Little Fires(Evan Buckley)

Don't Be Sorry Do Better

We arrive at a Carvinval where a rollercoaster accident takes place. "This is why I don't ride anything at amusement parks." I state. "Buck we came in at the wrong angle. I'm gonna have you climb up there, harness him in. And hang tight while we move the truck. You think you can handle that?" Bobby asks. "Hell yeah." "Remember no flirtin'!" I warn. "Yes mom!" He climbs up as I roll my eyes.

"Bobby he's asking about his friend." He says through his walkin talkie.

"Chimney it's Captain you copy?" "Copy Captain what do you need?" He says back. "How's the kid in n the ground" "...we lost him." I mutter a damn.

"Alright I don't need the people up there seeing that. So do me a favor...he survived right?" "Ya Cap." "Put him on a gurney you know the drill."

"Copy that."

I look at Cap. "God help Buck!" I bite my lip in anticipation. "Come on Bucky!"

He lets go and falls to the ground. I cover my mouth in shock.

The next day I see Buck staring at a cup. I sit next to him. "Hey..." I hand him a plate. "I'm not hungry." "This is America Buckaroo. Eating has nothing to do with being hungry." Chim states. "I was right there. You know all he had was reach up and grab my hand." "People do funny things at times like that."

"Sometimes they just freeze up." "I've never lost anyone before. Does it get easier?" He asks. "Look people die and that's part of the gig right? See your problem is you're looking at every job like it's a long term relationship. They're one night stands. For that one moment they mean everything to you. But once morning comes...it's on to the next one." Chim states.

"Hey!" we turn our heads to Hen. "You guys don't mind I brought some company that family dinner ." I see it dad and Athena. I squeal and run toward them my dad opens his arms and I shove him out of the way. "Auntie Thena!" I hug her.

"Girl that's not your auntie." "I am whatever she wants me to be. Hey baby." she hugs me back.

"Athenas going through some uh some stuff at home so she could use some TLC." Hen states. "And I came for the food. I love your mother but..." "ya I know, Hank'll be fine." I say sitting back down next to Buck. "Let's just get through dinner, afterward we can talk okay?" I ask him. He nods.

So throughout my time as Bucks...babysitter? Ion know. I've come to the conclusion that he's not an asshole just stupid. He's a good guy makin up for his mistakes. He is still strugglin with controllin his dick. But I'm still working on that.

"Well, usually we don't allow cops at secret firehouse meetings, but uh, ill make an exception," Bobby says hugging Athena. "Mm. All right. Appreciate that." "you know we ain't sold on you yet but...I think keeping us from getting shot deserves a second chance." she tells Buck. "Ya I heard Destiny's whippin you into shape." he shakes Athena and my dad's hands.

"Hey there won't be a third though." he faintly smiles. "Buck here is having a little trouble moving on from a call that didn't go his way," Bobby states. "I know what you mean buddy. When I was in FBI you won't believe the things I saw. But as hard as you might try you can't save everyone each time. So you focus on the people that you did. That's why we do this." my dad states.

"Well said Derek." "you know why they make us wear these uniforms right? Cops firefighters paramedics." Athena asks.

"Uh...sex appeal?" Chim jokes. "So people can easily identify us." "both true but it's also for our own good. Because when we take the uniform off at the end of the day it symbolizes letting go of all the sad crazy inhumane things we've seen that day," she explains. "I see his face every time I close my eyes. That happen to you guys?" we go silent.