Too Hot to Handle

By Barbara Butterfield

Firefighters and best buddies Kerwin Utley and Cody Garding have their hands full with challenging careers and also in managing their relationships. When Kerwin is injured, his buddies go incognito as shaky sleuths to discover who is trying to destroy his life. The firefighters of Station 101 band together to discover who has Kerwin in their sights and why they’re gunning not only for his wife but now for his life as well.

Along the way, Kerwin discovers that it’s not just your friends who will stand by you but also God, who will make sure he sees you through the storms of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984553201

Barbara Butterfield

Ms. Butterfield is California born and raised, and currently resides in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona…where she lives with her favorite feline friend: Baybee. Integrity, suspense, camaraderie, romance, and personal growth are all values that play a vital role in her novels. More importantly, the gospel and spiritual growth are also an aspect of life into which she delves. Ms. Butterfield has written for many years; her first novel having been penned at the age of fourteen. She also studied writing and journalism, becoming the Editor-In-Chief of the school’s newspaper. She is currently working on her 60th novel.

Book preview

Prologue

The late afternoon sunlight sparkled upon the three-foot waves as they quickly dissipated into small riptides dotted with foam.

For the most part, the flotilla of surfers simply sat upright on their long boards. At ease with just letting their legs dangle in the tepid…somewhat cloudy water, they talked amongst themselves, regaling yesterday’s courageous attempts to ‘shoot the curl’. With every retelling, the waves just seemed to keep getting bigger and bigger in their memories, even if it hadn’t been that way in reality.

Further up the beach, on the sun-warmed sand, life-long friends Kerwin Utley and Cody Garding sat side-by-side on colorful beach towels. Sitting up, Kerwin rested well-muscled arms on upraised knees as Cody sat cross-legged near him, obviously deep in thought.

Holding a matchbook in his left hand, Cody repeatedly tore off a lightweight cardboard match…struck it, and watched the small flame flare up. The match having been spent, he then blew it out and casually tossed the match onto the sand.

Haven’t you got anything better to do? Kerwin asked, his patience running thin as he eyed his slightly younger friend askance.

Yeah, but Christie had to work this afternoon, Cody replied with a lecherous grin as he intently watched yet another match flare.

You’re back together? The older friend asked, surprised by this new tidbit of information.

Yeah, Cody shrugged, rather indifferently.

You don’t sound very happy about it.

I am, Cody replied, striking another match. "It’s just that I’m not so sure that we’re such a good…match," he chuckled, lighting another of the small incendiary devices.

Hmm, let’s analyze this, Kerwin mused.

Let’s not, and say we did.

She’s a fire captain’s daughter…and you’re a pyro, Kerwin persisted, choosing to be ornery. Nope! Not a good match.

"I’m not a pyro! Cody argued, easily rising to his own defense. I just like fire."

"You like fire. Now there’s a hot one," Kerwin laughed out loud.

Don’t you find it fascinating? You know, like…in a scientific sort of way? Cody argued in his own defense.

Not really, Kerwin shrugged, letting his gaze wander lazily down the shoreline. It’s all bad.

But really, don’t you find it interesting? I mean, when you think about it…what turns this innocent little flame into a roaring inferno. Weird, Cody mused, thoughtfully eyeing yet another tiny orange flame.

It’s a no-brainer, Cody…come on, oxygen and fuel, man…and there she goes. It’s still bad.

No, Cody patiently corrected. "It can be bad. But back in caveman days, Ogg like fire," he teased, assuming the IQ and verbal grunt of the caveman in question.

But then Ogg’s idiot friend started a forest fire and shot the benefits of fire all to hell, Kerwin idly commented. Would you please stop lighting those matches.

Who’s it hurting? Cody asked, looking over at his best friend. Inadvertently letting the match burn down too low, the encroaching flame began to burn his fingertips. Suddenly, Cody dropped the burning match…right onto his lap.

Quickly slapping at the flames, Kerwin just watched, noting the area on which the match had fallen. Choosing to ignore answering his friends query, Kerwin just laughed, turning his gaze back out toward the placid water of the Pacific Ocean.

That wasn’t funny, Cody drolly remarked.

I never said it was. If Christie ever gets off work, I’m sure you’ll still be able to sire children.

We don’t want kids, Cody commented, turning his attention back to the matchbook.

Really? That’s weird…I guess, Kerwin shrugged laconically.

We prefer to practice for about ten years, that is…if we ever get married, and then try one or two.

Practice makes perfect, quipped Kerwin.

That’s what I’m hoping.

Christie’s hot, Kerwin commented, letting his laconic thoughts drift across the fields of his mind.

Yeah, I’ve noticed, Cody replied as a dreamy expression crossed his face just then.

At last, Kerwin chuckled, something that takes your mind off of fire, and it’s a hot babe like Christie.

Man does not live by fire alone, Cody airily commented. Not like you, huh?

I’m watching, I’m always watching, Kerwin calmly defended himself as his dark brown eyes scanned the mid-summer beach crowd.

Yeah, but sex is not a spectator sport, brah.

It is to some people, Kerwin laughed as he eyed any number of girls strolling about the beach.

"Not to normal people," Cody corrected, tearing another match from the book.

Yeah well, Kerwin sighed. Trixie and I weren’t destined to be together.

"With a name like Trixie, you had to even think about it?!"

Well, not really, but pulllease Cody, she was a professional cheerleader! Kerwin exclaimed. Besides…well, you know, my Dad said that exact same thing.

Man, I wish you wouldn’t say things like that to me, Cody whined. I hate it when your Dad’s mind…and ours, seem to be on the same wavelength.

Why? Hell, Cody…my Dads a good man, and he’s really kind of like your dad too.

"Well…sure, but he’s like…what? Fifty-two or something, and I’m nineteen. I don’t want my thought processes compared to some middle-aged geezer who blasts the Beach Boys on his still-functioning 8-track while he cruises PCH with his…wife."

You mean Mom?

Well, duh.

Cody…they’ve been married like, forever, to each other. We should be so lucky.

You want to be married to me? Crap, I’m glad we never shared a room, bud, Cody laughed.

You know what I mean, Kerwin replied with disdain.

Yeah…yeah, don’t light your shorts on fire, man, chuckled Cody. You want to ‘have and to hold’ forever. But wouldn’t doing the same woman every night get boring?

Dad don’t look bored, Kerwin shrugged.

Well…no, but still, what’re the odds?

Not good from the stats I’ve read.

You read statistics on marriage?

No, you moron, just you know…articles here and there. A marriage is a lot of work.

Swell, mused Cody, lighting another match, "and here I’ve spent most of my life getting out of work."

Life’s a bitch, eh brah? Ever since you got out of diapers life’s gotten harder and harder, Kerwin teased his best friend, and then sighed when another girl crossed their bow.

Crap, just look at her, Kerwin sighed. Cody’s eyes glanced upward to watch the pretty girl…clad only in a scant bikini, walk past their stakeout area.

Yeah, well, that’s all you’re ever going to be able to do with her…just look.

That’s so negative, Kerwin commented. "Pretty, and stacked."

"Nice, but fake," Cody replied flippantly, turning his attention back to the match he held in his fingers.

Fake! How can you tell?

Crap, Kerwin…and how long have you and I beached together? And girl watched?

Since we were five. Remember that day you chased that fourteen-year-old girl and my mom kicked the crap out of you for it? What were you? Seven? Kerwin asked, chuckling.

Something like that. But man, that moment left emotional scars on me. Thanks for helping me to relive those painful memories, Cody commented, grimacing as he buried a pile of a dozen spent matches in the sand. The point is…we’ve done this for a long time. We’re professional-level beach bums.

Hey now…watch your terminology, Kerwin warned. We’re ‘surfer dudes’. There’s a huge difference between the two.

Riiight. Well…anyway, we surf, lay on the sand, watch girls and judge ‘em according to looks, poise and bikini size.

Not in that order.

Right. Surely you can tell real from f-a-k-e by now.

I don’t know, Cody…sometimes you can suspect, and they can fool you.

They’re females, Kerwin…of course they can fool you.

That’s an awfully cynical stance for someone so young, Kerwin chided his friend.

Lay off the age card, dude. You’re only two years older than me, and not only that but I have a girl…and you don’t, Cody teased in a sing-song sort of voice. The younger brah surpasses the lead and takes control of the race, he added, switching to his best race announcer’s voice.

We aren’t in a race, Kerwin reminded his friend, as he easily rounded on the younger man.

You only say that because…you don’t have a girlll, Cody sang again.

Shut up.

Twenty-one and horny, film at 11:00, Cody teased again, refusing to let it go.

Want to go surf so I can make an attempt on your life? Kerwin teased back.

Naw, Cody added, sounding disinterested as he struck another match.

I wish you’d please stop doing that, Kerwin lamented. You’re giving me a sulfur high.

Or a headache.

That too. Really, wanna catch some waves?

Naw, ever since they pulled that guy out earlier today…

Which guy?

"Dude, the one that was missing part of an extremity due to some shark suffering from low blood sugar? That guy!"

Yeah, right. I’d forgotten about him.

Well, it bummed me out, ya know? I’ve been sitting here watching those guys bobbing around like corks and thinking…ya know, I like my feet attached.

Yeah, go figure, Kerwin guffawed.

That doesn’t mean I’m chicken, does it?

Naw, the older friend reassured the younger one, it just means that you’ve got some common sense.

Swell…like your Dad, Cody pouted, and Kerwin simply chose to ignore his friend’s comment.

What about her? Kerwin asked, changing the subject.

Fake, Cody, who considered himself an expert in silicone identification, calmly assessed without even having to take much a look at the girl in question.

And her?

Fake, Cody offered, as he glanced upward, but only briefly. Impressive though.

Okay, what about her? Kerwin persisted, pointing out one particular girl with what appeared to be a ‘normal’ bust size.

Hmm, Cody offered, his eyes squinting a bit as he studied the subject at a distance. "It’s just possible that those are real."

Finally, Kerwin teased, throwing his hands into the air.

Could be a reduction job though.

"What?! Crap, Cody can’t you just enjoy the view…you know, just for the view?"

Sure, he shrugged.

Is Christie real? Kerwin asked out of curiosity.

As real as the dew that forms upon the petals of a rose on a summer morning, Cody replied, rather wistfully.

Crap man…Cody, she’s turning you into a freakin’ poet! Gasped Kerwin.

That’s not a good sign, is it, Cody asked, suddenly fearful.

No…no, it’s not! When a guy starts talkin’ like a poet, and there’s a girl involved, it’s only a matter of time before she has him taking out the trash and changing diapers, or running to the store to buy her P-M-S stuff.

That is so sick! Cody exclaimed. Man, I’ll never do that! If the bitch needs something, let her go get it herself!

Oh, that’s real sensitive, commented Kerwin, eyeing his friend askance.

Sensitive, my ass.

It’ll be your ass, once your wife gets through with you.

Well, Cody Garding doesn’t live in fear of any woman!

Famous last words, Kerwin idly commented as he watched a particularly small, hot pink bikini stroll past their beach towels.

Do you think your Dad’s afraid of your mother?

No.

I’m not so sure, Cody thoughtfully replied. I’ve known them a long time and he seems to say ‘I’m sorry’, a lot.

All men do that, Kerwin answered as his eyes continually scanned the beach for their newest contestant.

Well, this man doesn’t, Cody haughtily replied.

See you in divorce court then.

You mean if I don’t apologize I’ll end up divorced?

Yep.

What if I’m not wrong though?

Doesn’t matter, Kerwin replied, nonchalantly shaking his head.

But that’s not fair.

Life’s a bitch, Cody, Kerwin finally commented. "Okay, look at her! She’s gorgeous; those have got to be real."

Why don’t you just run over there and ask her? Teased Cody.

I don’t think so. Haven’t you ever heard of tact?

Nope.

What time is it?

Suns almost down.

We’re going to be late for dinner, you know.

Then I guess we’ll just have to apologize to your mom.

Might as well start practicing now, I guess.

But, it would be different with Christie, Cody added, rather dreamily too.

"She is younger," Kerwin offered an explanation of what his buddy was getting at.

"True, but once I apologize to Christie, and she gets all kissy…hmm, guess it is good for a man to say ‘I’m sorry’, huh?"

There are benefits to be had far above that of mortal man, Kerwin replied, wistfully. Rising wearily to his feet, he tossed his beach towel over one shoulder, and hoisting his surfboard, he held it under one arm.

I’m going to miss these days when school starts up again, Cody muttered as he too stood up, grabbing his towel and surfboard.

Me too. But we’ve still got some time before we have to report back to the fire academy, Kerwin discussed their situation as they both strolled along the sun-warmed sand, heading back toward the car. Since you’re staying with us for the summer, Dad said that he would really prefer that we both get summer jobs, you heard about that, right?

Yeah. Maybe we should just say ‘I’m sorry’ to him, and see if he’ll buy our humility, Cody offered, hopefully devising an impromptu plan.

I don’t think so, that angle of attack doesn’t work on men, Kerwin instructed his buddy.

The bastards, Cody quipped, grinning.

What about that one, asked Kerwin, hoping to get one last girl judged before they left Huntington Beach for the day.

"Hollley crap Kerwin…real, real, really real," Cody gasped, his eyes growing wide as both men stared at the well-tanned blonde that was approaching them.

Geez man…don’t hurt yourself, Kerwin laughed at his friend who openly gaped at the girl who had just walked past them. Cody turned, walking backward just so that he could continue to watch the shapely swaying hips and long blonde hair of the subject in question.

"What is she wearing?!"

Not…much, replied Kerwin, succinctly.

Well, whatever it is…as nice as it is, it should definitely be illegal, Cody added, turning back around and jogging a few steps to catch up to his friend.

It probably is.

Why can’t we marry women like that?

We can, replied Kerwin confidently as the two trudged up the long flight of wooden steps to the parking lot up on the bluff.

How? Got a trap or something?

"We are the trap, brah. Why do you think we’re attending the firefighting academy?"

Because we’re into that? Cody gamely offered. Because we have a heart for service, want to help the community, rescue cats from trees, drive fast in big trucks, run red lights…legally, be a part of a team, maybe be a hero someday…do cool stuff like that.

And chicks love the uniform, Kerwin replied, simply.

Oh yeah…riiight. I forgot that part, Cody smiled as they dumped their boards into the back of Kerwin’s brand new Camaro convertible.

Hey! Watch it! Snapped Kerwin, brushing a few grains of wayward sand off the new upholstery. I haven’t even turned over a thousand miles on her yet!

Kerwin…dude, Cody explained patiently. We’re at the beach…all the time, you’re gonna get sand in the vehicle. Get over it.

I can’t wait till you buy a new car one day, Kerwin complained as he revved the engine to life.

Why, you gonna plant sand in it?

I’m thinkin’ about it, Kerwin replied as Cody leaned forward and tapped the button on the CD player. With speakers blaring to the beat of the Skeletal Virgins, the best friends since kindergarten, began to rock out. The serious sound, and the pulsating bass, of Kerwin’s Rockford Fosgate Power amplifier that drove the dual, twelve-inch Dolby speakers vibrated the car just a bit.

Kerwin, getting into the music, burned just a hint of rubber on the asphalt pavement of the parking lot. His lead-footed use of the cars accelerator sent the friends roaring toward home, ready to apologize for being late…again.

Chapter 1

Where are you?! Came the urgent plea of the struggling firefighter. In spite of his current circumstances, he managed to depress the ‘talk’ button on his two-way radio, making a final, desperate attempt to locate the downed colleague.

Firefighter Charles Bach struggled to see through the darkened, smoke-filled hallway. With an inner desperation born from an innate instinct to survive, he made his way through the burning building. One way or the other, he was determined to locate his downed friend and co-worker, Kerwin Utley.

Churning billows of dark gray smoke rolled from the aged office building. One-by-one the windows burst, causing dagger-like shards of glass to rain down onto the sidewalk…a mere three stories below.

Upon arrival, the firefighters had observed a small, relatively simple fire that they figured could be rapidly extinguished. The crew had quickly dispersed within the three stories, seeking hot spots that would be easily put out.

The building had not been ablaze for very long and hadn’t shown any sign of escalating…until the blast occurred.

With a deafening blast the concussive force of the explosion rocked the aged building. The ensuing shock waves caused several firefighters to tumble off their feet, while it merely sent others reeling up against the walls.

Within seconds, the fire escalated into a roaring inferno, and the tones for a second and third alarm sounded in nearby fire stations.

As Charles pushed himself to his feet, the stabbing pain in his right arm caused him no small amount of concern, but he didn’t have time to think about that right now.

Charles found tremendous satisfaction in his career as a firefighter, but it was at times like this that he wondered if he shouldn’t have taken his father’s advice and become an accountant instead.

But the challenge of being a firefighter was always present, and it fed his intrigue and love of the work. The gratifying achievement of a job well done never failed to cast a warm sense of calm over his soul upon returning to the fire station.

The purpose and satisfaction of lives and property saved…and hopefully, in certain situations, arsonists captured and put behind bars…this was the bottom-line for his choice of career. It all came together to fill a need that lay deep within him, as well as the other twenty-three members of the crew.

Dark gray smoke billowed low over Charles’ head. In certain places, he could watch as it eerily snaked its way along the ceiling. Soon the writhing gray fog would find its way to the out-of-doors, venting itself through shattered windows at the end of the corridor.

His attention was quickly forced back to the present, where he turned the hose on new flames, which licked all about him. He grimaced from the pain in his arm, but he just tried to shake it off. He’d get it looked at later.

Determinedly, he fought his way through the aged office building that with every fleeting moment threatened imminent collapse.

Well, where are you?! Come on Utley, do you copy?! Charles barked into his radio.

Third…third floor, came the choked reply.

I know that! But where?!

Near…near the damn window! Kerwin managed to shout into the walkie-talkie.

That’s a big help, Kerwin. There’s window’s all over the place!

I do what I can! But right now, I’m sorry to say, that ain’t so much!

I know buddy, commiserated his friend.

"Try…try the end of the corridor…west! The west end!" Kerwin managed to shout, even as he gasped for his next breath.

Okay, Kerwin. Hang tough, we’re comin’, Charles reassured, as just one of the two dozen firefighters assigned to Station 101.

The fire station, located right off of freeway 101 in Canyon Oaks, California boasted the fastest response times. They claimed that they were always speeding anyway…on the freeway, so why shouldn’t their response times be more expedient than the norm. They frequently teased the driver of the ladder truck, swearing that he’d get pulled over for grossly exceeding the speed limit one of these days.

* * *

He knew it would probably end like this one day, firefighter Kerwin Utley thought to himself as he lay pinned beneath a fallen support beam. He’d only thought that his career as a firefighter would have lasted through more than his first month on the job.

‘Of course,’ he thought to himself during a respite wherein he stalwartly willed himself to try and keep his emotions under control. ‘There’ll be hell to pay when I get home tonight.’

The beam had come down unexpectedly. One minute the ceiling had looked scorched, but hadn’t appeared to have burned yet, and wasn’t sagging at all.

Then, the next minute, Kerwin found himself violently knocked to the floor amidst a dazzling display of light as a huge shower of flaming embers rained down upon his prone body. He had blacked out, but had rapidly regained consciousness. But it was apparent that he had been unconscious for longer than thirty seconds, as his PASS device had activated.

Perhaps it was the raucous, loud screeching beep emanating from the device, which was attached to his SCBA that helped to bring him back to full awareness. Though perhaps being unconscious may have been more preferable at the moment.

The ‘personal alert safety system’, or PASS…is a device attached to the SCBA that every firefighter wears when entering a building that’s ablaze.

The PASS can be activated manually by the firefighter if he or she determines that he’s become lost or disoriented in some way, has become incapacitated, or is running low on oxygen in the SCBA. So there’s a myriad of reasons for the device to be put into use, most all of them…life threatening.

The PASS will also self-activate if the firefighter does not move for a predetermined amount of time, such as thirty seconds. At that time, the PASS activates and the pulsing alarm, in decibels you’d rather not hear up close and personal, sounds, loud and clear. This enables firefighters who are searching for the downed colleague to more easily locate their coworker, and retreat from the site more expeditiously.

In Kerwin’s case, his PASS…which was already armed, self-activated, sending out the signal that he was in dire circumstances and required assistance above the norm.

The firefighters of Station 101 were also armed with an emergency button built into the top of their walkie-talkie. Similar to the PASS, it is also to be activated when a firefighter finds himself in a mayday situation.

When the button is pushed, or even just briefly held down, the unit transmits a series of repetitive, audible beeps across the airwaves. This alarm can be heard by the local station working the fire, or can be programmed to be heard by Dispatch as well. Standard Operating Procedure for this device will differ from station to station.

This device can also be programmed to transmit information conveying to the recipient: who the firefighter in need is, and even to which part of the fire he was assigned to work.

In this case, Kerwin’s PASS did all the work as it completely slipped his mind about manually signaling his mayday situation via the emergency button on the walkie-talkie.

However, considering his current, overwhelming condition, a bit of forgetfulness…in a rookie firefighter, may be overlooked.

With the heat of the flames so near his face, Kerwin painfully stretched his arm out to try and reach a portable extinguisher that had apparently fallen from its mounting on the wall. That first attempt having failed, he took a few deep breaths and again he stretched out, trying to grasp the small red cylinder.

Finally, as he gasped and panted…with the exertion upon his body being almost too much to endure, the tips of his fingers were just barely able to touch the unit. Patiently working at it…as best he could, and straining to do so, he worked at it until he could maneuver the unit to within his grasp. Dragging it to himself, Kerwin turned the nozzle on snapping flames that were threatening to get a bit too close once again.

Chapter 2

Kerwin and Julia had only been married for two months, and though she had never been thrilled with the idea of him being a firefighter, she had promised that she would always be supportive of her new husband and his career. Now, with Kerwin having graduated from the firefighting academy and actually out on the job fighting fires, Julia had grown more unsure of her decision to back his choice of a career quite so easily.

All too frequently she found herself wishing that they were still spending idyll days lying upon the sun-warmed sand at the beach, far too close together, sunning themselves and…making out.

Julia had been so glad…that day in late summer, when she had inadvertently become one of the brother’s bikini-gazing contestants. Kerwin had actually started up a conversation with her, if not her hot pink bikini.

Kerwin understood her trepidations and feelings about the inherent danger of his chosen career. But he had also reminded her that they had talked about this while they had dated, during their courtship. It hadn’t been a secret. He had laid all his cards out there on the table, and they had discussed it honestly and openly. In the end, Julia had decided that her need for him…if not her love, was greater than her fears and she had sincerely tried to put her trepidations behind her.

This, the downed firefighter said out loud as he glanced warily about himself at the smoke-filled hallway, isn’t going to help one bit.

Kerwin couldn’t blame her too much. His new wife was more emotional now, what with being pregnant and all. Still, the baby wasn’t due for six months yet, and her anxiety over his job wouldn’t lessen any before then.

They had been considering getting married anyway, but the news of her pregnancy simply upped the wedding date by a few months. The young couple certainly felt that they loved each other enough, and they would just make their marriage work out, even though it started out rather abruptly.

* * *

Kerwin attempted to move just a little, once again using both hands to try and shove the aged beam away from himself. That failing, he tried to maneuver just a bit so as to be able to apply some leverage. He hoped to lift the beam just enough to at least be able to get some blood back down to his right leg again.

Julia, please don’t be angry, don’t cry, he pleaded out loud…and suddenly exhausted, Kerwin let his head and arms fall limply back down to the floor as he practiced what he would say to his wife when he saw her again.

If…he saw her again. That aspect of this incident he had tried his best to keep out of his thoughts.

Stay positive, man, he had berated himself. The guys are coming. They’ll get here. They’ll get here in time.

* * *

Perspiration poured down the sides of Kerwin’s face as his head lolled from side-to-side. So hot…it was just so hot. He coughed, over and over, and his dark brown eyes streamed tears as his body rebelled against the intrusion of having to breathe hot, smoke-laden…not to mention toxic, air. His self-contained breathing apparatus, which is an oxygen tank that every firefighter carries on his back, is known as a SCBA. Necessary, required, and helpful when entering burning buildings, it was unfortunate that Kerwin’s unit had been bled dry of its supply of fresh oxygen a good fifteen minutes ago. With the tank empty, he had tossed the mask away from himself.

Don’t give up…don’t give up, man! Ow! Crap! He swore, as his right hand slapped at a small flame that had managed to begin to eat a hole into his turn-out coat.

Crap, Cody will make fun of me…forever, if I give up. He will never let me live it down. Live… and here he paused as a small chuckle escaped his lips. Live…yep, I want to live, that’s what I want to do! Besides, the Captain will chew my ass to shreds, and shit, worst of all…Dad will tar the livin’ daylights out of me if he has to pay for my damn funeral! Kerwin lamented, ably lecturing himself, if only to help keep his mind focused and aware. He didn’t want to give a moments thought to the idea of giving up!

Just then a few sprinkles of cold water sprayed over him, rapidly snapping his tortured mind back to awareness. His co-workers and friends had finally found him! The sprinkles were a minor…but welcomed relief as the firefighters knocked down the flames in this portion of the corridor…as they rapidly approached the trapped firefighter’s location.

At first, Kerwin thought he was hallucinating, but soon realized…much to his relief that the team had arrived.

You can stop coughing now, teased Charles as he knelt alongside Kerwin, putting an oxygen mask to his buddy’s face, a mask that covered both his mouth and nose. Course, your chokin’ and gaggin’ was what helped us to find you, Bach winked. You’re gonna have one hell of a sore throat by morning.

"I have one now, gasped Kerwin, eagerly drawing in the clean oxygen. Thanks, man. What took you guys so long?" He asked as he raised a weakened hand to touch his buddies arm.

Let’s just say that your instructions left a little something to be desired. But, don’t thank us just yet, fellow firefighter…and best friend, Cody Garding replied as he glanced warily about himself. We still have to get back out of here, you know.

And will it be any better when we are? Asked Kerwin, rolling his eyes.

I know, agreed Charles, giving his buddy…the look. Julia isn’t going to be too happy about this, is she?

Not hardly. It’s not like I planned it though.

No, but it still happened, Charles added distractedly as he and Cody looked over the beam, trying to figure out how best to lift it without causing more harm.

How does your wife handle it? Kerwin asked, grimacing in pain.

I beg your pardon? Charles asked, feigning shock at such a personal question as he and Cody positioned themselves on either side of the heavy beam.

You dork, I meant…how does she handle you being a firefighter? Kerwin persisted, and Charles did his best to carry on the conversation thinking that the younger man probably needed it.

It wasn’t easy, Charles replied with a gasp as he and Cody team-lifted the heavy beam.

With the weighty entrapment lifted a mere three inches off the firefighters leg, Kerwin managed to roll aside as best he could. For the most part, he used his arms to drag his body out from underneath the beam, before collapsing onto his back.

His fellow firefighters stepped aside to place the heavy wooden timber safely back down onto the floor, just as they heard it snap. Cody heard the noise and cast a questioning glance…across the beam at his superior, who only grimaced.

Took years of hard work getting her used to it, Charles continued.

But how’d you do it? Kerwin persisted as Charles squatted down alongside the rookie firefighter to take a cursory look at his injury.

Lots of presents, lots of attention, and lots of sex.

Swell, Kerwin retorted blandly. Julia is due in six months.

Okay, so sex probably isn’t what it could be right now, you can still load her up with presents and attention.

Yeah, you can take care of the sex angle later, Cody replied, with a rather salacious, though good-natured wink. Charles glanced over Kerwin to where Cody knelt on the far side of the injured firefighter, as a somber attitude took over once again.

We gotta get him out of here.

No shit, Cody replied. "We gotta get us outta here!"

It’s not going to be easy, she can be pretty ornery. Kerwin commented, still talking about his wife even as he heaved a huge sigh.

Ornery can be fun, when handled correctly, Cody commented.

Besides, worthwhile things never are easy, young’un, Charles added.

Would you please stop calling me that? I’m not that much younger than you are.

Probably not, Charles shrugged. Can you walk? You look like crap.

Thanks loads. But, it’s fitting that I should look the same way I feel though. Did Zach roll on this call? Kerwin asked of his other good buddy.

No. He’s playing paramedic this afternoon. They rolled on an auto accident a little while ago, Cody replied, and Kerwin just nodded.

Cap’n, we’ve got Utley! Charles shouted, in order to be heard over the snapping sounds of the blaze, as he keyed his radio. Do you copy?

10-4, Bach. What’s your 20? The Captain replied, inquiring as to the men’s current location.

We’ll need paramedics, and ambulance transport! Charles gasped his words. Cody heard the unusual tone in his voice and wondered if his boss wasn’t inhaling a bit too much smoke. Can we get the ladder truck over to the third floor…west side, where the windows are blown out at the corridor? It’s going to be hard getting him to walk out of here!

Copy that, Bach. Meet you at the window, the Captain replied.

Upsy-daisey, Kerwin, Charles encouraged, as he and Cody bent over to help hoist the younger man to his feet.

Must you put it that way? Kerwin complained. I’m not a kindergartener, you know.

I like it. Besides, I’ve learned that you have to get your jollies in life, wherever you can.

Besides, with your baby-faced good looks, talking like that is easy for him, Cody chided, good-naturedly.

Right, Kerwin responded as he suddenly gasped in pain.

Hurt bad? Charles asked, though it really wasn’t necessary.

No worse than the pain I’ll be inflicted with when I get home…after facing Julia, Kerwin responded through clenched teeth as he leaned on the men’s shoulders.

Here I am getting your sorry ass out of this mess, only to have you go home and face the wife. From the frying pan, into the fire, eh? Charles chuckled.

"Hey, what am I, chopped liver? I’m helping here too, you know," Cody remarked as he assisted Charles in maneuvering Kerwin over to the window.

Sorry man, didn’t mean to leave you out.

Good thing, or I would’ve had to burn your dinner tomorrow night when it’s my turn to cook, Cody chuckled, ducking his head as he managed to dodge a small shower of burning embers.

"You burn dinner every time you cook, so what’s the big deal?" Kerwin commented with a friendly roll of his eyes.

The big deal is that it’s getting rather toasty in here, don’t you think? Cody offered as he took Kerwin’s full weight upon his shoulders for a minute.

Yeah, for sure, Charles replied, coughing slightly as he leaned out the window to see if the ladder had arrived yet. It was good for them that it was just being brought into position.

Kerwin, how’s the leg feel? Do you think you can manage this? Charles asked, turning back to face his injured colleague.

It’s only three stories, I think so. How was the leg when you checked it out? Kerwin asked, though not entirely certain that he really wanted to know.

It’s still attached, if that’s what you’re asking, Charles explained, honestly. You have some burns and a gash across the knee. Medics will be able to tell you more. Question is, can you maneuver with it? Will it hold your weight?

Kerwin experimentally placed some weight on his injured leg, and winced.

It won’t take all my weight, but some.

Well, use your arms to help lessen the weight on your leg as you go down the ladder.

Right.

Okay, we’ll go down together, Charles announced. I’ll get on the ladder first, then you, Kerwin…and then Cody. I’ll help steady you on the way down. We’ll just take it slow and easy.

Okay, let’s do it.

The three men climbed…in turn, onto the ladder with Kerwin moving much slower than usual. Both Charles and Cody helped ease him onto the ladder and then protected him as they began the trek back down to the safety of the ground below.

Chapter 3

The shrill sound of the phone on Ron Phelps desk startled the administrator out of a bored idyll. Straightening the stack of papers that he’d been perusing, he set them aside and turned his attention to the black, chiming annoyance.

Phelps here, he answered the call, a bit irritated at the interruption.

Ron, this is Chief Smith.

Heard about the call, how’d it go?

You know, pretty much the same old thing. These old buildings that people renovate into office buildings are nothing more than death traps.

That bad, huh?

Could be better. Not long after we arrived on the scene, we decided that it was probably going to end up being a total loss. You know, especially after the explosion.

The what?! Ron seemed to shriek.

Phelps, what part of ‘explosion’ do you not understand? The freaking thing blew! The investigators will be combing through the rubble for a while trying to determine what caused the blast.

Good thing. Any fatalities? Ron asked, though he really wasn’t very interested in the outcome.

No, thank God. There were only a few people working at the time and they’ve all been accounted for. I do have two men down and being transported to the hospital though.

Damn, Chief…who? Ron asked, suddenly displaying a modicum of concern.

Kerwin Utley and Craig Price. Price isn’t bad, but I’m ordering him to the hospital anyway just to get checked out.

What about Utley? Ron asked, displaying an inordinate amount of concern over the man who he believed stole the woman with whom he had been in love.

"I don’t know. From what I hear,