Lisa
As the fire engine cuts through the traffic, while racing towards our destination, my mind is stuck back at the station. She loves me, she actually loves me. Those three words made me happier than I ever thought was possible. I was in a euphoric bubble. The girl of my dreams loved me back and her adorable child was in my arms. It felt like we were a real family.
Then reality took hold.
I'm in a fast-moving truck on-route to a serious fire. People have been killed on the job in less dangerous settings than this. I'd just got this ready-made family and now I was risking my life. What is wrong with me?
"Wacko Jacko, how do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"How do you come to work every day with a family at home?" I ask. Wacko Jacko whose real name is actually Jackson and he was married with two kids, he had a family yet he still did his job.
"I'll admit that I did question my career a few times, like when my wife and I said our vows, or when my kids were born. I love my family and of course I don't want to leave them. Maybe part of it is a bit selfish, I love my job, I love the camaraderie. Then I think about the lives that we help. Someone has got to do the job. So why not me? It also helps that my amazing wife completely understands and told me to stop talking stupid when I thought about quitting and get back to work." He chuckles. "Things getting serious with the two of you?"
"She told me that she loves me."
He nods understandably. "I think that was obvious to us all when she turned up to check that you were okay. The only times her eyes left you, were to look at that little girl of hers. Who is a little sweetie, by the way."
"Isn't she?" I smile. It's not just Jennie that I would be leaving behind, if something happened to me, it would be Ella as well, that kid has had my heart since the first time I've met her, I don't want to hurt either of them.
"Look, take it from someone with a bit of experience. Worrying about this now isn't going to do anything but put you in danger. For now, you need to focus on the job to get yourself home safely. And when you get home, then you and the missus can have a talk."
I nod and try to calm my mind.
