my decision to not return to school.
“Yes, they were concerned at first. They didn’t want me to toss away my scholarship, but they’re supportive and warming to my decision. They’re proud of Luke and said they’d be just as proud of me if this is what I really wanted to do.”
“And is it?” He raises an eyebrow at me.
“Yes sir.” I say, without an ounce of hesitation. Chief nods his head, and I can tell he’s thinking about saying something. The silence is not helping my nerves.
“So the only reason you’re leaving Arizona and your scholarship is because you want to be a fire fighter? No other reason?”
I look at Jess, and her eyes are open wide and she gives a slight shake of her head, as to tell me not to say anything to him about us.
“Yes, Sir.”
With a large smile on his face Chief finally speaks, “Well then, let’s get you enrolled in the academy as a recruit and get your classes scheduled. I’d love to have you on my crew,” he reaches across the table to shake my hand.
Breathing the biggest sigh of relief, I glance across the table at Jess to see a small smile cross her lips.
For the next hour Chief entertains us. Ok, let’s be honest, he entertains me, with story after story. I can honestly say it fuels my excitement. I love talking to Chief about my new direction in life and having his support as well. I could have sat here all night and listened to his stories of fires, medical emergencies, and even the bizarre calls they get. Jess is still smiling; I can tell she’s happy for me. As we’re finishing dinner, Chief directs his attention to Jess.
“Jessie, about our conversation this morning, I think it’s fine that you stay at home. Just please check in with me a few times throughout my shift.”
“Sure, Dad.” she smiles at him, glancing back to me. Chief settles the bill and slides out of the booth.
“Thanks for dinner Chief,” I offer him a handshake.
“You’re welcome son. I look forward to bringing you on. Give me a call next week to discuss the details and next steps.” He leans down and places a quick kiss to the top of Jess’ head and quickly leaves.
“You hardly ate anything,” I say, looking at Jess’ plate.
“I wasn’t hungry and I want to go for a quick run when I get home.”
“A run? I just ate an entire plate of Pad Thai!”
She laughs at me and stands, offering me her hand as she pulls me from the booth. Settled in the car, she inserts the key into the ignition. Stopping her from starting the car, I reach over and pull her into a kiss. I never want to stop kissing her. Taking my time I explore her mouth, her neck, and her mouth again.
“Gabe,” she mumbles against my lips.
I stop her from speaking by deepening my kiss. “Let’s stay in tonight,” I mumble back against her lips.
Pulling away from me, “Who said I was doing anything with you tonight?” she says, laughing.
“You don’t want to spend the evening with your boyfriend?” I throw out, knowing that will get her attention. She turns her head to me quickly, her eyes wide.
“Say it again,” she says with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, she’s biting her bottom lip as she waits for me to repeat what I just said.
“Do you want to spend the evening with your boyfriend ?” I make sure to say it slow enunciating the word ‘boyfriend’, hoping she’s affected by it.
“Yes, boyfriend, I’d love to spend my evening with you, but after our food settles can we go for a quick run?”
“Are you going to try and kill me again?” I laugh, knowing that a quick run to her is a half marathon for me.
“No, just a few short miles, I promise. I’ll let you win if you want to race,” she says with a little grin.
“I always win. Remember that,” I say, giving her a little wink.
Opening the front door, Gabe is standing on my porch in his running shorts and a compression shirt, carrying a small duffle bag. Glancing down at the bag, I flash him a funny
“Yes, they were concerned at first. They didn’t want me to toss away my scholarship, but they’re supportive and warming to my decision. They’re proud of Luke and said they’d be just as proud of me if this is what I really wanted to do.”
“And is it?” He raises an eyebrow at me.
“Yes sir.” I say, without an ounce of hesitation. Chief nods his head, and I can tell he’s thinking about saying something. The silence is not helping my nerves.
“So the only reason you’re leaving Arizona and your scholarship is because you want to be a fire fighter? No other reason?”
I look at Jess, and her eyes are open wide and she gives a slight shake of her head, as to tell me not to say anything to him about us.
“Yes, Sir.”
With a large smile on his face Chief finally speaks, “Well then, let’s get you enrolled in the academy as a recruit and get your classes scheduled. I’d love to have you on my crew,” he reaches across the table to shake my hand.
Breathing the biggest sigh of relief, I glance across the table at Jess to see a small smile cross her lips.
For the next hour Chief entertains us. Ok, let’s be honest, he entertains me, with story after story. I can honestly say it fuels my excitement. I love talking to Chief about my new direction in life and having his support as well. I could have sat here all night and listened to his stories of fires, medical emergencies, and even the bizarre calls they get. Jess is still smiling; I can tell she’s happy for me. As we’re finishing dinner, Chief directs his attention to Jess.
“Jessie, about our conversation this morning, I think it’s fine that you stay at home. Just please check in with me a few times throughout my shift.”
“Sure, Dad.” she smiles at him, glancing back to me. Chief settles the bill and slides out of the booth.
“Thanks for dinner Chief,” I offer him a handshake.
“You’re welcome son. I look forward to bringing you on. Give me a call next week to discuss the details and next steps.” He leans down and places a quick kiss to the top of Jess’ head and quickly leaves.
“You hardly ate anything,” I say, looking at Jess’ plate.
“I wasn’t hungry and I want to go for a quick run when I get home.”
“A run? I just ate an entire plate of Pad Thai!”
She laughs at me and stands, offering me her hand as she pulls me from the booth. Settled in the car, she inserts the key into the ignition. Stopping her from starting the car, I reach over and pull her into a kiss. I never want to stop kissing her. Taking my time I explore her mouth, her neck, and her mouth again.
“Gabe,” she mumbles against my lips.
I stop her from speaking by deepening my kiss. “Let’s stay in tonight,” I mumble back against her lips.
Pulling away from me, “Who said I was doing anything with you tonight?” she says, laughing.
“You don’t want to spend the evening with your boyfriend?” I throw out, knowing that will get her attention. She turns her head to me quickly, her eyes wide.
“Say it again,” she says with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, she’s biting her bottom lip as she waits for me to repeat what I just said.
“Do you want to spend the evening with your boyfriend ?” I make sure to say it slow enunciating the word ‘boyfriend’, hoping she’s affected by it.
“Yes, boyfriend, I’d love to spend my evening with you, but after our food settles can we go for a quick run?”
“Are you going to try and kill me again?” I laugh, knowing that a quick run to her is a half marathon for me.
“No, just a few short miles, I promise. I’ll let you win if you want to race,” she says with a little grin.
“I always win. Remember that,” I say, giving her a little wink.
Opening the front door, Gabe is standing on my porch in his running shorts and a compression shirt, carrying a small duffle bag. Glancing down at the bag, I flash him a funny
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