"This place is so cool!" Christopher said excitedly as he looked around the station in awe. They'd just parked in the visitor's area after following the fire truck. It wasn't too far away from their house, so it would probably be the station that would respond to any calls they made. Eddie hoped he never had to find out for sure.
Chris hadn't been able to stop talking about how much fun this was going to be during the ride over. Eddie loved seeing his son so happy about something again. It didn't even matter that it was because of someone else. He would take what he could get. And he was kind of excited too. Interacting with other people, instead of holing up at home, was nice.
"I'm so glad you guys could come," Buck said, greeting them from the back of the fire truck. His smile was infectious and Eddie couldn't help but match it.
"Thanks again for inviting us. You've probably made Chris' whole year," Eddie replied, squeezing his son's shoulder.
"How about I give you a tour? Bobby's upstairs cooking up some lunch and I've got nothing I have to do. Unless a call comes in, of course."
"Lead the way," Eddie agreed, tamping down his impulse to leave, for fear of being in the way. Buck was offering and as far as he'd seen, he wasn't the type to be disingenuous.
"Let's start with the truck." Buck was painstakingly detailed as he walked them around the outside of the truck, explaining what everything was and letting Chris ask all of his questions. Some people only cared about getting a chance to climb inside or honk the horn, admittedly fun things, but his son soaked up information like a sponge. If there was something to know, he wanted to know it. Eddie hoped he'd never lose his love of learning.
"This looks just like the one in the book you gave me," Christopher said, gently touching the hose.
"When the water pumps through them, they can be really hard to control. This one can spray almost 200 gallons per minute when we're fighting fires. And it's not even the biggest one."
"That's a lot of water."
"It is. But it's important for us to put out a fire as fast as we can, so it doesn't spread."
"I think I want to be a firefighter when I grow up. I used to want to be a veterinarian, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to anymore," Chris sighed. Eddie felt his breath catch in his throat. He needed to do damage control, but what did he say? He couldn't tell the truth, but the way Chris worded it made it sound like Eddie had forbidden him from going after his dreams. It was either let himself look like some horrible father or some other answer Eddie wasn't smart or fast enough to come up with.
"Chris, that's- of course you- uh-"
"I had to try out a lot of different things before I became a firefighter," Buck said, interrupting Eddie's stammering. "The important thing is loving what you end up doing."
"My backup is being an astronaut," Chris said casually, moving on from the conversation as if he hadn't almost given his dad a heart attack.
"A solid plan," Buck agreed, taking it all in stride. They could just chalk it up to kids being kids. They got through the rest of the firehouse tour without raising Eddie's blood pressure. Buck was patient and informative throughout the whole thing, not once looking like he wasn't enjoying himself. By the end, Eddie had let himself relax enough to enjoy it as well.
"Lunch will be ready in 10," Bobby called out from the upper floor.
"We should get out of your hair," Eddie said, already backing toward the exit.
"No way! You should join us!" Buck insisted, tilting his head and sniffing. "Oh, that's Cap's lasagna."
"We couldn't impose."
"You're right, because it wouldn't be an imposition at all since I'm inviting you. Unless you're sick of me," Buck grinned, daring him to say yes. Eddie didn't think it was possible for anyone to get sick of Buck.
"Fine," Eddie conceded.
"Yes! I love lasagna," Chris said excitedly.
"Bobby's the best cook. He taught me everything I know. And he always makes a ton, so you can have as much as you want."
"Maybe he can teach my dad too." Eddie was about to argue that Chris didn't need to try and recruit cooking instructors for him when one of the doors to the station slid up and an ambulance drove in. Chris watched the truck in awe, just as charmed by it as he was by the giant ladder engine. The two medics from the scene earlier hopped out, chatting to each other as they walked toward the lockers in the corner.
"Hey guys, we have guests," Buck called out to them. They turned back, noting their presence with surprise.
"The guy from the cafe?" the man questioned as he recognized him.
"This is Chimney and Hen. Guys, these are my new neighbors, Eddie and Christopher."
"Ah, the fabled neighbors," Chimney said with a grin. Now Eddie was really curious about what Buck was saying about him. Whenever his parents introduced him to people, they did it in a way that he could tell he'd been spoken of before and probably not shone in the best light. Their troublesome child. The one that caused them stress. The one who made the bad decisions in life. "Good to finally put a face to the stories."
"Nice to meet you," Eddie replied politely. "I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask, but how was the man from the cafe when you left him?" Eddie glanced down at Christopher, hoping that if the news was bad, they would censor it accordingly.
"He was stable, thanks to you." Eddie let out a sigh of relief.
"You didn't even break any of his ribs," Hen added. "You've got skills."
"He probably has strong bones," Eddie waved off. He couldn't say that he had years of experience performing first aid. And he didn't like to take credit for things anyway.
"Cap's lasagna is almost ready. You should go wash up before I eat it all," Buck declared, smirking at the look of horror on Hen and Chimney's faces.
"You wouldn't dare, Buckley," Chimney warned, rushing off with Hen to get cleaned up.
"Come on," Buck said, waving for them to follow him. "Let's get up there before all the good seats are taken." Eddie wanted to offer to leave again, but Chris was already rushing after Buck. There was no getting out of this now.
Eddie carried Chris up the large staircase that led to the second floor. There was a sitting area with a TV and games. A large dining table sat behind it, which was already set with dishes and silverware. A few people who hadn't been on the call were already seated, passing around salad and rolls.
"You guys can sit here, next to me," Buck directed, pulling out two chairs. Eddie got Chris settled before he sat down, looking around the space in awe.
"This is amazing. You guys always eat like this?" Eddie asked.
"Bobby is big on eating together when we can. It's not always possible, since a call could come at any time, but it's nice when we can get through a meal without interruption."
"It's like a family," Eddie said quietly, staring down at this plate as he got caught up in memories. He shared so many meals like this when he was younger with his family. His abuela would cook for hours, sneaking him tastes when he'd wander into the kitchen. He stopped going in when he was older, since his mother would scold him for it. She'd tell him that he was in the way and not to bother people, since it wasn't like he knew how to help. He still cherished those times they were all seated around the table, even if he didn't contribute to the conversation much. It was hitting him that Chris would never have those moments anymore.
"You good?" Buck asked, reaching around Christopher to nudge his arm gently. Why did Buck have to be so observant? And why did Eddie want to spill his guts to him? Eddie was never the type to open up, but it was like now that doing it was completely not allowed, that's when he wanted to. No matter what, Eddie always wanted the wrong thing.
"I'm good," Eddie lied, taking a drink of water to escape any further questioning. Chimney and Hen quickly joined them, getting their plates ready as they chatted about earlier calls they'd been on. Besides family dinners, they reminded him of sharing meals in the mess hall. Times where you shot the shit with people dealing with the same things you were. There wasn't really a club for people in Eddie's position.
"Lunch is served," Bobby said, carrying over a pan that smelled heavenly. If this was the guy who'd taught Buck what he knew about cooking, Eddie knew they were in for a treat. He passed around the pan, letting everyone take a serving. Buck glared at him when he tried to take a tiny piece, so he scooped up a little more.
"Thank you so much for having us. We really appreciate it," Eddie said to Bobby. This felt like a home more than a place of work, so it meant a lot that they would allow an outsider in.
"Any friend of Buck's is a friend of ours," Bobby said jovially, nodding for him to dig in. Eddie took a bite, and then his eyes practically rolled out of his skull.
"Oh wow," Eddie sighed as soon as he swallowed.
"Good?" Bobby questioned.
"That's not a strong enough word for this."
"Told you," Buck laughed, practically inhaling his own serving. Eddie felt the urge to do the same, but he took his time. He wanted to savor this.
"If you ever want any tips, I'd be happy to help you," Bobby offered kindly. "Buck told me the two of you were thinking of trying to cook together sometime."
"Oh, did he?" Eddie muttered, glancing over at Buck. He was looking pointedly at his plate and shoveling food in his mouth so he couldn't talk. He wondered what other things Buck said about him. "I'm kind of a disaster in the kitchen. I would just frustrate you."
"Usually when people have trouble learning something, it's not because they are bad students, it's because they've had bad teachers. It's because people get set in their ways and think there's only one way of doing things, instead of adapting to the other person's needs," Bobby explained. "I've had a lot of practice over the years being a captain and I can tell you, what's worked for someone like Chimney or Hen wouldn't work for Buck."
"Because we are perfect," Chimney bragged.
"Because they have different strengths and weaknesses. It's about meeting people where they are and helping them grow, instead of pushing unrealistic expectations on them. I don't know if I'd be able to make you into a Michelin star chef, but a few go to staples you could expand on? That seems doable."
"I don't know," Eddie mumbled, feeling a bit uncomfortable from the attention. And the casual advice that was surprisingly deep. After internalizing that every failure of his was a personal character flaw, it felt weird to hear differently. Even though Bobby was talking in general and not specifically about him, the man did seem wise. If he said something, Eddie had the urge to believe it. "I do appreciate the offer."
"No pressure," Bobby shrugged, going back to his meal. Eddie felt awkward, like he'd made the wrong choice, but like he'd said to Buck before when he offered to help him with cooking, he couldn't commit to anything right now. And it felt better to say no upfront, instead of making plans and canceling. Eddie had to put his all into finding a job and that was all he could handle.
"Do you guys have room for one more?" A woman asked from the top of the stairs.
"Maddie! Did you come to see me?" Buck asked excitedly, standing up to greet her as she walked over.
"Not exactly," she laughed, patting Buck on the shoulder before going to the other side of the table and giving Chimney a peck on the lips. "My shift just ended so I thought I'd come and see Chimney."
"My sister starts dating and suddenly I'm chopped liver," Buck grumbled petulantly.
"You could always go back to your old ways and pick up someone at a bar this weekend," Chimney suggested.
"I don't do stuff like that," Buck hissed.
"Anymore, maybe."
"Either way, I don't want to hear about it. And I don't think it's appropriate conversation in this company," she said, nodding toward Christopher. Eddie glanced at his son, who was more enthralled in his food than the conversation around him.
"This is Eddie and his son, Christopher," Chimney introduced.
"Oh. Nice to meet you."
"Buck's new neighbors."
"Oh," Maddie said more knowingly. Eddie really needed to know what Buck was telling people about him.
"Nice to meet you too. Although, I think we sort of met already earlier. The cardiac arrest at the cafe?"
"That was you?" Maddie asked in surprise, sitting down in the chair Chimney carried over for her. "Small world."
"I'm glad I was there to help."
"You did a really good job. And made my job a lot easier. Most people panic, which is understandable, or don't know what to do. Are you a first responder?"
"Uh, no. I'm kind of not anything at the moment."
"Right. You just moved here. Were you before?" Maddie asked. Eddie felt put on the spot and he wasn't sure what to say. A flat out denial with no details usually left people more curious, but Eddie was terrible at coming up with believable lies on the spot.
"What's with the interrogation, Maddie?" Buck questioned, staring at her pointedly.
"I'm just making conversation, Evan," Maddie shot back, matching his gaze. It made Eddie think of his own sisters. They had no issue calling him on his crap, but it was more loving than his parents. He missed them. "And if you're looking for a job, I think you'd be great as a dispatcher. You stayed calm under pressure and any background in healthcare is a bonus."
"I don't have any credentials, just some training here and there." The lack of credentials was true now and his training was severely downplayed, but he figured it wasn't an outright lie.
"Even still, just knowing basic first aid would give you a leg up. And a personal reference from me. My bosses love me."
"Maddie's first day there was when we had that big earthquake. She handled it like a rockstar," Buck said proudly. "And this is actually a good idea. They're always looking for hard working, qualified people. You'd be a great fit."
"I don't know," Eddie said, although the idea did sound amazing. He'd be able to help people again in a safe, stable environment. It wasn't as hands on as he was used to, but beggars couldn't be choosers. There were concerns though. "Don't you have to work crazy hours? I can't exactly up and leave at random hours of the day."
"They might be able to work with you on scheduling, but the shifts are long," Maddie replied, looking contemplative. Eddie never wanted Christopher to think he was a burden, but any child had to be considered when it came to working hours. He didn't have a spouse or family to fall back on. And while the security job wasn't ideal, it had a set schedule.
"If this is really something you want, I think I know someone who would be the solution to your childcare situation," Buck said, looking at Eddie in excitement. "I can set up a meeting and you can talk with her about your concerns. I'm sure it will work out."
"This is assuming I'd even get the job. I could be terrible."
"I doubt that, but you'd need childcare for any job you got, right? And my friend is the best. She'd be able to help you with anything you needed." Eddie wondered if she'd be able to act as a bodyguard so he wouldn't panic at the thought of Christopher being out of his sight. But Eddie knew that he'd have to get over his fears and do something for the rest of his life, if only to make Christopher's life better in the long run. And he'd probably find no better offer than the one that had just fallen into his lap. If it didn't work out, he would only be right back to where he was now. What was the harm in trying?
"Let's do it."