by Harmon, AJ
As they closed the door behind them Cleo attacked them with kisses and love. Vince collapsed to the floor as Cleo rubbed all over him and left a trail of saliva over his face. He laughed loudly and kissed her with equal affection.
“Oh I’ve missed you too sweetheart,” he gushed.
“If people could only see her now they wouldn’t be so intimidated by her on the street,” Jerry laughed.
“Well, we won’t tell them, will we?” Beth grinned.
“Can we take her for a while? Please?” Vince pleaded.
“Of course,” Beth laughed. “How can I say no to that?” she laughed as Cleo rolled onto her back so Vince could rub her tummy.
“Thanks. We’ll have her back in a couple of hours.”
“Take your time,” Beth smiled. “I’m not going anywhere. Just here working.”
The two men leashed Cleo as her tail wagged wildly and they closed the door behind them. It was suddenly very quiet and Beth went back to the sofa and returned to the murder mystery she was reading, although there wasn’t much mystery to it. The ex-girlfriend killed him. This manuscript wouldn’t make a best-seller list. In fact, she would probably be the only person to read it, other than the author.
*****
With the new month came a new shift for Tim. He was working a day shift. He really didn’t care which shift he worked. He lived by himself and came and went as he pleased with nobody to consult about his schedule.
It was Friday and he was actually only working half a day. Tomorrow his older brother David was getting married and this evening he had a rehearsal dinner to attend. He had a couple more things to do and then he was off for the weekend. He checked his email and then went down to do a final once over of the truck before he left the station. It wasn’t required of him to give everything the once-over, but he did it anyway.
After stowing all of his response gear inside his locker, he turned to find a large German Shepherd sitting at his feet. He hadn’t even heard her approach.
“I know you,” he grinned. “How are you girl?” He scratched Cleo between the ears and she tilted her head into his hand. “Where’s your mom?”
Tim looked up expecting to see Beth but she was nowhere to be seen. He picked up the leash that was lying on the concrete and walked Cleo out to the street and looked in both directions. He didn’t see her anywhere.
“Did you run away?” he asked. “Let’s go find your mom.”
*****
Beth was surprised to hear the knock on the door. Jerry and Vince had only been gone for about an hour. She didn’t expect them back so soon.
“That was quick,” she said as she opened the door. “Oh!”
Tim stood at the door, Cleo sitting next to him. “Hi,” he replied.
“What? Why do you…where’s Jerry and Vince?”
“Who?”
“Jer…never mind. How do you have my dog? Why do you have my dog?”
“She came to the firehouse. Alone.”
“Oh boy.” Beth ushered Tim and Cleo into her apartment and shut the door. She grabbed her phone and dialed Jerry.
“It’s okay,” she said into the phone. “She’s here. Not sure but she ended up at the fire station and a fireman has brought her home. No, it’s fine. All good. Okay. Bye.” She hung up the phone.
“They are frantically looking for her,” Beth frowned. “Apparently she heard sirens and bolted, almost ripping Vince’s shoulder from the socket.”
They both looked at Cleo who was now snuggled in her bed in the corner of the room looking quite content. The silence that surrounded them was awkward as each of them looked everywhere but at each other. Finally, Beth spoke.
“Can I get you a drink? Coffee? Water?”
Tim shook his head. “No, I’m good thanks.” He smiled and she appeared to blush. He took a moment to study her, while her eyes were directed at the floor. She was tall; probably five eight, and while she wasn’t skinny, she certainly wasn’t fat either. She looked healthy. He appreciated that. She wore jeans and her feet were bare. Her toenails were red. His eyes ran back up her long legs and up to her breasts. They were perfectly proportioned to the rest of her body. She had a long neck and a small nose. Long eyelashes hid her blue eyes and her hair looked like blonde silk. It was straight and fell below her shoulders. And when she spoke, her voice just finished the package. She was as close to perfect as he’d ever seen.
“Well…would you like to come in and sit? Or…?”
“Thanks but I should get going. My brother gets married tomorrow so there’s a dinner I’m supposed to be at this evening.”
“Oh! How lovely,” she smiled.
Yeah, it’ the voice, he thought.
*****
The Bourbon, the restaurant where David’s fiancée worked, was closed to the public. The Lathem’s had booked it for the rehearsal dinner. However, the dining room filled quickly as all the guests arrived.
As Tim sat at the table with his brother Ben, and Aaron, Lindsey’s boss, and his wife Lucy, he watched his married brothers with their partners. It was the first time he’d really studied the way they interacted with their mates.
Andrew was the first to get married. He and his long-time partner, Rory, were just like every couple Tim knew. They had adopted a daughter, Isabelle, who was now eighteen months old and spoiled rotten, but absolutely adorable and she was the apple of her daddies’ eyes.
Matt would walk on fire for Janie. Mark and Katy were perfectly paired. David and Lindsey only had eyes for each other. It was as if nobody else existed. Of course, they were the bride and groom and it was to be expected. But it was Paul and Nic that had Tim’s attention. He really hadn’t noticed the way Paul doted on his wife. And it wasn’t just the obvious stuff, like opening a door or pulling out a chair for her. He held her hand or was touching her in some way all the time. When she was cold, he would drape his jacket over her shoulders. When she was warm he’d get fresh ice water for her. He talked to those around him, but he always had one eye on Nic. He sensed her every desire. He ordered her salad without onions while she was in the bathroom and when it was served to her, she turned to her husband and smiled, placing her hand on his cheek and kissing him sweetly.
He helped her stand. He helped her sit. Yes, she was very pregnant, but he had done it before too, Tim realized. There was a oneness to them that tugged at his heart just a little. Maybe it was because Paul was just a couple of years older than Tim, or maybe it was because of Daniel’s death that was still so very fresh in his mind, but either way, he watched with a pang of longing he’d not experienced before.
The next morning he arrived at St. Luke’s in his new suit and sat on the front row as David pledged his eternal love for Lindsey. It was only a few short months ago that Tim had been teasing his brothers about being completely whipped, when in fact he was now the teeniest bit jealous.
The ceremony was beautiful. Everyone cried. Well, all the women cried, especially Maureen. They endured over an hour of having their photos taken and then they partied in the grand ballroom of The Plaza as some of New York’s most elite families wished the happy couple well.
Once again, Tim found himself at a table with his older brother Ben while the dance floor filled with bodies.
“You don’t ever think about it?”
“What?” Ben asked. “Getting married?”
“Well…yeah.”
“No!” He was adamant.
“Really?”
“Really,” Ben replied. “I’m not sure I’m husband material.”
That made Tim think. Am I?
Ella, his four year old niece didn’t let him consider it for long. “Please dance with me?”
“How can I ever say no to you?” he grinned and lifted her into his arms.
“Daddy is always dancing with mommy,” she frowned.
“Well, I will dance with you any time you want,” he grinned. Looking through the crowd to find Ella’s parents, he located them in the middle of the danc
e floor, entwined in each other’s arms, Matt’s cheek resting on the top of Janie’s head, their eyes closed, and a smile on each of their lips. ‘Wedded bliss’ is what Matt called his life and the picture in front of him left no doubt his brother meant it.
“Will you be my boyfriend?” Ella asked.
Tim laughed. “I can’t sweetheart. I’m your uncle…and way too old for you.”
“Daddy won’t be my boyfriend either. He says I’m not allowed to have one.”
“I bet he does,” Tim chuckled.
Hours of dancing and celebrating followed until the groom took his bride by the hand and led her from the hotel. They were off to Italy for their honeymoon and the crowd whistled and cheered as the limo whisked them away. Eventually most of the guests left and Tim sat at the table nursing a drink. Amanda, an attractive woman he’d met earlier in the evening, slid into the empty seat next to him. She tilted her head just a little and smiled.
“Interested in continuing the party?” she purred.
Tim held the crystal glass in his hand and swirled the remaining amber liquid in circles. He lifted it to his lips and swallowed it in one gulp.
“Let’s get out of here,” he replied as he thumped the glass on the table.
5.
Tim awoke at three in the morning, Amanda’s bare ass pressing into his hip. He’d had an enjoyable evening with her and had made damn sure she’d enjoyed it too. But that was all it was…just one evening.
He slipped from the bed, trying not to disturb her even breathing and picked up his scattered clothing and shoes. Tiptoeing from the bedroom, he quickly dressed in the living room and then silently locked the door behind him as he left her apartment. There was no point in staying ‘til morning. There would be an awkwardness as they tried to make small talk and she would try to elicit a promise from him to call, which he would make and then never keep, or not make and then suffer through her poutiness as he left her sitting in bed or at the kitchen table. It had happened too many times before. It was better to avoid all of it. Drama was not his style.
Flagging down a cab as the rain drops began to fall, he remembered the funeral in just a few hours. Daniel would be buried today. It was his day off and he would be there, in his uniform, to show his respects to his fallen brother. This was one of the most difficult things he had to do in his line of work.
Tim fell into his own bed after setting the alarm and tried to sleep but his dreams woke him. Her voice was soft and soothing and he could see her bright eyes sparkling brilliantly before him. Beth Collins would not let him rest.
At six o’clock he gave up and got up and went for a run. After a shower and breakfast he dressed in his blue uniform and headed to the church.
*****
Matt had personally paid off Daniel’s widow’s mortgage in Long Island. If she chose to stay in the house, she could do so without the added financial burden of the huge debt, and if she sold the house, she would have money to begin again somewhere new. Tim was grateful for his brother’s generosity and had assured Matt that the gift would remain anonymous.
As Tim took his turn paying his condolences to the widow, he felt relief that their family had been able to help just a little. Daniel’s two sons, aged three and five, stood next to their mother and grandparents obviously not really grasping the events of the day. They would grow up without a father for no good reason.
The fire investigator had an initial finding of arson. The investigation was on-going but the facts and evidence were all pointing in that direction. The fire had started in the trash chute and had spread quickly. That meant that if the culprit was ever found, a murder charge would be added. The thought would do little to soften the loss of the grieving family.
The service was long. Tim caught glimpses of the two boys sitting at the front with their mother. They were behaving incredibly well for being made to sit for such a long time. Members of Daniel’s family spoke. The FDNY Chief spoke along with Daniel’s parish priest. And then the funeral procession began. The hearse left first followed by the town cars that held the family. Then all the fire department vehicles followed behind. Tim stood on the sidewalk with several of his co-workers and saluted as the coffin passed them.
No good reason, he shook his head. Just fucked up!
*****
The next morning Tim arrived at work at six o’clock. His shift didn’t begin until seven but he hadn’t been able to sleep so he came in early and checked his email and began a couple of month-end reports.
The day went by quickly. There were several call-outs before lunch and after lunch, when it calmed down a little, all the equipment on the truck was given the once over. Just before seven that evening, Tim ran downstairs to lock up his locker and head home. As he stepped out onto the sidewalk, the sun had all but set and the streetlights were starting to flicker. Walking to the corner he was almost knocked over by the big German Shepherd jumping on him.
“Cleo!” he yelled. “Down girl!”
She immediately sat in front of him, her tail sweeping back and forth across the concrete. Her tongue hung from her mouth and she seemed to be smiling. Tim scratched her head and shook his.
“Where’s your mom?” he asked as he picked up the leash lying next to her. “Come on.”
She led him in the direction of her home, Tim keeping a look out for Beth who was probably searching for Cleo. But by the time they reached the apartment building, there was no sign of her.
As Cleo sat next to him in the elevator, Tim played with her ears. “You’re a crazy dog,” he grinned. They stopped moving and the doors opened to reveal Beth and two men standing in the hallway.
“Good grief Cleo! This is twice now!” Beth dropped to her knees as Cleo lunged at her and licked her face.
“Well she certainly has good taste in men,” Jerry smiled as he gave Tim the once over.
“Yes she does!” agreed Vince.
“Not now!” Beth was serious.
“She came to the station,” Tim shrugged as he stepped into the hallway.
“She has a new friend! We’ve been replaced,” frowned Vince.
“She just took off and we couldn’t hold on to her,” Jerry apologized. “But now I see why.” He winked at Tim.
Beth stood and took the leash from Tim. “Come on you,” she pulled on the leash and Cleo happily trotted down the hall and stopped in front of Beth’s apartment. Tim followed.
“Well, all’s well that ends well,” Vince chirped. “Sorry honey.”
“It’s fine now,” Beth sighed. “See you guys later.”
Jerry blew a kiss to Tim as he shut the door and Tim shook his head. “They’re quite the couple.”
Beth grinned. “Yes they are. Thank you so much for bringing her home.”
“Of course! I’m just glad I know where you live.”
“Come in. Please?”
Tim followed her into the apartment and shut the door. Beth unleashed Cleo and the dog ran to her water dish and lapped up a gallon of water, slopping half of it on the floor, and then went and collapsed on her bed.
“You really do have a new friend,” Beth sighed. “I’m very sorry for the inconvenience.”
“No big deal. Except that it might be next time. I would hate for her to get hit by a car or get picked up by animal control.”
Beth winced at his words.
“I’m sorry,” he frowned.
“No! No. You’re quite right of course. I’ve been lucky so far, but luck usually doesn’t last, does it?”
Tim nodded in agreement. “Well, I should get going.” But he didn’t move.
“Yes,” she replied, but there was a slight wrinkle in her forehead. “I’m sure we have disrupted your evening, haven’t we?”
“Not at all. I was just going to go home and have dinner.”
“I just made dinner. Would you care to join me?” Her eyes sparkled just like in his dreams.
Walk away! Leave now! “I’d love to,” he smiled and removed his jacket.
*****
Beth had made a green salad and some baked salmon with lemon. She cut the piece of fish down the middle and put a small piece on each of their plates.
“I didn’t mean to eat your dinner,” Tim frowned.
“Nonsense,” she said. “I like the bread anyway.” She slathered butter onto a slice of the baguette that lay in the middle of the table. “The salmon just makes me feel better about my eating choices. Not that I don’t enjoy it. I just prefer the bread,” she grinned and took a big bite.
“So, you’re English,” Tim said between mouthfuls. “What brought you here?”
“I am,” she nodded. “I went to university here and then never left. I became a legal permanent resident and call this my home now.”
“Your family is here?”
“No. They’re back in England.”
“Do you miss them?”
She had to think about it. “I miss my sister, Emma, sometimes,” she said thoughtfully. “And Esmeralda.”
Tim’s eyebrows rose.
“My horse,” she clarified.
“Do you have parents there?”
“Mm-hmm. And a brother…Rupert.”
“But you don’t miss them?”
Beth frowned.
“I’m sorry,” Tim said. “That’s none of my business.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” she replied. “I suppose that I feel like my own person here. And if they were here, or if I was there, I wouldn’t.” She looked up at Tim and he didn’t reply so she continued. “My family, if you go back far enough, was part of London high society. They would have attended balls with the Prince Regent and the daughters would have been taken to court and introduced to the Queen. You know…all the uppity stuff. And even though my father holds no titles, my mother believes in all that social class stuff. As one of the major land owners in the county, she patrons the schools and the local hospital and does it all out of responsibility.”