Introduction
Bonnie woke up in a cold sweat breathing heavily. She slowly sat herself up and tried to slow her breathing. She looked over at her alarm clock…surprise...surprise the big block numbers flashing 11:00. She hadn't been asleep for an hour and the nightmares had already started. It was about the fire again, the one where she'd lost her parents. It had been about three years ago, she was 18 at the time. Bonnie sighed deeply looks like I'm not getting much sleep tonight mind as well get up and doing something productive. She got up put on some black sweat pants, a red fitted t-shirt, white zip hoodie on, and her black sneakers. She grabbed her keys; she knew exactly where to go, the same place she always went to for the past three years since her parents' death.
I reached the parking lot and parked my car in the usual spot. I got out, locked the car, and headed the entrance. In front of the door I stopped to reach for the keys I had been given and opened the door and headed in. The usually crowd was in there tonight, you get used to the schedule after three years. I looked at the trucks and read Baltimore Fire Department. I headed for the kitchen where they were all probably hanging around waiting, as per usual. As soon as I walked through the door I was greeted with "Heys", "Hi Bonnies", and "Hey kid". "Hi guys" I said. I walked over to Sheryl; she was by the oven cooking. I dawned on my apron and got to work.
After about 10 minutes or so Sheryl spoke up "Nightmare?" She knew me well, "Yeah, the one about the fire." She sighed "Bonnie, Honey you know it wasn't your fault I just don't know why you still have these nightmares three years later. I understand it was a traumatic event and you still grieve, but the nightmares. That can't be normal." She looked over to me. I was about to open my mouth to reply when we both heard "What can't be normal?". It was James, "Always eavesdropping, didn't your mama teach you manners?" I asked, 47 years old and still acting like a child. Gary in the background answered his question with a simple "Bonnie …stupid she can't be normal." "Thanks Gary "I said sarcastically turning around to stick out my tongue at him. Another voice chimed in sounding like they were coming from the garage "I'm afraid I'm going to agree with you Gary she isn't normal if she hangs around and deals with you two. And yes Bonnie James' mama taught him manners; he just likes not using them. His kids are more well mannered then him, its cause of the wife." Ben said whispering the last part in behind his hand. "I heard that" James said. "Course you did, cause you're eavesdropping."He retorted back. "So Bonnie and Sheryl what we eatin'?" Sheryl answered chicken and broccoli casserole." "And chocolate chip cookies!" I added quickly to the end of it. No one really liked Sheryl's cooking but we never voiced it. The guys James, Gary, Ben, Charlie, John, Rafael, Anthony, Tomas, Simon, and George (who just recently retired) all counted on my deserts when it was her week to cook. "It's almost done. Charlie and Tomas would you mind setting the table?" I asked. "Sure "they muttered as I put the cookies in the oven.
We all sat down and ate…well more like forced Sheryl's food down. We talked, joked around, and laughed. They were the only family I had now. They took me under their wing after the fire. All the guys considered me their daughter or niece and Sheryl was like a mother to me. I felt safe here. I even slept here sometimes, had my own room and all…part of the family. I heard my name being called I looked up and said "What?" It was Anthony. "I said what happen with that friend of yours?" He made some weird face and smirked. "Uh… nothing." I finally got what he was saying. "Uh...no Anthony I'm not going out with him. I appreciate you trying to hook me up, but stop I'll find the right guy on my own thank you very much." It grew quiet and Sheryl decided to change the topic. "So we finally got a replacement for George. A cadet a year out of school, very good record and appraised well. So I guess he'll fit in cause I heard he was a little stubborn and risked his life twice to save the life of a child and an elderly woman when no thought they could. Suffer in silent type too." Everyone nodded approval and mutter things here and there. I grabbed the cookies and handed them out. We were all discussing who would cook next week when the alarm went off. They were off getting their gear on and getting the truck prepped and ready and left. It was just me, alone. I sighed. I decided to clean up, put the remainder of the food in the fridge, washed the dishes and put them away. Then I headed up to my room in the station, it was Saturday tomorrow so mind as well sleep here where the nightmares occurred less. And with that I fell asleep hoping that my rotten luck would change for the best.
