Two days later: DK entered the firehouse with a large coffee in one hand and his usual stuff for work and after in the other. He looked tired and just sat at one of the chairs in the kitchen area for a moment still in his street clothes.
Grace came down the stairs eating an apple spread with peanut butter and saw him. She was on her way out to a run. Slip and fall on 123 and Lexington. She said" Hey , how are you?" It was her usual tone yet softer.
DK said" Hanging in there, thanks. No change with my sister. But I need the distraction for a few hours so I'm here." He swallowed his coffee slowly.
Grace nodded. "Got a run , see you later and welcome back."
He smiled slightly. "Thank you."
Then he headed upstairs and opened the usual locker door as it squeaked. Hmm need some oil on that soon he thought absently. He pulled off his burgundy colored polo shirt and then got his uniform one out off the hanger. He could dress almost blindfolded most days here. Footsteps sounded on the stairs then and DK looked toward the door while still changing his clothes.
Alex said"I should have yelled to see if everybody was decent up here before I came up. Sorry DK."
He said" Hey now you don't need to worry about me I'm fine. I could use a hug though if you have one to spare."
Alex nodded and hugged him. "You know you could take the time. Nobody expects you to be superhuman and work when you have a family emergency going on."
DK said "I can't just sit there and watch the lines on her machines anymore. The same old sounds ." His voice cracked slightly and he inhaled slowly.
Alex said" Hey I'm sorry really, if working helps you then do it. Who am I to tell anybody anything. I remember with my father I had to be forced to go home and then I was pissed for a while."
DK nodded. "If it gets to be too much for me I'll take time off, right now I need my other family and to handle things that I can fix even if it means hydrant."
Johnson saw them talking. "You actually are going to be our driver. Walsh sprained his back and he's currently on the disabled list around here. Just don't get any ideas about those air freshener things that look like pine trees hanging from the mirrors."
DK laughed. "Thank you Lieu I needed that and I won't . I'm not a pine tree type of guy. "
Johnson patted his shoulder. "Glad to have you back it was getting all too quiet around here without you. Go take it easy . Lombardo has lasagna planned tonight with extra cheese just for you ."