Page 9 of Courageous Yearnings

“Just my pride… There’s either a bed under me, or I landed on a trampoline in the middle of this room.”

“Thank God for it, too… that was probably a ten-foot drop.”

“Felt every inch of it, too. Sir, can I get a new pair of trousers? I think I messed myself.”

“I think Lance needs a set too.”

“Not gonna lie, Fischer,” Lance guffawed nervously, his adrenaline still running high. “That is a distinct possibility.”

“So, three pairs of pants, some baby wipes, a good stiff drink, and I bet you’d like a ladder at some point, Beckett?”

“Ya’ know… we could have a little fun with this. Why don’t I run out the front door screaming so a few of the onlookers mess themselves too?”

“You are one sick puppy…”

“Arf, arf…”

All three men began chuckling in relief and awareness that this was the weirdest conversation to be having on the scene of a fire. Only to have three PASS alarms start sounding.

“Let’s get moving, or it might be four pairs of pants if we include the chief,” Colton grinned, grabbing his radio at his shoulder and looking at Lance. “Look, always check your surroundings, and don’t go rushing into danger carelessly. I like you and really need you not to get yourself killed under my watch – okay, Smartmouth?”

“You talking to me?” came Alec’s voice from below – but Lance was looking at Colton, who was smiling at him.

“Good job spreading yourself like a starfish, that was smart thinking to spread your weight load – but it doesn’t make a rotting roof impenetrable. Look, think, and then act— okay?”

“Yes, sir.”

Hours later, Lance knocked on the chief’s door and hesitated as he looked up from his computer. He hated to bother him but the guy never seemed to mind, but it was intimidating to go talk to the ‘Big Man’ sometimes.

“Chief? Can I bother you for a moment?”

“It’s no bother, Cortes. What can I do for you?”

“I needed to speak to you about something,” Lance began and shut the office door behind him, turning just in tight to see the chief’s expression tighten warily.

“You’re not quitting too – are you?”

“Me? No, sir. I love this job. I fit in, you know?”

“Oh heck… thank goodness,” the man sighed openly, not bothering to hide his relief. “I thought you were about to give your notice and things are already tight on your truck.”

“That’s what I wanted to discuss with you.”

“Oh?”

“I’d like to be placed on the other truck or…”

“Denied.”

“Sir,” Lance said nervously. “Look, I’ve gotta be honest… I’m scared. It’s a big joke that I don’t like rodents, and everyone has their fun, but I would rather be trapped in a room with Chuck-E-Cheese than see someone die before me… or for me to turn into a human kabob. I always ask myself, WWDGD - and this time, I think I got an answer. We’re spread too thin. While I’m not a probie, I’ve still got a lot to learn – and I’m fully aware of that. Alec is amazing and goes in without any hesitation, but Colton teaches me, and I need that,” Lance said passionately, putting a hand over his heart. “I need someone who is willing to talk to me, teach me, or knock me upside the head if I’m about to do something stupid.”

“I see… and I think I understand. Maybe?”

“We need Colton on the front lines, sir… and we desperately need a captain or a different engineer. I don’t want to sabotage the man’s career, and I know he wants to be a captain – but I can’t do this if I’m scared that I’m going to fail my team or cause someone to die because we are short-staffed.”

“Lance, take a deep breath,” the chief said softly, leaning forward and looking at him. “I hear what you are saying – and I agree.”

“You do?” he croaked openly, feeling a massive surge of relief wash through him. Sitting back in his chair, he nearly began crying and put his head down into his hands. It wasn’t two seconds before the chief was coming around his desk, patting him on the back.

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