Volunteering Your Heart

by Lo'Ren A Mayler

  She pulled at jean pockets, forcing Jak’s body against her own. Eyes looking as dark as charcoal under the night sky. When Jak kissed her, there was a shock to her system. Pure electricity racing from her lips to her now throbbing center. Her touch turned urgent, needing an outlet for the energy building within her. She needed Jak to touch her. To feel the parts of her she kept hidden.

  Hands glided over the expanse of her halter and down to her jeans. The voltage now a never-ending pulse in the base of her stomach as she felt the button being undone. The lowering of her zipper caused a moan to escape. Jak’s hand ran under her shirt, thumbs sliding along the bottom of her bust and back down. Slipping her hands over, what Sam knew to be, thin damp silk. Before Jak could touch the velvet of Sam’s skin, there were lights flashing on the other side of the truck.

  “Shit.”

  She could see Sam step away, hurriedly buttoning her pants, in her peripherals. The majority of her attention now focused on the black and white police car. She walked to the back of her truck and hoped to give Sam a moment to compose herself. The cop had pulled in perpendicular to the truck, which was backed in the space. Walking to towards the tailgate put her on the driver side of the police car.

  “Officer, how can I help you?”

  “Someone called, reporting suspicious behavior. Why don’t you let me know what you’re doing out here?” The officer asked sternly. He didn’t seem to have actually seen anything himself, which would work in their favor.

  “Me an…” Jak turned to gesture at Sam, but she was gone. Believing to have seen a figure, out of the corner of her eye, walking towards Monroe St. When she turned back, the officer was waiting, “I was just trying to get some items from my truck, since I will be leaving it here for the night. My buddy and I are drinking up the street.”

  “Is this your truck?” The officer seemed to be waiting for an excuse. For any hiccup in her story.

  “Yes Sir. Do you need me to get the registration for you?”

  “What is your name?”

  Jak produced her license. “Jaklyn Wright.”

  Of course, the black kid got called in as suspicious. Probably thought I was breaking into the truck or robbing Sam. Ludicrous. The officer looked at it and handed it back. She presumed that he had already ran the plate and was matching it to her name.

  “Okay, it seems to match up. Just do me a favor and don’t hang around out here. I don’t want to get any more calls…and don’t drive.”

  “Of course. You won’t hear about me again.” Prick. He could have said sorry for the misunderstanding or apologized for people’s ignorance. “Have a good night.”

  “You too,” the officer replied gruffly. Her insistence on being polite and helpful clearly irritating him further.

  Jak opened the door and pretended to rummage for something in the console. Then left the truck and locked it. Her eyes gazed down the road, where Sam had disappeared. Think! She isn’t from here. The accent was south not Midwest. If she isn’t parked in this lot, maybe she walked. Jaky was walking up Fulton when it hit her. Across from Hoops was the Pere Marquette. She could be staying there.

  Jaky walked into the lobby and went straight to the Great Room. She had been in the hotel before and did not need directions. Praying that she had went to the bar and not her room. Why didn’t you get a last name? What school she worked at? Where she is from? No, you were too busy ogling her! She scanned the gold couches and the bar, but Sam was nowhere in sight. There wasn’t so much as a crumb to follow or slipper to clutch to. Maybe she doubled back to Hoops to find me.

  Once out of the hotel she ran across the street, no reason to be worried about traffic at midnight. The door swung open and Mike walked towards her. He had been watching the door for the next beautiful young thing to walk through. The bar now had about thirty people, which was crowded for a small place like this. There were people milling about in the aisle, making it difficult to spot her right away.

  “Hey, way to go. I couldn’t believe my own eyes. How was she?”

  Jak ignored him and walked through the crowd to the bar.

  “Hello, Jak?” Mike was waving a hand in front of her face.

  “Did she come back in?” At his confused expression she continued, “Sam, did she come back here?”

  “What? Who is Sam?”

  “The blonde!” Come on! Keep up! Her mind screamed at his ignorance.

  “No, haven’t seen her since you two left. Why?”

  “I gotta find her!”

  Samantha leaned against the door for a second to catch her breath. What was I thinking? The moment the lights flashed, she started to walk out of sight. Praying the officer wouldn’t follow. Public indecently? Lewd acts in a public place? You could lose your job!

  As much as Sam had enjoyed losing herself with Jak, the idea was also frightening. She had made Sam feel like there wasn’t another woman in the room. Like she was special and wanted. Letting her guard down was not an option. She had learned that lesson long ago from her mother, Nikki and every woman in between. It was just the alcohol. That’s it. That is why you feel this way. Sam knew on some level, she couldn’t blame Jak entirely. She had made every move. She had led Jak from the bar. Had been the first to pull them closer.

  Her heart fluttered at the thought of Jak’s lips. Of the hand that had slid into her pants. She physically shook the memory off and wandered to the minibar. Pouring a generous amount of Angel’s Envy into her tulip shaped whiskey glass before she walked to her bedroom. Standing at the large window, overlooking the city from the twenty-fifth floor, Sam searched for a glimpse of the woman that had ignited her body. She should have stayed or walked back to the bar. Instead she hightailed it right back to her condo and hoped to forget about this night. Forget the stirrings that still burned low in her belly. The blinding smile that deafened the crowded bar. The way her body responded to the slightest touch. Most of all, forget her chocolate firefighter.

  Jak searched everywhere, including the hotel bar again. She even flirted with the woman at the desk to find out if a Samantha was staying there, which got her nowhere. She did not know of any Samantha, or variation of the name, staying there yesterday, today or tomorrow. She searched surrounding bars. Double checked the parking lot.

  Finally admitting defeat, Jak called a cab. She wasn’t drunk, but didn’t like her chances of being stopped by the same cop. She didn’t bother saying bye to Mike. Knowing she would hear all about his night tomorrow anyway.

  Sitting in the cab, Jaky replayed her night with the mysterious beauty. Just because she said Samantha is her name, doesn’t mean she was telling the truth. She was meeting a coworker, so she could live in town or she could be here for a conference. Wake up! She could be lying about everything from her name, to her job, to why she was in the bar. Girls lied about their names all the time to strangers.

  “She didn’t feel like a stranger,” Jaky said to no one.

  The truth was, they had shared very little with each other. Both sticking to innocuous topics and flirting. They hadn’t stayed in the bar long. The more Jak stared at Sam, the more she wanted her. Her blood pressure rose from the simplest of things. The lick of her lips. An innocent caress. The look in her eyes that made my skin melt off. Why did that cop have to come along? More importantly, who would call on them? Jak knew there was no street or parking lot view of them. No one could have seen… unless it was someone from the bar. Maybe one of the guys was jealous Jak had gotten the girl. What does it matter now? She is gone.

  Yellow Checker Cab pulled up to Jak’s apartment building. Really it was a couple long, one story, brown buildings on a dead-end road. There was no sign announcing it was there. If you didn’t know it existed, you never would. She bumped the door with her hip to open it and nearly fell onto the cheap carpet.

  The apartment was small, nearly five hundred square feet. One bedroom, one bathroom and shared laundry. Jaky didn’t care what it looked like. It was cheap, clean, in a nice neighborhood
and close to the firehouse. Walking to her bedroom, she stripped out of her too tight pants, shirt and wet boxers. Replaced them with fresh bottoms.

  The refrigerator hummed as she grabbed a beer. At last coming to rest on her leather recliner. Comfortable in her pajama pants and sports bra. She didn’t flip on the TV or check her phone. Not wanting to distance herself from the memory of the goddess she had let slip through her fingers.

  Once she was positive there were no clues to Sam’s identity, Jak sat trying to picture every feature. To remember every inch of Samantha. Everything she saw and felt.

  The hours ticked by and Jak still carried the picture of Sam in her mind. She tried to tell herself to let it go. She is too good for you. You will never see her again. Of course, there was no use arguing with herself. Beating her brain would never turn back the clocks.

  Sam stayed in the forefront of her mind, refusing to allow sleep to claim her. Who are you? Where did you come from? Are you a dream?

  IV

  Darkness encased them, but he could see everything. Evil could always be seen, even on the blackest of nights. He had been waiting to approach the angel before Jak had sat down. It took every ounce of willpower not to deck her for even considering tainting such purity. Schooling his emotions as he watched them, waiting for Jak to walk away. He had thought her above such tricks, evils. Surely angels must be immune.

  Something was amiss. This wasn’t possible. Somehow she had been corrupted, taken into the night. Immediately knowing that he had to follow. Who wouldn’t watch over such a beautiful creature? He watched as they left, together. Jak’s arm slithered around her. Carefully creeping under the cover of darkness. I know where she is going, where she parks. If the hotel was not their planned destination, Wright would take her back to her apartment. He could see Jak, like a cave man, hitting her pray with a club. Golden locks dragged back to her cave. No. The she-devil would not physically harm her target. She would corrupt the mind. Use illusions to get a woman to betray her innocence.

  Sticking to the shadows, he followed closely behind, but they didn’t leave the parking lot. He had to get a closer look. Make sure she was protected. Safe from the darkness, free from Jak’s clutches.

  He crept closer, to inspect for deviant acts. Any hint that an immediate rescue would need to be facilitated. Every step bringing him closer. It was hard to get a clear view. Walking halfway up the block to see around the colossal truck. Then he heard it, a moan. No, I can’t let this happen. I have to do something. How can I keep Jak’s hooks from digging deeper into her soul? Devastated, once he was able to catch the slightest glimpse, at having to witness them kissing and touching. Shadows dancing as if there was no fire. No all-consuming flame to damn them for eternity.

  Adrenaline raced as he ran around the corner. Hoping not to be overheard, as he fumbled for his phone and punched in the number.

  “911 Where is your emergency?” The operator stated.

  “Fulton Street Parking Lot in Peoria.”

  “What is going on there?”

  He could hear tapping through the line, caused by the operator’s typing.

  “There are two people outside. They are at a truck behind the transportation building. I’m afraid a woman is being hurt.”

  “Why do you think she is being hurt? What is happening?”

  “I’m not sure. I can hear a lot of noise. Please help her!”

  He was starting to panic. They aren’t going to get here in time. She would be lost, driven away from the light.

  “We already have people on the way. Can you describe them to me?”

  “One is black, wearing jeans and a tee-shirt, I don’t know what color. The other is a white female, blonde hair, in a pink shirt and jeans.”

  “What is it that you heard? Did you see any weapons?”

  “I don’t know. They are making noise in the parking lot. I didn’t see a weapon, but I don’t know.”

  “Are they intoxicated? Can you tell if anyone needs an ambulance?”

  “Maybe. I think they came from a bar. I don’t know. I can’t see them. Just send someone already!”

  “Okay Sir, they should be pulling up now. Do you want to speak with the officer?”

  “No.”

  “What is your name?”

  “I’m no one.” He disconnected. Watching as a figure snuck off, the squad car lighting the empty street. I did it! I saved her. Relief flooded him like a tidal wave.

  He didn’t stick around to relish in Jak’s punishment. If righteousness prevailed, it would be swift and harsh. Instead, he followed the light cast from a floating halo. Leading him all the way back to Twin Towers. Making sure she made it safely away from Jak.

  “Good night my angel. Please know that I am watching over you. I will keep you safe from the hidden dangers of this world. From snakes in the grass like that monstrous woman.”

  There would be other days to get better acquainted with the beacon of goodness, currently hidden behind closed doors. Now that she was safe, he could return to the bar. Finally able to enjoy the night. Free from distractions and worries.

  Tomorrow will bring a new day with endless possibilities. An opportunity to do better, to be better, for her.

  V

  “I hope you reviewed the reading last night. Does anyone have any questions?” no one moved. “Alright, flip to Act II. We will pick up where we left off yesterday.”

  They were reading Much Ado About Nothing. You would think they would be more enthusiastic about reading a comedy, but no…

  Sam was sure most of the class had not even glanced at the reading. If they had, there would be an inquiry or twenty. As, more often than not, students didn’t understand it. Why won’t they just read along? Heck we are reading it aloud in class, they could just listen. If they ask questions, I can explain it to them. It was the same thing every year.

  She often wondered why she bothered teaching at all. There were about twenty students in the class. Two always went to sleep the moment the bell rang. A small group in the back would sneak notes or try to use their phones, when they thought Sam wasn’t paying attention. You’re right, no one can see your glowing crotch. There were daydreamers, doodlers and, worst of all was that one, I don’t give a crap about anything.

  “Marcus,” Sam called on one of the sleepers and indicated the reading. With an audible sigh he picked up the book.

  I pray you, what is he?

  Heads turned as the harsh rhythmic buzzer of the school fire alarm sounded.

  “Alright class, move safely down the hall and to the right. You know the drill. I’ll meet you outside by the flagpole for head count.”

  Everyone filed out calmly. There was no cause for alarm when schools conducted drills all the time, without telling the teachers. They referred to it as preparedness training.

  Assorted tones went off on Jaky’s pager, effectively ending the broken bits of rests that she called sleep. She hadn’t had a good night’s sleep all week, not since meeting Sam. It was Friday morning and her shift at Caterpillar had just ended at seven a.m.

  Washington Station One

  115 Bondurant Street, Washington High School, Zone One

  Fire Alarm

  Again, Washington Station One

  115 Bondurant Street, Washington High School, Zone One

  Fire Alarm

  Time Out 0932

  Jak was already dressed and running out the door before hearing the squelch that ended every page. She was at the station in five minutes and just made the first truck.

  “What took you so long Jaklyn?” Stewart asked from the seat next to her. Jaky put her radio in the holster, her arms through the SCBA straps and buckled her seatbelt.

  “I was asleep, but it’s so sweet of you to worry about me Stewy,” she said as she closed her turnout coat. He cringed as she used his “pet” name.

  Her hands automatically tightened the straps and attached her mask to her pack. She didn’t have to think about it, the movements were no
w routine. Forever imprinted in her mind.

  “What did they say when you called in?”

  Jaky didn’t know who she was speaking to, as her back was to the driver.

  “Alarm Company called it in,” John replied.

  Jak knew if it was called in by the alarm company, it was most likely a malfunction or a kid pulled it. Just because majority of calls were false alarms didn’t mean she would show up unprepared. It was always easier to be prepared for the worse, than assume it was routine and be ill equipped for an emergency. That got people hurt or, god forbid, killed.

  She took in her crew. Mike was in the officer’s seat. John Waller was the driver, an older man who couldn’t do interior anymore. He was a good driver and pump operator, but his knees just couldn’t do the job. Too much crawling around on floors and stairs had worn them down. Ted Mitchell was a life member and could lead an incident just as well as any officer. Elijah Thomas had about three years in the department. Young legs were always needed but Jak wasn’t sure, yet, if he would be a lifer. He was focused on school and not in the real world, with real responsibilities. Liam Howard was a probie. He hadn’t, as of yet, been to Academy. So, he wasn’t allowed in the building but could assist with hooking up the hydrant and exterior work such as: moving hoses, changing out oxygen bottles, getting tools, etc. Stewart Schneider, or Stewy as she called him, was a couple years older than her. They had gone to academy together ten years ago. He was a good firefighter but liked to question Mike’s leadership.

  As the truck pulled up to the school, Jak unbuckled her seat beat and pulled the cord to release her pack. They didn’t have to talk about who went where. Assignments were distributed by seat. One, Two and Three went inside. Four hooked up to a hydrant if necessary. Five and Six would search for victims. Driver always stayed with the truck. Should this turn into a job, the Driver would become the pump operator.