Nicky Morrison was 33 years old. After his dad died many years ago, he had felt a duty to his mother and sister. He took care of them, even at a young age. His mother had tried to be strong for the family, but it wasn't hard to see that she was broken up inside. Although she didn't cry as much as he thought she would, she had changed. Much more serious, and protective. Captain Mike Kennedy had also tried to be there for Linda, but he had become increasingly busy and she was always nervous when she saw him, getting flashbacks of the unforgettable night.
Although Nicky had been upset with his father, for promising that nothing would ever happen to him at work, he knew that his father had done something admirable, and deserved to be respected. Nicky even had become a firefighter, hoping to make his father proud. He married an EMS, Shari who had been at one of his fire sights. The couple had a daughter, 2 year old Danitra. Shari understood how important Nicky's duty was, relating to the feeling of saving another human being. But she also knew very well the risk that Nicky faced everyday, seeing and treating the injuries resulting from burns, smoke inhalation, and other wounds. She saw what these heroes risked for others in danger.
"You're late," remarked Shari bitterly as she finished her dinner.
"I-uh, I'm sorry sweetie. But I don't mind that the food's gone cold. Mmmm, is this a new recipe?" replied Nicky, trying to change the subject.
Shari glared at her husband.
"Oh, so you're not going to elaborate, are you? How close to death were you today? Or, were you out with the guys, not calling and filling me with worry for nothing, no reason at all? Huh! You come home, apologize quickly, don't explain after I've spent the afternoon pacing and checking my watch and dusting the mantle 20 times out of anxiety. You're an hour and a half late Nicky. A record. If you don't want to tell me what happened, that's fine. But don't go harping on me for restraining you, keeping you from the firehouse. I'm your wife you know. Does that matter to you at all? I love you, and if anything ever happened to you-"
"Something like what happened to my father? You honestly think I would leave you like that? I'm telling you, that was years ago. Fire departments are better equipped, better trained. There's more technology. Nothing is going to happen to me, alright. I know I'm late, but Kyle had to leave in the middle of his shift because his mother had a heartattack. I told him I would finish for him, and we got called out right after, there was no chance to call you."
"You know as well as I do that accidents still happen. I take care of them everyday. Don't think that nothing can happen to you, and don't start telling me that just to make me feel better. I know that you would never get hurt on purpose, but look at your dad. These things do happen, and it could happen just as well to you as it did to him. I don't care how long ago that was," cried Shari, gasping for breath and tears filling her eyes.
"I know," whispered Nicky, wrapping his wife in an embrace.