Page 73 of Chasing Fireflies

“Who’s to say anyone’s relationship is healthy? We all got our shit to sort. It’s not giving up on each other when the shit sorting gets tough—that’s what matters.”

I can’t help but crack a smile at Joe’s words. “You’re right, Joe. We all got our shit to sort.” I exhale and look back at the chair. “You need to come with me?” I ask.

“Nah, we’ll be okay. This just gives me a reason to buy a new chair. I’ve been needing one for a while anyway.”

I chuckle. “All right. You two behave.”

“See ya later, deputy.”

*

It’s nightfall, and the springtime breeze blows in from the field as I step out of my truck. I take my ball cap off and turn it around backwards on my head as I walk around the back and let the tailgate down, jump up, and take a seat. I reach into my pocket and pull out a cigar that the chief gave me. Lighting a match, I suck until flames fire up at the end and smoke drifts upward. The sky is filled with stars, and it’s times like this that I’m glad to live away from the big city lights. I hear the screen door open then Bear’s paws beating against the porch. I look down as he rounds the truck. He sits and looks up at me.

“Hey, boy.”

He lifts up and puts his two front paws onto the tailgate. I rub his head before he falls back down. I hit my cigar as he lies at my feet.

“It’s a good night to sit outside. Isn’t it, Bear?”

He sighs and rests his head on his crossed front paws. The wind blows, making the branches from the big tree in the field sway. The leaves ruffle against each other, and it’s the only sound to be heard out here. It’s peaceful. It’s the country. It’s home.

“Baby?” I hear and turn to see Sara standing on the porch in her pajamas.

“I’m out here.”

The screen door falls shut, and Bear’s ears move when Sara comes near.

“What are you doing out here?” she asks me.

“Just enjoying the quiet. Come sit with me,” I say and pat the tailgate. She steps over Bear and lifts herself up.

“It’s pretty tonight.” She sighs, and I take a hit from my cigar as we sit in comfortable silence and listen to the wind blow.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sara

I laugh hard as I take off running throughout the house with Bear and Cash on my heels. I round the stairway and dart out through the screen door.

“Sara, I’m going to get you back!” Cash yells to me as I hear the screen door open. Bear barks. My bare feet move quickly over freshly cut grass, and in one swift moment, I’m flying and no longer touching the ground. Cash has me, and Bear runs around us in a circle, jumping and barking.

I laugh even harder as Cash wraps his arms around my waist tight and lets my feet touch the ground again. “It was just a little ice water.” I giggle as he bites my neck.

“A little ice water?” he says. “It was a lot of damn ice water, and it froze my balls off. I have no balls now. Are you happy?”

I turn around in his arms and smile up at his handsome face. His hair is still wet from his shower, and he smells like fresh clean sheets drying on a clothesline.

“I’m sorry,” I say, trying with everything to be serious, but the sound of his scream comes to mind and another laugh bubbles up.

“I don’t believe you,” he says, wide-eyed.

“But I really am.”

“Sara!”

“Your scream,” I can hardly say because I’m laughing so hard. “You sounded like a wounded animal.” My eyes water, and my ribs ache.

“That’s it,” he says, lifting me up and throwing me over his shoulder.

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