A/N: Yeah, I'm being a meanie right now. Look at the title. And then let me get there. :D

Thanks for all the luvs; i.e. following and favorite alerts. And the reviews.

And with the long holiday weekend, my proofreader is on the job!

Chapter 2

Letting go of Kelly, Jose walked up to the two strangers witnessing a scene they had both seen more than once. Jose smiled. "Since you're not wearing a Lawrenceville FD shirt, I'm assuming you are Calvin Ellerson." Ellerson nodded. "I'm Jose Campos, Zach's agent. Everything goes through me with your insurance company. And my legal staff."

Calvin smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you Jose," he said, reaching to shake his hand. "And I'll say it again. I'll take care of these kids. This isn't my first," he said shaking his hand, "and not their fault. AllState Insurance is ready to back them." Jose shook his hand with a smile and looked at the other man.

"I'm Lieutenant Enrique Morales of the Lawrenceville Fire Department," the other man introduced, shaking Jose's hand. "It's my job to investigate all fires. I've already given Calvin the go ahead to start filing his claim. I've cleared this fire as a natural one."

"What does that mean?" Zach asked, walking up to the two men.

Jose noticed Zach's tone. It was one of inquiry only. The two men made their introductions to Zach and Caleigh that had joined Jose. They both offered their condolences to the couple.

"Zach," Morales said, "that means that Calvin can do his job. My investigation is done. It's all up to him now."

Zach pulled out his cell and took a picture of the burnt out home. "Lieutenant, can you spell out what happened?"

"Sure Zach," he said. "When lightning strikes, it's main objective is to find ground." Zach looked at him. "I know that sounds simple, but that's how lightning works. When it hits a home, it follows the easiest path to reach its objective. That usually, and in this case, is to follow the electrical wiring to the ground. Problem is, the voltage of a big strike sets off even the biggest safety standards of electrical wiring. Wiring that runs through the shell of a wood structure that has insulation around it. I don't mean to trivialize your loss; but hello fire." Zach and Caleigh shook their heads. "What I will say," Morales continued, "the contractor that built this house followed all safety regs."

"Meaning?" Zach asked.

"None of those electrical wires were near a gas line." The couple looked at him. Morales shook his head. "If those two elements met up, the house would have exploded outward and there would be nothing left. That is why I've already ruled this as natural disaster fire. But I'm sorry. Between the heat, smoke and water damage, everything upstairs is pretty much a total loss."

Zach looked at him. "So you've been through the house?"

Morales nodded. "How much do you want to know?"

"Did you go into the basement?" Zach immediately shot back.

"Yes," Morales said. "Why?"

"Zach?" Caleigh questioned.

"Did you see the safe in the corner?" Zach questioned. Morales nodded. "Was it damaged?"

Morales smiled. "It's intact; anything in there will be okay. The combination lock should work to open it. If not, a good welder can get it open taking out the lock and if necessary, cutting of the hinges."

Zach kissed Caleigh. "That's our first win today," he softly smiled. Caleigh looked at him. "Before we left for home, I put all my memorabilia from my days at Gwinnett in there. And all our pictures; anything valuable. Uncle Dave pounded me over the head to buy that safe and do that."

Caleigh smiled. "I remember how hard those four guys struggled to get that damn thing into the basement. And why we have one at home."

Jose smiled. "That's Uncle Dave." Zach and Caleigh smiled at him.

"I agree Jose whoever this Uncle Dave is," Calvin said. "But here's where I take over," Calvin said. "Do you have a place to stay tonight? If you don't, we cover that expense."

"They're bunking with us," Andy said.

"Or us," Josh said.

"Or us," Pedro added.

Zach smiled at Ellerson. "I think that's covered."

Calvin smiled. "A support group is good." He turned serious and looked at the couple. "You'll need them; because the next couple of days are going to rough on you." Jose, Zach and Caleigh looked at him. "With the FD signing off on this being a natural disaster fire, I can immediately start the claim team."

"Claim team?" Zach and Jose asked together.

Calvin looked at them. "I'm just the insurance agent. AllState has a catastrophic claim team that comes in. The first thing they do is bring in large dumpsters. Those are on the way along with the team as we speak. Then they go through the house, trying to find anything salvageable. Being in the metro Atlanta area, they are close; you won't have to wait. They'll work through the night." He looked at Zach and Caleigh. "The tough part for you two comes tomorrow and the next day. They will make you accept or deny what they pull out. And then will walk you through every room to itemize out everything you've lost. Down to your underwear. It's invasive and difficult. I'm sorry. But that's what we have to do it to settle this claim."

Caleigh looked at Zach and started to cry again. Zach pulled her to him.

Ellerson shook his head. "I'm sorry you two. But that's how it plays out. And it's hell." Zach hugged Caleigh as Victoria rubbed her shoulder.

"But in the end," Calvin said, "we'll cover every item. And with you kids just moving in last year, the depreciation value won't be much. Especially with the seller upgrading the kitchen and laundry appliances before you moved it. Those are the big ticket items. Other than the vehicle," he nodded at Caleigh's car sitting in the cul de sec round about.

Jose and Zach looked at him. "Two days of hell. I'll have a claim check by next Monday."

Andy looked at Zach. "And then what?"

Zach looked at Caleigh. "We rebuild," he smiled at her. "We love the area, our neighbors," he smiled at the group, "and the pool is still intact and we've got three lots to play with." He looked at Jose. "That is your biggest challenge this week. You find us a contractor that can do the clearing of the old place and start work immediately on our new home."

"Zach?" Caleigh asked.

He smiled. "We go through hell for two days. Our catharsis is designing our new southern home."

Caleigh hugged him. "Let's do it."

Ellerson looked at Jose. "Let me put my two cents worth in on that contractor. I know the best," he smiled. "And he and his crew would love the late season work."

Jose smiled. "After Kelly and I vet him."

"Vet away," Calvin smiled. "Mike is my brother-in-law. They build the best. And will have full buy-in on replacing the kids' southern home." He eyed Zach. "If some Braves' tickets are involved. I know Mike's guys," he smiled. "They'll work their asses off."

"If they can get the site cleared while Cal and I decide on a house plan; Mike does his stuff with all the hoops I know he has to jump through with getting our house plan approved and lining up sub-contractors? And then the crew gets the house framed before the end of the year?" Zach smiled. "Hell, I'll get all of the crew into a suite."

Jose looked around with a smile. "Do we have a deal gentleman?"

Ellerson smiled. "The contractor can start the minute the kids get the check."

Zach smiled at him. "The suite offer for a game goes to you and your folks as well." He looked at Morales. "We'll take care of Lawrenceville FD as well," he smiled.

"Thank you both so much," Caleigh said.

Zach looked at Morales. "Can we take a look around?"

"It's your property and there is no hazard." He paused. "I wouldn't recommend it though." Zach and Caleigh looked at him. "The fire spread very quickly through the attic and pretty much engulfed the second floor. There are some items that didn't burn from the second floor that gave way that are now on the first floor." Caleigh looked at Zach.

"I'm guessing a spa tub, two toilets, plus a washer and dryer." Morales just looked at him. "Thanks; we'll pass on the walk around."

Just then two large trucks transporting two huge dumpsters came down Pleasant Street. The first driver stopped, turning on his flashers before making the left turn towards the home onto Delta Avenue. Zach looked at Morales. "Wave them in." Morales did. The first driver drove past the group now standing on the lawn. While the fire was completely out, they all could smell the stench of burnt wood.

They all watched as the first driver pulled into the roundabout and expertly backed the first dumpster into the driveway. The dumpster took up half the width of the driveway and nearly all its length.

Zach looked at Josh as the first truck moved out and the second truck moved to place the second dumpster. "Do you have the keys I gave you?" Josh nodded, fishing them out of his pocket. He looked at Caleigh. "Where are yours?" Caleigh dug through her purse and found them. Zach pulled out his own key ring.

Two vans of AllState people pulled up and started getting out, pulling on HazMat suits. Yet the group of friends watched Zach as he pulled off the house key from all three rings. Andy handed Zach he and Victoria's key. Zach clasped his hand around them and then opened his hand to take one more look. Closing his hand, he threw the four keys into one of the dumpsters.

He looked at Caleigh, pulling her to him. "That's how we move on." He looked at the group. "Let's get the hell out of here. I could use a beer."

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