Damon
I spent a few hours with Stephen in the gym. Stephen nudged me on the shoulder while I was lifting weights. "What are you doing this Thanksgiving?" I lowered the 10kg dumbbell bar carefully. I took a few breaths. "You know I don't celebrate holidays. Those times are when people cause fire. Especially, your girlfriend. She's a terrible cook." "Rebekah isn't a terrible cook." I snorted. "Oh please, brother. The last Thanksgiving dinner we went to answered your opinion to her cooking." "I complimented on her food." "Yeah, and secretly fed half the food to her cat. That's why Rebekah called the fire department accidentally when her cat puked it gut out in her backyard." Stephen remained silent. I just laughed even more. 'Oh. that was a good day. Except for the chief misunderstanding that I planned the "prank call." At least, everyone else was amused.
I sat up from the weight lifting bench, and removed my finger – less gloves. "So, you coming or not?" I lowered my eyes, taking my time removing the patches off my hands. "I'll think about it." Stephen sighed. "Damon come on. It'll mean a lot to her if you came." "Thanksgiving is coming up in two months. I have time to think about irrelevant events. I rather stay in the veterinary clinic with her sick cat other than eating her soggy, dry turkey. Did I mention, the last thanksgiving dinner, she served us over baked pumpkin pie. You know I always favored pumpkins, but since I'm allergic to them it's a bummer for me. But that day, brother I was ready to go on my knees to thank God that I'm allergic to them."
Stephen gave me an uneasy look, his hands placed on his stomach. All he could say was "I guess it wasn't me. I thought the pie was just two weeks old."
~ I returned back to the fire department after spending another hour in the gym. Matt and Tyler sat in the lounge, drinking their cup of coffee. I joined them. "Hey guys." They both nodded their heads. "You went to the gym again?" Tyler asked. I nodded my head. "My brother wanted to spend time with me. And offered me an invitation to his girlfriend's Thanksgiving dinner." Matt and Tyler choked on their coffee, and released a hysterical laugh. I can't help but laugh with them. Rebekah's phone call is legendary in this fire department. Tyler actually recorded her phone call. When the chief is busy, we'll always gather around and listen to her dramatic phone call. It never gets old. Everybody considers holidays having a gathering with friends and family – stuff their faces with bunch of food until they gain ten pounds, and give each other's the most unbearable presents with fake smiles. Well, hearing Rebekah's phone call about her sick cat is my holiday, a better holiday.
"Oh that was a good day. I can't believe she would just call the fire department," Tyler said between laughs. Matt pounded my back as he laughed with Tyler. "Stephen should totally feed her cat again. This time video tape the cat puking." I clapped my hands. "That's rich." Suddenly, the chief walked in the room. The three of us fell silent, and bit our tongues to silence our laughter. He stood behind the coffee stand, and poured himself a cup of coffee. And walked toward us. "Morning, boys." "Morning, sir," the three of us said in unison.
He took a sip of coffee and headed out the door. Before he stepped out, he turned his head toward us. "Damon, tell your brother never to let his girlfriend call us again." And he stepped out, leaving the three of us laughing our hearts out.