FIRE & BLOOD • EVAN 'BUCK' BUCKLEY / 9-1-1

36

Following day:
Today is going to be a long day. But I hadn't known just how long when I woke up this morning. I expected another normal day. As if normal even existed for me. Tragedy. That's the word that seems to describe my life lately because it this world can never be easy on me. But then again, nothing is ever easy when Evan Buckley is in your life.

"Call me when you guys land, please" my mother presses a kiss on my forehead as I say to her, "have a safe flight. I love you."

Grant waves his goodbyes to me as he struggles to carry all their luggage. Mostly my mothers who over packs for any trip anywhere. My mother could be told she is spending a weekend at a resort in Orlando and she has to prepare 3 bags full of clothes and one bag for her shoes. You can never be too prepared for a mini vacay! She would say.

"I love you more sweetie. Please call me more, I hate going too long without hearing from you," she points a finger at me, "and expect me to visit for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You may not be able to come to Florida but I sure as hell will come to you."

"Of course mom."
"I'm proud of you" her eyes glisten with emotions. I give her hand a small squeeze.

"I do it all for you."

My mother fans her face in attempt to stop the tears.

"Now go before you and Grant miss your flight" I look over my moms shoulder to where Grant stood at the entrance of the airport, patiently waiting for my mother. Never have I met such a patient man and it makes me happy my mother has him. Because it takes a great deal of patience to put up with my mother.

She blew me one last kiss before closing my passenger door ever so gently. I stay put in my spot until I see my mother and Grant disappear into LAX before pulling out and head into the dreadful terror that is LA traffic. The drivers in this state definitely have Florida drivers beat. Equally the same when it comes to not caring about their lives but the residents in Los Angeles seem to be even more reckless and not have an ounce of care about anyone else on the road. It's like everyone is minding their own business trying to get to their destination completely ignoring the speed limit as if it were nothing else but a suggestion.

It took about an hour for me to get to where I needed to be at to meet Evan.

My mind raced with thoughts on what I would say to him when I see him. I fought against my nerves but they were getting the best of me as I finally pulled in into the small lot of SweetCup café. Memories slammed into my head of all the mornings Evan and I spent here, talking about anything and everything we possibly could before one of us had to leave to work.

I sat in silence for a few moments, the only noise being the roaring inside my head, and stared at the café. It looked like a cottage more than it did a café. Plants hung by the front entrance, three white small rounded tables occupied the front of the place, a center piece of purple tulips placed on every single one.

Breathe. I told myself. I need to breathe, and breathe and breathe. I closed my eyes and focused on that. Felt my chest rise and fall, rise and fall.

Everything will be okay. This will go well. I pray it does because of it ends any other way, I am not sure what to do or even how I will handle it going badly. I try to push any negative thoughts out of my mind and replace them with good outcomes.

Me and Evan will talk. We'll listen to each other. Talk some more and figure out a way to work through all of this together. I will stay by his side through it all. We will make it through this.

Fresh air greets me as I walk up to the entrance. My fingers tremble as I reach for the door and give it a slight push. It groans as I step into the warmth of the slightly packed café.