Chasing Fireflies

by Paige P. Horne

  “I’m heading home. Cash is in charge. Go check on the Kingsleys in a bit. Their neighbors called. Said they heard some yelling.”

  “We’ll head on over there. Feel better,” I say as they walk out. The chief waves his hand as Anne pushes him out the door.

  “You’re going to get in the hot shower right when we get home,” she says before the door shuts.

  “You ready to ride?” I ask Ben.

  “I reckon.”

  *

  As we make our way over to the Kingsley’s house, I see smoke rising in the sky.

  “You see that?” I ask Ben who has fallen asleep. “Ben, wake up,” I say, hitting his chest.

  “What?” he asks, jumping.

  “Look.” I point as we turn onto their road. “There’s smoke, and it looks like it’s coming from their house.”

  “What the hell have they done now?” He sits up and grabs his coffee. “My goddamn head feels like a hammer smashed it.”

  “What did you drink last night?”

  “A little bit of everything.”

  “Don’t you know mixing is the worst damn thing you can do?”

  “I do now.”

  The Kingsley’s house comes into view, and I see flames shooting up from the front yard. “What in the hell?” I ask, pulling into the driveway.

  “She’s set his damn chair on fire!” Ben says, jumping out of the truck. Elizabeth stands by, hands on her hips, as Joe, wet hair and no shirt, runs from the back with the water hose. I can’t tell what he is saying, but from the looks of it, I’m going to need to handcuff him again.

  Elizabeth looks over at us. “Well, boys, you’ve come just in time for the show. Joe here thinks he can sleep all day in this chair and not do any work around this place.”

  “You crazy ass damn woman!” Joe yells as he squirts the blazing chair with water.

  “Well, you won’t be sleeping in that chair anymore!”

  Joe turns the water hose toward her, instantly drenching her to the bone. She screams as he laughs. I look over at Ben who is laughing, too. “Ben,” I say under my breath. He stops. “Stop,” I say to Joe. “Put the water hose back on the chair and get this damn fire out. Mrs. Kingsley…”

  “Cash, I have told you…”

  “Elizabeth,” I say, correcting myself. “Get in the house.” I point toward the house. She huffs and starts walking, dripping along the way.

  “You two have to stop this mess. This is insane.”

  “I’m divorcing her ass. I’ve had enough.”

  “Not before I divorce you first!” she yells from the porch.

  “Get inside before I arrest you for arson!” I yell back at her. “Joe, what the hell happened? How did she get this chair out here without you knowing?”

  “I was in the bed asleep. She woke me with her loud ass yelling and slamming cabinets, so I finally got my ass up and took a shower. When I came out, the goddamn door was wide open, and I smelled smoke. She had already shoved the thing out here and lit the son of a bitch up. Elizabeth’s stronger than she looks. She’s been fussing at me for two days now. Saying I don’t do anything around this place. Who does she think keeps the grass cut?” he yells as he puts his thumb over the tip of the hose, making the water come out harder.

  “You two are going to drive me to drinking.” I shake my head.

  “Help yourself. There’s liquor in the house. Hell, I shouldn’t be the only one who gets to enjoy it. Gotta drink to be around her.”

  “I heard that!” she shouts from the door.

  “Good!” he fires back.

  “Get in the damn house!” I yell again. The door slams shut, and I lift my cap and rub my hair. The chair is only smoking now, and Ben looks like he could fall over.

  “She’s stubborn, isn’t she?” Joe nods.

  “You both are, and it beats the hell out of me why you stay married. Do you ever get along?”

  Joe looks in front of him, wrinkles covering his forehead, and he shrugs. “Maybe when we first started dating, but for the most part, no. I love her, though. Would take a bullet for her if it came down to it. It’s just the way we’ve always been.”

  “Well, it’s unhealthy,” Ben chimes in.

  “Who’s to say anyone’s relationship is healthy? We all got our shit to sort. It’s not giving up on each other when the shit sorting gets tough—that’s what matters.”

  I can’t help but crack a smile at Joe’s words. “You’re right, Joe. We all got our shit to sort.” I exhale and look back at the chair. “You need to come with me?” I ask.

  “Nah, we’ll be okay. This just gives me a reason to buy a new chair. I’ve been needing one for a while anyway.”

  I chuckle. “All right. You two behave.”

  “See ya later, deputy.”

  *

  It’s nightfall, and the springtime breeze blows in from the field as I step out of my truck. I take my ball cap off and turn it around backwards on my head as I walk around the back and let the tailgate down, jump up, and take a seat. I reach into my pocket and pull out a cigar that the chief gave me. Lighting a match, I suck until flames fire up at the end and smoke drifts upward. The sky is filled with stars, and it’s times like this that I’m glad to live away from the big city lights. I hear the screen door open then Bear’s paws beating against the porch. I look down as he rounds the truck. He sits and looks up at me.

  “Hey, boy.”

  He lifts up and puts his two front paws onto the tailgate. I rub his head before he falls back down. I hit my cigar as he lies at my feet.

  “It’s a good night to sit outside. Isn’t it, Bear?”

  He sighs and rests his head on his crossed front paws. The wind blows, making the branches from the big tree in the field sway. The leaves ruffle against each other, and it’s the only sound to be heard out here. It’s peaceful. It’s the country. It’s home.

  “Baby?” I hear and turn to see Sara standing on the porch in her pajamas.

  “I’m out here.”

  The screen door falls shut, and Bear’s ears move when Sara comes near.

  “What are you doing out here?” she asks me.

  “Just enjoying the quiet. Come sit with me,” I say and pat the tailgate. She steps over Bear and lifts herself up.

  “It’s pretty tonight.” She sighs, and I take a hit from my cigar as we sit in comfortable silence and listen to the wind blow.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Sara

  I laugh hard as I take off running throughout the house with Bear and Cash on my heels. I round the stairway and dart out through the screen door.

  “Sara, I’m going to get you back!” Cash yells to me as I hear the screen door open. Bear barks. My bare feet move quickly over freshly cut grass, and in one swift moment, I’m flying and no longer touching the ground. Cash has me, and Bear runs around us in a circle, jumping and barking.

  I laugh even harder as Cash wraps his arms around my waist tight and lets my feet touch the ground again. “It was just a little ice water.” I giggle as he bites my neck.

  “A little ice water?” he says. “It was a lot of damn ice water, and it froze my balls off. I have no balls now. Are you happy?”

  I turn around in his arms and smile up at his handsome face. His hair is still wet from his shower, and he smells like fresh clean sheets drying on a clothesline.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, trying with everything to be serious, but the sound of his scream comes to mind and another laugh bubbles up.

  “I don’t believe you,” he says, wide-eyed.

  “But I really am.”

  “Sara!”

  “Your scream,” I can hardly say because I’m laughing so hard. “You sounded like a wounded animal.” My eyes water, and my ribs ache.

  “That’s it,” he says, lifting me up and throwing me over his shoulder.

  “Cash!” I say, surprised, as I look at Bear upside down. Bear looks at me curiously before he barks again and follows behind us. I slap my husban
d’s ass as he hauls me up the porch steps. I hear the door open and watch as we pass by the couch before he takes me up the stairs.

  “Where are we going?” I ask.

  “Our bedroom. I need you to find my balls.”

  I burst out laughing again, and he pops me on my behind.

  “You’re so romantic, baby,” I tell him.

  “Only for you,” he says as he walks us into our room and shuts the door, leaving Bear out.

  *

  Cash

  “How’s the chief feeling?” I ask Anne as I take a seat across from her desk. She’s got her reading glasses on top of her head.

  “Still not great. The doc says he needs to stay in bed.” She rubs her eyes.

  “Anything I can do? Take him some soup or something?” I ask.

  “No, son. Thank you, though. I’m keeping him drowned in soup.” She sighs. “Once he is better, I’m sure he won’t ever eat soup again.” She laughs and puts her glasses back on. “Well, I’ve got some paperwork to get done here.”

  “And I’ve got some rounds to do. See you back here later.”

  She nods and looks over at the computer screen. I step outside, hearing the little bell above the door ring before I jump into my truck. I see Banner outside having a smoke, and I park the truck and hop out.

  “How’s it going, man?”

  “It’s going,” he replies, taking a drag from his cigarette. “How’s the chief doing? Heard he was sick.”

  “Yeah, doc has him on bed rest. Anne isn’t giving a whole lot of details, though.”

  He nods and hits his smoke again. I turn to look at the small bar that seems like it’s been here forever.

  “How’d you come to own this thing?” I ask. He blows smoke from his mouth and flicks his ashes.

  “Had some money put back, and I decided to buy this place.” He shrugs. “Dad owned a bar my whole life. Guess I just felt like following in his footsteps.” He kind of laughs, but it’s without humor.

  “What about you? Grow up wanting to be a cop?” he asks me.

  I laugh without humor, too. “Just following in Daddy’s footsteps.”

  *

  Sara

  I walk into the record store and look around. The smell alone tells me this place has been here longer than I’ve been alive. An older piano sits in the middle of the store, and music plays softly in the background. I search through boxes of old records and find a few I have to have. I take a seat on the floor and cross my legs, placing the records I want beside me.

  “Let me know if I can help you with anything.” I hear and peek around.

  “I will. Thanks,” I say to the older man who smiles and then disappears to the back of the store. I hum to the music, and my stack grows beside me as I slide across the floor and search through more boxes. I get up and walk around, looking through the shelves. I make my way over to the piano and lightly run my fingertips over the keys. My mom made me take lessons when I was a kid, so I can play a little. I sit down and let my fingers remember the old lessons. The door chimes, and I turn around to see my husband.

  “Hey, baby,” I say, smiling back at him.

  “Hey, I saw Old Blue out there, so I figured you were in here,” he greets me as I stand up from the piano. “Don’t stand up. Play me something.”

  “Okay.” I sit back down and inhale before I slowly exhale. I press the keys, and just like riding a bike, I remember the notes to “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. I sway as I play, and as I come to an end, I see Cash watching me. I drop my hands and stand up to face him. He reaches around me and presses down on a few keys.

  “Falling in love with you was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he whispers.

  “How can you say that?” I ask. His eyes dart to mine.

  “Because it’s true. You’re my crazy heart.” He searches my eyes and looks down at my lips. Grasping the back of my neck, he pulls me to him and presses his lips to mine. He kisses me hard and backs me up against the piano, causing me to hit the keys. He grabs my leg and lifts it up around his waist as I rest my hands back on the old wood.

  Pulling away, he looks down at me. “Come home with me,” he says, and I do. I leave my records on the floor and go home with my husband, because falling in love with him was the best thing that ever happened to me, too, and I love that I’m his crazy heart.

  *

  I’m lifted up as we enter our home and Cash carries me up the stairs. Clothes are taken off, and lips are kissed. Skin melts under skin, and sweet words of I’ll love you forever are spoken. Cash presses inside me, and I moan. The wind blows the curtains in the bedroom as he loves me. He grabs the headboard, and his teeth graze the skin on my neck. My hands fist the sheets, and sweet flames run up my spine as tingles of pleasure shoot down my thighs as I come.

  *

  I walk out of the grocery store with two loaded bags. The bottom falls out of one, and half of my crap rolls out onto the sidewalk.

  “Dammit,” I curse as I lean down and put the other bag on the ground. I chase an apple that’s rolling, but it gets scooped up before I can grab it. I look up at the person who snatched it and see it’s Cash’s dad.

  “Hey,” I say slowly.

  “Sara.” He nods and hands me the apple.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask.

  “Can’t come visit my son and daughter-in-law?” he questions as he leans down and helps me pick up the rest of my spilled groceries.

  “Well, yeah, you can, Jack. But you haven’t so…”

  “I’m here now. You headed home with all of this?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’d like to come along if that’s all right.”

  “That’s fine,” I say as I walk toward the truck.

  *

  Cash

  I park the cop truck and take a deep breath. I look over at his truck and grip the steering wheel. I wish I would have known he was coming. I would have drunk a few or thrown a couple shots back. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to my dad, and the last time was about as pleasant as a dog pissing in my shoe. My eyes look forward at the falling sun. Rays of light shine through the trees and make lines on the green cut grass. Dust particles fly around me, and I sigh as I remember back to the last time I spoke to my dad.

  “So, you’re moving, huh?”

  “Yeah, Dad, we found a house, and we’re buying it.”

  “You think that’s a good idea? Taking her away like that?”

  “I think it’s best for us both to get away from here,” I say, looking out at the neighborhood I grew up in. Everyone’s house is decorated with Christmas lights, and it hasn’t changed a bit since I was a kid.

  “What are you gonna do when she goes through one of her fits and you’re not there?”

  “We’ll figure it out,” I answer him. He makes a noise that pisses me off. “It’s obvious you don’t approve of anything I do, so why can’t you just keep your mouth shut? You like fighting?” I ask with a lift of my brow. Crossing my arms, I look ahead and clench my jaw. I see him look over at me in my peripheral. Ice hits the side of the glass as he takes a sip of the amber liquid he holds in his hand.

  “You just need to use your head more, boy. You went and got married, without thinking it through, to a person you have to watch twenty-four seven. Now, you’re leaving a good job and buying a house in another—”

  I cut him off, “I’ve been with Sara since high school, Dad. What the fuck do you mean, I married her without thinking?”

  “Don’t cuss at me, son.”

  “You think I should have respect for you? You cheat on the woman you claim to love.”

  “That was a long time ago, boy, and none of your business.” He gives me an icy glare.

  “Oh, so it’s none of my business, yet I’m the one who was here listening to her cry because you stayed out late ‘working.’” I watch him down the rest of his drink before he turns to me.

  “You do what you want, son. I’m done talking to you abo
ut it. Just don’t come crawling back when it all goes to shit.”

  I watch him walk away with no expression on my face.

  I shut the truck off and step out, getting ready for this shit storm that’s about to take place. Walking up the steps, I see Bear. He pushes open the screen door and greets me.

  “Hey, boy.” I lean down and pet him before I walk inside. The house smells like food, which is odd. My woman can’t cook well. I hear talking, and I make my way to the kitchen. My dad sits at the island with his back to me, and a drink on ice sits at the table. I see a bottle of his favorite drink on the countertop, and Sara stands at the stove.

  “What’s cooking?” I ask, surprising them both.

  “Hey, baby,” Sara says. Dad turns my way, and my eyes look to him and then back at Sara, whose eyes have grown wide. She makes a face.

  I walk into the room. “What are you doing here?” I ask Dad while going over to the stove and giving my wife a kiss on the cheek.

  “Wanted to come by and see how you two were holding up.”

  “Nice of you. We’re doing just fine,” I tell him, but then ask Sara, “What are you making, baby?”

  “A chicken recipe Maci told me about. It seemed easy, so I thought I’d give it a try.”

  I give her a small smile and then turn back to my dad. Seeing the bottle on the counter again, I grab a glass and put some ice in it.

  “Mind?” I ask him as I lift the bottle. He nods for me to go ahead. I fill my glass halfway and then go to walk out. “Wanna talk out on the porch?” I ask, but I don’t wait for his reply. I keep walking until I’m at the door. Bear jumps up and follows me. I set my glass down on the porch railing and pick the ball up, tossing it far so Bear will have something to do. I hear the door open behind me. “Well, you’ve come. You see everything hasn’t gone to shit, so…”

  “So, what, you going to turn me away before I even get a chance to eat?”

  “Sara’s feelings won’t be hurt. Like you care anyway, though,” I say, taking a sip of my drink.

  “Your mama misses you.”

  “You drove all this way to tell me that?”