prettier. You thankfully didn’t get that ugly mug of his,” he joked.
I laughed. “You better hope Daddy didn’t hear that.”
