This week I am using a photo prompt.
The Find Among the Flames
Tom’s job as a firefighter was a dangerous one, for sure,
and it was never a dull one. They just
never knew what they were walking into when the alarm went off.
“Hey Tom, what are you going to make for dinner?” Pete, one of Tom’s fellow firefighters and
friends asked him. Each member of the
station took turns cooking. Some were
better at it than others.
“I’m trying something new—chicken and asparagus with cheddar
cheese. I made it for Ben the other day and he loved it.”
“Sounds good. You’re a great cook. You should write a
cookbook.”
“That’s what Ben said. I told him we should collaborate on one. He’s a good cook too.”
“What are you guys doing for Valentine’s Day?” Pete asked
him.
“Ben and I are planning to…”
‘Beep, beep, beep, beep.’
The alarm sounded. Tom, Pete, and the rest of the firefighters on duty
stopped what they were doing and rushed to the trucks. The two large doors opened
and off they went.
The emergency was a house fire; the blaze was quickly taking
over the structure. Another engine
company was on the scene when they showed up.
Paramedics were there as well. The
police were keeping gawkers back.
Tom and the others put on their oxygen masks and pulled
hoses off the back of the truck. Their
captain, Joseph, directed them where to go.
Tom went inside; they were doing a room-by-room search for anyone
trapped there. It was a three-bedroom
ranch style house; at least they didn’t have a second floor to contend with, so
that was one good thing. They searched
closets and under beds, just in case any children were hiding. Tom was in what looked like a little boy’s
room. The sports trophies that lined the bookshelves on the wall were a dead give-away. That and it was painted blue. There was no
one in the room. He was just about to leave when he spotted a tank sitting on
the top of a dresser in the corner.
“Well hello, little guy.” Tom lifted up the tank cover and
found a box turtle looking up at him.
There was about five inches of water in the tank. Tom fished him out and
put him against his chest, inside his turnout coat.
The fire seemed to be centered in the living room. It didn’t
take long to put it out. Tom went
outside and met up with the rest of the crew.
“Wow, that was a hot one. Do you think it’s electrical?”
Pete asked their captain.
“It looks like it could be.
I’m glad no one was inside.”
“Well, I wouldn’t exactly say no one was inside,” Tom said.
“What do you mean?
Did you find someone? You know you’re supposed to radio in if you find a
victim.” Captain Joseph started to admonish him.
“Well, I didn’t have time. I wanted to get this fella out of
there ASAP.” Tom opened his coat and
revealed the turtle, who looked around, dazed, at them.
“Well, look what Tom found, guys. A turtle.”
Life around the firehouse could be very stressful and the
guys often razzed on each other. But one
thing that was no laughing matter was their job of saving lives when they
could. Tom wondered, for a moment, if
they would make fun of him for getting the turtle out. They often rescued more
than people out of a burning building.
They’d saved countless dogs and cats.
They even had the equipment specifically made for them to resuscitate in
case they needed to be revived. But
this was their first turtle rescue.
“You done good, Tom. You’re a hero,” the captain commended him.
“Does anyone know how to get in contact with the family?”
“A neighbor said they were out of town.” Randy, another firefighter commented.
“That’s odd. The kids still have school.”
“Well, we’ll have to sort it out later. What are you going
to do with your new friend?” Pete asked
him.
“I’m not sure. I guess I’ll have to take him home until we
find out where the homeowners are.”
It took some time to finish up at the house. It wasn’t long before Tom’s shift was over
and he and his new friend were on their way back home.
“Ben?” Tom came
in. Love was there to say hello, like
usual.
“Hi Love,” Tom bent down to pet their cat.
“Hi Tom, I’m in the kitchen making dinner.”
“I hope you don’t mind. I brought some company home with
me.”
“Company? Sure I
don’t mind.” Usually Tom called if he
was bringing one of the fellas home from the station. Ben usually liked a heads-up when company was
coming so he could straighten the place up.
“Hi baby.” Tom kissed
and hugged Ben.
“So where is the company. Is he hanging up his coat?” Ben looked behind Tom, toward the hallway.
“No, I have our guest right here.” Tom reached into his pocket and pulled out
the guest.
“A turtle?”
Tom placed him on the floor to see what Love would do. He knew the risk of salmonella, so he
wouldn’t put him on the table. He’d
stopped at a pet shop on his way home to find out what he’d need to take care
of him.
He told Ben how the turtle came into his possession.
“So until we can find out where the family is the turtle needs
a home to stay in. I hope you don’t
mind.” Tom laughed as Love tapped the turtle’s
shell, trying to figure out why this toy was moving so slow.
“Of course not, you’re a hero. I bet that boy is going to be so happy that
you rescued his turtle friend.”
Ben kissed him and they set up the tank on a table in the
living room.
TBC
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