Page 79 of Rookie (Bradford Station)

CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE

Hayden

When I was in college,church was never a part of my life. Since coming home, I’ve gone every weekend, and today I need it. Need to be in a place where I can give thanks that the people I care about are okay.

Pray that Gauge will be able to pull through with what he’s going to have to live with for the remainder of his life. At the same time, I’m beyond thankful it’s not Danny or my dad.

And I’m beyond guilty for feeling relief.

Relief that they escaped, that they’ll be at home tonight while Gauge is stuck in the hospital fighting for his life.

This is the stuff no one tells you about when they warn about being a member of a fire-fighting family.

However, there’s another part that they do tell you about. The feeling of family. The church parking lot is full of cars I recognize and many I don’t.

Danny holds my hand as we walk up the steps.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” Nancy grabs hold of Danny’s arm. “I heard you were with Gauge when it happened. I was worried.”

His body tightens. I keep my hand on him, my touch reminding him I’m here if he needs me. “I was with him,” he confirms. “I did what I could, but I’m not an EMT. I’m as worried as the rest of you are about him,” he confesses.

“Red Creek lost a firefighter. I’m thankful we didn’t lose any of ours.”

The yet hangs in the silence between us. None of us want to say it or acknowledge its presence.

“Danny, let’s get inside.” Cam comes through, putting an arm around his neck.

Cam ushers us through the crowd, bringing us up to the front. That’s where most of the Bradford Station crew is. I notice Danny’s family sitting a few pews back and wave.

The remnants of tears on Penny’s face brings the sting of them to mine. “Have you talked to your mom?” I whisper to him.

“Not yet,” he answers softly.

“She needs you to go talk to her. Go see her for a minute. The guys will be fine.”

Tears come to my eyes as I watch Penny take her youngest son into her arms. I know how it felt for me, waiting for him and my dad to come home. I can’t imagine how it felt for her.

Don’t want to know how it felt for her.

Dad comes to stand next to me. “We’ve got word from the hospital about Gauge. I’m going to make an announcement.”

Judging by his grim face, this probably isn’t going to be what the rest of us want to hear.

Danny

I’mraw as I sit here waiting to hear about my friend. I’m not naive enough to think the little amount of first aid I was able to render for him made a difference, but I pray he was able to make it through the emergency surgery they had to give him.

Chief stands in front of all of us, clearing his throat.

“As most of you know, Gauge Grimes was injured in the fire yesterday. I have some news about him.” He holds up a piece of paper. “First, I want to thank everyone who helped and is going to help from here on out with the cleanup. It’s not going to be easy. There’s certain parts of Bradford that won’t ever be the same again. But the men of Bradford Station Company One are heroes. Without their dedication, Bradford Station wouldn’t have been spared. Please give them a round of applause.”

Hayden wipes away tears as everyone claps for us, in between clapping herself.

“Now, for what everyone has come here to find out about. Gauge has third degree burns over portions of his body. He went into emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding and he has a severe concussion. We believe at this point he also has a broken leg. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. All of us who know Gauge know he’ll be back with us as soon as possible.”

I do know he will be, because that’s the man he is, but at the same time I feel it.

The guilt.

Not being able to warn him in time.

I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to live with it.

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