Page 41 of Beyond Perfect

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His firehouse shift ended, Joe took a quick shower, left and headed to the outskirts of town. Jackson had called him and asked him to come over after work. As he took the twenty-minute drive, he thought of how he’d met Jackson…

After Jimmy’s death in a call gone bad, Joe went on the skids. Eventually, he sobered up and was forced by the chief to attend a support group. He’d walked in and didn’t recognize any of the others. He sat back, determined not to participate. Most of them were alert except one who stared at the floor. The woman asked them to introduce themselves. That guy got up and left. On impulse, Joe followed him.

“Hey,” he said when he caught up to Jackson. “Why’d you leave?”

“I didn’t like her. Or the group. I don’t want to be here.”

“Same here. Joe Romano.”

“Jackson Kane.”

They locked gazes. ““Let’s you and me get coffee.”

For some reason, Jackson agreed. After settling in a booth, Jackson said, “Why’d you go in the first place?”

“My chief insisted. I suppose I’ll catch hell for leaving. You?”

“Nightmares and flashbacks that affected my work. I run Pathways. The principal said I was a mess and needed help. I picked the wrong place, I guess. But I have to do something.”

“Me, too. Or the Chief’ll boot me out.” They sat there silently. Finally, Joe said, “Maybe you and me could talk regularly. Make a pact that we’ll listen to each other. That might satisfy my chief. And help you with flashbacks.”

“I’d be willing to try.”

Joe looked around. “This place is too public.”

“I got a cabin about a half-hour away. We could pick up some supplies and go there.

“You’re on buddy…”

As he pulled into Jackson’s driveway, he smiled at the memory. They’d been there for each other since. Now, he parked in the driveway and knocked on the front door.

Jackson opened it immediately. “Hey, thanks for coming.”

“You’re welcome.” He went inside and they settled on two of the four living room couches.

Jackson took a deep breath. “I’m a mess.”

“Nightmares, flashbacks again?”

“Some. But there’s more. Maisy Shepherd.”

“You told me about her before. Did you start something up with her?”

“It happened so fast. I…think I’m in love with her.”

“That’s a big deal. But Jackson, it didn’t happen fast. You’ve known all along you’re drawn to her. You kept it professional for six years. But I could tell you were getting closer.”

“She quit.”

“What?”

“She quit Pathways.” He told Joe the events around Frankie that occurred.

“Maybe that’s for the best. Now you can act on your feelings.”

“I, um, already did.”

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