Robert
Station 19 was called out to a Station 23 fire since they needed help.
We arrived at 3667 Egre Road.
Maya and me glanced at each other.
It was the old couple's house.
Ruiz, Maddox, Barnes, Duval, and Domenick were standing out.
"Captain Herrera kicked us out. She put Ruiz in charge. He won't let us go back in to pull her out!"
"Give it a few minutes. Then we'll head in."
"Yeah."
"Because Herrera is smart. She's not stupid enough to stay in there. It's gonna collapse."
"Yeah."
"Let's talk. Wife to... Wife."
"You're married?"
"Yes, I am."
"You don't wear a ring."
"I have a ring. It's at home. I don't wear it out in the field. I fear I might break it when I lift a hose up."
"Does she actually have a ring?"
"Uh... Yeah. She has a ring and a band. She just doesn't ever wear them!"
"That's not true!"
"Yes, it is!"
"At the Firefighter balls, I did!"
"Wow."
I knew Andy rolled her eyes.
"Just ignore him. I've learned to after three years."
"We've been married for 20 years."
"Damn. That's-- That's a long time."
"You're young."
"I'm 32. My husband is 36."
"You're older than Herrera?"
"Yeah."
"I know my husband and best friend have been here before. The blonde and I don't mean to be a racist bitch. I mean this in the best way. The black guy."
"Yeah. Bishop and Sullivan."
"Well, Sullivan is my husband."
"How long have you been married?"
"Three years."
"Mm."
Andy sighed.
"I married the man I love. Despite his flaws. Despite our difference of opinion right now."
"It's not about kids, right?"
"No! Jeez. We settled that argument a while ago. We're gonna expand the Herrera-Sullivan family when the time is right."
"There will never be a right time."
"Yeah. We'll see. My Dad taught me not to give up a fight. I'm not letting him go without a fight."
Maya laughed.
"Jeez. Andy pulled her head out of her ass. Finally." Gibson commented.
He grunted as Maya smacked him upside the head.
"I had that one coming for me."
"Now, this is just a house. You two have memories. Those memories will never go away. I have memories of my Dad. They aren't going away."
"How did he die?"
"Um... He died venting an unstable roof. It was to save me, his son-in-law, and his sons. I'm not leaving this house without you two."
Andy walked out, coughing with Tony slung over her shoulder.
She was supporting Patricia.
"I got her."
I put her on Station 19's gurney.
Andy put Tony on Station 23's gurney.
I loaded Patricia into Aid Car 19.
She loaded him into Aid Car 23.
They drove off after turning the sirens on.
Andy got in Engine 23 with Ruiz and Maddox.
Duval and Domenick got in Ladder 23.
They left.
"Did you mean any of what you said?"
"Every word I said was the truth."
"You know the Firefighter ball is coming up, right?"
"Yeah."
"You should go with Sullivan. If you really forgive him."
