Being a Hero

Chapter 24

The song for this chapter is "Oblivion" by Zayde Wolf & Neoni. There is a place to start listening. Oh, I loved writing this chapter! I hope y'all enjoy.

"The truth is, of course, that what one regards as interruptions are precisely one's life." –C.S. Lewis

*Mabel's POV*

After a week spent chasing leads and deadlines at work—to the point I hadn't been to see my teammates at all this week—it felt nice to be fancy for an evening. I checked my hair one last time before walking out of the bathroom to rejoin Braden in the conference room turned banquet hall. The Police and Fire Dept Charity Ball and Auction would be kicking off in ten minutes, and I wanted to be back in my seat before Commissioner Sung took the stage. The last thing I needed was to draw his attention to myself out of costume.

Braden smiled at me and waved me over to join him and another couple when he saw me. Spending time with Braden is well worth the risk, I thought as I smiled back. He introduced me to André and Susan. Apparently, he shared shifts with André at the station, and they were good friends.

After exchanging pleasantries, Braden led me to a table in the back. We'd purposely chosen a seat as far away from the stage as possible. I was probably overthinking things, but I didn't like being around Sung without the safety of my mask, mystique, and anonymity. Then he had to at least treat me as a player, even if he hated me. Right now, I'm simply a woman. Braden kissed my temple and took my coat for me. A woman married to the best man in the room, I thought with a genuine smile.

I sat down and assessed the room, not as a super, but as a reporter. The annual Ball was being held at St Joan's Hospital on the west side of the city. The hospital had just finished renovations on this wing intended for education and research—and the occasional high dollar fundraiser. The high ceilings and folded back retractable wall made a large, almost echoey space. Warm colors and plush carpet couldn't quite disguise that particular texture of wall hospitals loved for ease of disinfecting or the faint traces of cleaner and bleach perpetually hanging in the air. It burned my nose and made me want to sneeze.

The smaller furnishings made up for the room's deficits. Round tables with candle and floral centerpieces filled the half of the room closest to a stage and podium. A fireman's suit and helmet draped over a mannequin were displayed next to an exoskeleton. The latter seemed a misnomer to me. It was less a protective shell and more a bare framework with handheld joysticks and a computer in a protective casing at the back. The things were gaining popularity in larger cities in the USA like New York and Los Angeles. Japan and a few European countries were reportedly making wide use of them as well. I was surprised our city was putting in for one though. They were rather expensive.

The speakers, press, and potential auction buyers were seated up front by the stage and tables holding donated items for the auction. Police, firemen, and their choice of company took up the back half of the tables. Behind us stretched the open dance floor and the buffet against one wall. I was perfectly fine with the arrangement, though I technically could be sitting at the front. For now, I had my press pass tucked away in my clutch.

My editor had somehow found out I was attending the Ball and roped me into writing a piece on the event. I'll have to kill one of my coworkers later for spilling the beans. Tonight was supposed to be pleasure, not business. I frowned at the thought.

"Have I told you how much I love you in purple?" Braden whispered against my ear, gently brushing his fingers down my arm. The evening gown in question only came out of the closet for special occasions, and my husband loved it. I suspected his fondness was due to my always asking for his help with the zipper and clasp in the back when putting it on...or taking it off.