CF10

John opened his eyes again; the pain not as intense, the rest of his body felt like it was on fire. Closing his eyes he gave into the pain and exhaustion. His mind seeing Roy a few feet away as hell reined down on them.

1 YEAR AGO

The big day was here, Gage was moving into his dream home, singing to the radio, he backed up the U-Haul in his driveway. No more noisy neighbors or loud parties, he was home. Home at last.

During his off days he had moved most of his clothes and light stuff in. The men of his command were just bothersome flies compared to the enormity of his move. Moving alone was no big deal. His friends at 51 were working and as of yet he couldn't count on anyone at 36 even remotely close to help. Dollies were invented for a reason and besides, his new TV, refrigerator and washer dryer were going to be delivered the next day along with his horses and the necessary gear to keep them around for a long while.

After parking the van, he slid open the back door, took out a dollies and loaded it with his dresser, clothes and all. Securely attached with straps, Johnny made his way to his front door and unlocked it. The still smell of fresh paint made him grin widely. Before moving in, he had given the place a good once over. New paint and cleaning to his standards in all his rooms and it still seemed like a dream

So once again he was alone, better not to dwell on it, he'd have his horses for company if nothing else and the oft chance 51 was off, even the good doctors, no he wasn't alone, just a different normal.

Huffing and puffing he got his bed set up and went to bring the rest of his furniture in his new house. Putting up the bed made it more real, sheets, pillowcases, pillows, covers and now he was really home. The bed inviting he still had to return the van and maybe rearrange furniture or lack thereof. He hadn't realized how puny his old furniture looked in the big ranch house along with how old they looked. Well he would have to do something about it, although shopping for appliances had caused him enough anxiety.

Looking around he closed the door and headed back to his rented van.

"Hello," a grey haired gentleman approached him.

"Hello," Gage said tentatively.

"Um I'm your next door neighbor Gary Houghton," Gary offered his hand.

"Well nice to meet you," John shook his hand vigorously. "I'm John Gage."

"Um, you know my daughter makes a mean pot roast," Houghton smiled his blue eyes twinkling he wore jeans, flannel shirt, with a receding hairline he looked very friendly.

"Well that's really nice Mr. Houghton and…"

"Gary, please seeing as we're neighbors and all," Gary smiled.

"Well Gary, you see," John stuck his hands on his hips as he looked at the dollies on his porch. "I've got to take the rental van back and get my car you see and then I plan on just ordering pizza and relaxing a bit."

"Oh for you and your family?" Houghton smiled.

"Ah ha, no Gary I'm not married, no kids. Just me. Now if you'll excuse me I got to go," John took both of the dollies.

"Let me help you," Houghton took one of the dollies and followed John out to his van. He put the dollies in the back.

"Thanks again Gary, really," John shook his hand.

"Well welcome to the neighborhood John," Gary waved as John drove away.

*****

Once settled John ate his pizza and drank his nice cold beer, before long he had fallen asleep in his couch, his snoring a painful reminder of how tired he was.

***

Gary picked at his food and looked at his beautiful daughter. Their ranch house was just like their neighbors only the bedrooms were reversed.

"So honey how was work?" Houghton looked at the spitting image of his late wife, brunette, brown eyes and a nice smile.

"It was work Dad, were you bothering our new neighbor?" Arlene looked at her upset father.

"Well you have to be friendly," he volunteered.

"Trying to play matchmaker again Dad? Really the guy's barely moved in and…"

"Now wait a minute," Gary put the fork down, "I was being friendly since we are neighbors."

"Grandpa all ready told me he didn't have kids," Katie frowned.

"Tattle tale," Gary touched his granddaughter's nose and made her giggle.

"C'mon Dad just give him a chance to get settled, then we can invite him over," Arlene bargained with him.

"All right honey I will. Seems like an awfully nice man and I think he's a fireman too," Gary attacked his meal with relish.

Arlene rolled her eyes, "really Dad have you been spying?"

"No honey he was over here earlier this week and I happened to see his dry cleaning when he brought it in. You know I know some of the guys in the department and all," Gary looked sheepishly.

"Yes, Dad I know. One of these days your snooping is going to get you into trouble." Arlene stood up.

"No I'll do the dishes tonight," Gary started to pick up the dishes from the table. "That young man really missed a good dinner though didn't he Katie."

"Oh Dad you're impossible," Arlene laughed as Katie and her father cleaned up the remains of dinner.