Chapter 2
BEE CAVE FIRE STATION 3 – BEE CAVE, TEXAS
Vince sat down on the break room couch while four other firefighters sat looking at their phones.
"So," Vince said. "We haven't really had any emergencies in the past few days. I guess people in Bee Cave are staying safe."
Everyone stayed silent.
"Okay," Vince said, pointing at a pool table. "You all want to play a game? That pool table over there looks fun!"
Everyone still stayed silent.
"It's been real quiet around here!" Vince shouted.
The fire bell went off and everyone sprang up and got into uniform. As they rushed off in the fire engine, Vince smiled.
"Finally!" Vince cheered. "Something exciting!"
The team arrived at a house. Once they got out, a little boy ran up to them.
"Help!" the little boy shouted. "It's a real emergency!"
"What is it?" Vince asked. "Is something on fire? Did someone collapse? Is someone hurt?"
"No!" the little boy shouted, pointing up. "My cat is stuck in a tree!"
Vince looked up to see a grey cat sitting on a branch of a tree.
"You have got to be kidding me," Vince said. "Even the emergencies are lame."
OKLAHOMA CITY
Jackson arrived at Station 37 to see Tucker and Aaliyah waiting for him.
"Why did you ask me to come?" Jackson asked.
"We need your help," Tucker replied.
"I'm not helping you," Jackson said. "It's because of you that Vince is living in Austin and working in some suburban fire station."
"I know you don't like me," Tucker said. "But please help us. We need to get Vince back."
"Just so you can continue shacking up with him?" Jackson asked. "No thank you!"
"Okay!" Tucker shouted. "I'm getting really tired of you badmouthing me for the relationship I had with Vince! I love him!"
"Stop it!" Aaliyah shouted. "This isn't about you two! It's about me getting my best friend back!"
"Aaliyah," Jackson said. "I know we all want Vince to come home. But he doesn't want to. You'll just have to deal with it. Now I need to get to work."
"Please help us, Jackson," Tucker said. "I'm sorry I caused all this."
"Tucker," Jackson said. "I really don't want to talk to you. Just leave me alone. Leave Vince alone. He's trying to rebuild his life. Just let him."
Jackson exited the station and Tucker looked at Aaliyah.
"Maybe he's right," Tucker said. "Let's just let Vince live his life."
"So, you're just giving up on him?" Aaliyah asked in a hurt tone. "He's the love of your life and you're giving up on him?"
Aaliyah stormed out of the station towards her car. Tucker quickly followed her.
"Aaliyah!" Tucker hollered.
"If you won't come with me, then I'm going to get Vince back myself!" Aaliyah shouted.
"Be reasonable!" Tucker shouted.
"I am being reasonable!" Aaliyah shouted.
Aaliyah got into her car and plugged in her phone. She then buckled and drove away.
"Hey, Siri," Aaliyah said. "Give me directions to Austin, Texas."
"Getting directions to Austin…" Siri said.
