Firelighter

by Jackie Wang

  “Sleepover at his grandparents.”

  “You didn’t bring him tonight?”

  “It’s a parent-teacher conference. Not a parent-teacher-student conference.”

  “I wanted him to show you his artwork. He’s really talented,” I mumbled. “He drew this really cool giraffe.”

  “Do you still want to talk about my son’s school performance or do you want to ditch this joint?” Dom asked.

  “To be honest, it’s been a really long day,” I admitted.

  “Let me give you a ride home then, no ands, ifs or buts.”

  I was too exhausted and paranoid to wait outside for the bus anyway, so I took up Dom’s offer. Once we slipped into Dom’s Toyota Highlander, and the interior dome light automatically switched on, I noticed that his cheek had developed a huge bruise. His skin had split open at the cheekbone. There were a few scratches on his neck too, as if he’d been attacked by an animal. I groaned. People would ask questions about that.

  “We should get that cleaned up,” I pointed out. “And probably medicate you too, before the adrenaline wears off and pain kicks in.”

  “I’m fine,” Dom said, waving his arm. “What’s your address?”

  I told him where I lived. Then, I added, “I have a first aid kit at home. At least let me clean you up.”

  “Okay, if you insist,” Dom conceded. “I did duel in your honor tonight.”

  I frowned slightly, until Dom flashed me a snarky grin. “Lighten up, Buttercup. Grouchiness doesn’t suit you.”

  “I feel terrible for involving you in all of this.”

  “You didn’t involve me, I involved myself,” Dom said. “And for you, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

  Chapter 5

  Dominic

  “And for you, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.” Why the hell did I tell her that? As if things weren’t already bad enough, now I was going around making promises to my son’s teacher.

  We pulled up to a dingy-looking set of apartments. The beige stucco was filthy, as if someone hadn’t cleaned it since the building first went up half a century ago. The lawn hadn’t been mown in a while, and was choked by dandelions. I parked around the corner, and followed Winnie up to her apartment.

  I’d expected better living conditions from someone on a teacher’s salary, but obviously I didn’t know the full picture. Maybe she was saving up to buy her own house, or a car. Maybe she still had a lot of student loans to pay off.

  Winnie lived on the fifth floor. I noticed her neighbor had a scratchy welcome mat that said, “Enter at your own peril.” Tasteful.

  After Winnie unlocked the door, I bent down to untie my shoelaces.

  “Keep them on. It’ll only be a minute.” She disappeared into the bathroom.

  I took the chance to survey her home. Despite the terrible state of the warped laminate floors and peeling walls, she managed to keep the place looking cozy and spotless. She didn’t have much furniture: just an armchair, a dining table, and probably a bed. A few framed photos of her and her parents. Some kitschy art. A floor lamp with beads running down the shade. A worn, oval-shaped rug accented her living room, which was roomy because she didn’t crowd it with sofas or an entertainment center. Did she even watch TV or own a computer?

  Winnie emerged with a plastic Ziplock bag full of various medical instruments and supplies. “Have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the armchair. She turned on the lamp so she could get a better look at me. It felt disconcerting to have someone study my face up close. But better her than anyone else. Because while she was studying me, I was doing the same thing to her. My gaze roved over her pursed lips, up to her softly flaring nostrils, and fixed on her almost unblinking eyes. Her pupils moved back and forth, almost quivering. She was thinking about my injuries. She shouldn’t have cared so much. I got cuts and scrapes all the time on the job. My pain tolerance was so high, most of the time I didn’t even feel anything. The cuts I had wouldn’t need any stitches, and I could’ve cleaned them out myself.

  Still.

  It was nice having someone who cared about me. It’d been a while since a woman touched me like this. Gingerly, as if I wasn’t two-hundred pounds of pure muscle. I also agreed to let her clean my wounds because I had an ulterior motive: I wanted to drive her home and make sure she got back safely. I didn’t trust Grayson one bit, and wouldn’t have been surprised if he hid in the bushes and waited to ambush her at the bus stop. Nothing was beyond that creep. I didn’t hate many people, but Grayson, I didn’t even consider him human. He was a sick monster.

  Winnie squirted some saline solution into a clean cloth and dabbed at my cheek. It stung just a little bit, like getting prickled by a rose thorn.

  “Does it hurt?” Winnie whispered.

  “No,” I whispered back. “Why are we whispering?”

  Winnie smiled and walked to the kitchen to rinse out the cloth. She stopped whispering and asked in an extra-loud voice, “Want something to drink? A beer?”

  “Water will be great. I’m driving.”

  “Oh. Right. Duh.” She filled up a glass with filtered water and handed it to me. Then she fished out some antiseptic and gauze. “Guess we’re even stevens now,” she mumbled, dressing my wound.

  “I didn’t do it because—”

  “I know,” Winnie cut me off. “My baby brother was a firefighter. Born to save lives. Always wanted to play hero. Thought he was Superman or something. Always defending everyone’s honor and whatnot.” Her voice cracked a little. She finished taping up the gauze and put the supplies back in the Ziplock bag.

  “Was?”

  “He got into an accident a year and a half ago. Bad warehouse fire. He almost died saving one of his friends. Got second degree burns over his entire upper body. Lost his right arm and leg too and couldn’t work at the station anymore.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I mumbled, knowing full well that the words meant next to nothing. It was always tragic when something like that happened to a fellow firefighter, even worse so because it was Winnie’s family. I couldn’t imagine what her parents and brother must’ve gone through. And her…

  “Please, don’t ever be stupid like my brother. He was only twenty-four when he lost everything. Now he has major depression and moved back home with my parents after the accident. He’s not the same anymore.”

  “Danger comes with the job,” I said. “No telling what might happen tomorrow. But someone’s gotta do it.”

  “There’s a right and a wrong way to do it, you know?” Winnie said, lips trembling. “He was too cocky. Overestimated his abilities.”

  “I don’t know what happened to him, but I do know we have certain rules we need to obey. I never break them. It’s for my safety, as well as others’.”

  “I’ve been sending my parents every dime I can spare. To help them out with Zane’s care. But it’s not enough. He’s all the way back at Maine, and I’m here. I can’t go just visit him on the weekends and look after him. The east coast can be so unforgiving this time of year. They had a hurricane this summer, and my parent’s roof collapsed. They’re close to retirement, and don’t have much in savings…it’s just—I shouldn’t have left them to come here.”

  “Hey, you’re not selfish, and you made the right decision,” I said, pulling her closer. “You’re already doing everything you can, and more, and you should be proud of yourself.”

  “I was selfish to move here. To chase my dreams. I knew they needed me back home but I left anyway.”

  “Who’s the person trying to play hero now? No need to martyr yourself, Winnie. I’m sure your parents are very proud of you too, and they’re happy that you’re doing what you want with your life.” After a pause I added, “And I’m glad you came here too. You’re already making an impact in this community. You saved my son on the first day of school, for starters.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I suddenly offloaded all this info on you.” Winnie shook her head and scrubbed her face. �
�It’s getting late. You should probably go.” She looked like she was on the verge of tears.

  “If you need anything, you let me know,” I offered. “And if Grayson gives you trouble again…”

  Winnie nodded. “I know.”

  I took out a wrinkled business card from my wallet and handed it to her. “It’s got my work and cellphone numbers on it. Call me. Anytime. I mean it, Winnie.”

  “Thanks Dom,” Winnie said, taking the card and squeezing it. “You’re the nicest person I’ve met in Dallas so far. It’s hard to make friends in this city.”

  “Why don’t you come to my friend’s BBQ this Saturday?” I suddenly suggested. “His son just graduated high school and his older daughter just gave birth to twins. We’re celebrating.”

  “Oh…I don’t know about that,” Winnie said, scratching her head.

  “You have other plans?”

  “No.”

  “Then you’re coming as my plus one.”

  “People will talk…”

  “They’re all my buddies. Firefighters. They’ll be nice.”

  “So…you mean, as a date?” Winnie squeaked, resisting the idea.

  “As friends, if it makes you feel more comfortable.”

  “I—Okay, sure. I’ll come,” Winnie finally agreed. “Should I bring some food or—”

  “I’ve got that covered,” I said. “I’m bring my famous guacamole. You just have to bring your wit and sense of humor.”

  Chapter 6

  Winnie

  Going to a party filled with strangers was intimidating. No, nerve-wracking. Going as Dominic Fieri’s plus one, even more so.

  I must’ve picked, re-picked, changed and changed my outfit again over fifteen times. I hadn’t been this choosy since prom.

  It was a clear day, and surprisingly warm for the end of November. But the red and golden leaves promised that winter was just around the corner. It also meant winter break was around the corner. I’d already booked my flight back home, and I was leaving the day after school let out and staying until January. It would be the first time I flew back since I moved to Dallas in July, and I was so homesick I felt physically nauseous. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Zane’s face when I surprised him with a visit.

  Dom picked me up around noon in his Highlander and we rode in near silence to his friend’s place.

  “Where’s Nate?” I suddenly realized the car seemed empty without his voice in the backseat.

  “With my parents,” Dom said vaguely. He resumed his focus on the road, and I looked out the side window, watching suburbia pass us by.

  I’d put on some mascara and a swipe of lip gloss and blush, but nothing fancy. I wore my chunky gray and white knit sweater with a pair of wool leggings. Wool was definitely my friend this year. I looked conservative to the max and I wondered if Dom’s friends would think I was a prude.

  “Hey, buddy,” someone greeted Dom as soon as he pulled up. Before he could even kill the engine, two other firefighters (I assumed) had come over to say hello. Mr. Popularity.

  “Hey, Jax. Dane,” Dom greeted. “Long time no see. How’s married life?”

  “Couldn’t be better. Care to make some introductions?” Jax asked, nodding to me. He flashed me a rugged smile, and I recoiled, intimidated.

  “This is Winnie,” Dom said, not bothering to qualify the statement with how we knew each other. “Win, this is my buddy Jax, and this is Dane.”

  I unbuckled my seat belt. “Hey, nice to meet you,” I warbled out, sounding like an injured songbird.

  I shook Jax’s hand. His grip was firm, but his smile warm and genuine. “Welcome,” Jax said. “Don’t let any of these guys scare ya. They’re all just a bunch of goofs.”

  I smiled hesitantly. I shook Dane’s hand next. “Nice to meet you.”

  “So, the great Dom Fieri is finally getting back on the market,” Dane said. “About time, man.”

  Dom cleared his throat. “Thanks.”

  He didn’t correct Dane.

  We stepped out of the car and I felt intimidated, to say the least, when more firefighters came to join us. It felt like an ambush. I’d never seen so many hot men in one place before. Suddenly, I felt out of my depth and sweaty. Had I put on deodorant before I left the house?

  The small crowd of us walked inside the house, where I met Franco Manvetti, the party host. He was a white-haired ex-SEAL who stood ramrod straight, a military man with ropy muscles and a stern face. “Nice to see you again, Dom,” Franco greeted.

  Dom made some more introductions before whisking me off to grab some drinks.

  “I’m going to need some booze to take the edge off,” I grumbled, scanning the table for something alcoholic.

  “Jokes on you, there isn’t any. The Manvetti family don’t drink, and there are kids here.”

  “There are?” I groaned. What if one of them recognized me from school?

  “Yep. They’re in the backyard playing on the trampoline.”

  “Is Nate here?” I asked.

  Dom nodded again. “Yep. Came with my parents.”

  I nearly choked. “Your parents? Why didn’t you tell me they’d be here?”

  “Does it matter?” Dom shrugged.

  “Um, yes! I don’t want to meet them.” So much for coming to the party as his friend. No one would think that.

  “We’re just friends. It’s no biggie,” Dom said. He squeezed the knot in my shoulder. “Relax, Win.”

  No-no-no-no-no—there would be no relaxing when Dominic Fieri’s parents were fifty feet away. How could he ambush me like this? Before I could think of a plan to get away, Dominic grabbed me by the elbow and swiveled me around.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Winnie,” Dom introduced.

  I groaned audibly and dug my nails into my palms. Standing right in front of me was an elderly couple. The older man was the spitting image of Dom. Literally, the only difference was, Dom’s dad had more wrinkles and salt and pepper hair. The woman wore a boatneck sweater and jeans, paired with ankle boots.

  “Nice to meet you, Winnie,” she said. “I’m Angela. This is my husband, Dave.”

  I stuck out a shaky (and probably clammy) hand. “I’m Winnie.” My spine had turned to mush, and I felt like a muddy sandcastle about to collapse.

  Just then, Nate burst inside like a sweaty torpedo, all grins. “Winnie! I didn’t know you were coming!” He circled his tiny arms around my waist and I blushed all the way to the tips of my ears.

  “You’ve met Nate?” Angela asked, arching her right brow.

  “She’s my teacher,” Nate chimed, before I could phrase things differently. Oh God, let me explain, I wanted to scream. I came here as Dom’s friend!

  “Oh?” Dom’s dad, Dave, assessed me with a bemused smile, then glanced at his son. Dom was not perturbed the least that Nate had unveiled my identity to his parents.

  Instead, Dom snaked his arm around me and squeezed my shoulder. “She saved Nate’s life on the first day of school,” he informed his parents proudly. “She’s a hero.”

  “Oh?” Dave repeated, this time with a different inflection. “What happened?”

  Dom proceeded to recount the story, with extra dramatic flair. He made me out to be some sort of fearless Good Samaritan, when all I did was foolishly run back inside a burning building to grab a kid’s inhaler.

  At the end of the story, Angela and Dave looked at me with new appreciation. They didn’t even care that I was Nate’s teacher, just that I’d saved their grandson’s life.

  “You need to come over for dinner next week, so we can properly thank you,” Angela insisted. “I mean, honestly, Dom, did you think treating her to dinner at a fast food restaurant would be good enough?” She tsked him, and he shrugged.

  “It’s fine, really. It happened a while ago and—”

  “We insist,” Dave added. “Angie will make her famous peach cobbler, won’t you, honey?”

  “Sure will. And other goodies, too.”

  I looked at Dom,
who looked at Nate, who looked back at me. How could I say no…? “Looks like I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” I laughed.

  “When my mother has her mind set on something, things tend to go her way,” Dom confirmed.

  After the Fieris left to mingle with their friends at the party, and Nate rejoined the other kids on the trampoline, Dom pulled me aside to check up on me. “Do you hate me? For springing my parents on you?”

  Yes. A million—billion times yes.

  “Kinda,” I admitted. “I mean…they invited me over for dinner!” I squeaked. I’d dated my ex for a year and a half and I’d never met his parents before. This was a big deal, no matter how much Dom downplayed it.

  “Free meal.” Dom shrugged, as if it was no big deal.

  I groaned again. “They think we’re dating.”

  “No, I explained—”

  “I don’t know about this, Dom. Is it too late to back out? Can I say I—”

  “They’re just my folks. They’re not going to eat you alive,” Dom reassured. “They like you.” I didn’t feel any better. I didn’t want them to like me, did I? Why did I even care?

  “They don’t even know me,” I said. “You don’t even know me.”

  “But what I do know about you, I like. And when I find out more, I’m sure I’ll like you more, too,” Dom said confidently.

  “I’m your son’s teacher,” I emphasized. “This—we—I’m already overstepping boundaries just coming to this party.”

  “You won’t be his teacher forever,” Dom said. “Winter break’s coming up. Then before you know it, it’ll be spring break. Summer will roll by in a blink of an eye and you won’t be Nate’s teacher anymore.”

  “Summer break is still eight months out.”

  “That doesn’t sound so far away.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, Winnie Williams,” Dom said, coming closer, “I want to take you on a proper date. No kids, no parents, no colleagues and friends around. Just us.”

  “Dom—I thought we’d wait till—”