Hell, Fire & Freedom (Fighting for Freedom)

by Callahan, Shannon

  “Remind me to send her flowers,” he says, kissing my forehead.

  “I’m going to go home, get changed, and I’ve got meetings until probably three, and then a police versus firemen charity football game at five. You and Marie should come if you’re not busy,” he says, slipping on his shoes.

  “I’ll ask her after we have our talk. We’ll see how she feels.” I really hope she wants to go. I don’t know much about football, but a sweaty, dirty Blaze? Now that I do like.

  “It’s at Hubley field, if you decide to go,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me in for a kiss so intense I forget to breathe.

  “Have a great day, beautiful,” he says, before turning to leave.

  I grab my cell phone and dial Marie’s number.

  “Hey Brynn,” she says, and I can hear noise in the background.

  “Hey Marie, where are you?”

  “Jill’s just driving me home now. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “See you then. Love you, Marie.”

  “You too, sis,” she says, and I hear a click as the line goes dead.

  Well, I’m really glad Blaze left. I can’t imagine what she would have thought coming home and finding him here. I make up some more breakfast for Marie, and she comes in a few minutes later, glowing.

  “Well, I’m guessing it went well?” I ask.

  “Brynn, you have no idea. It’s everything I ever imagined and more. We stayed up late watching scary movies, eating junk food, and just talking. I felt so … included. I wasn’t a charity case. I was just me,” she says with an honesty only Marie can manage to pull off.

  “You were never a charity case, Marie, but I’m really glad you had a great time,” I say, handing her breakfast plate to her.

  “Thanks, Brynn. I love it here.”

  “Me too,” I say. I decide it’s now or never to tell her about Ma. If we want to see her alive, we’ve got to go soon. “I really don’t want to be the bearer of bad news or dampen your mood, but we do need to talk, too,” I say, taking the stool beside her.

  “What’s up?” she asks nervously.

  “I called Ma’s doctor, and he doesn’t think she’s going to make it much longer. He wants us to come say goodbye, Marie. I’m so sorry.” I watch as her eyes fill with tears for a woman who has done nothing to deserve them.

  “But I thought she was still on the transplant list. I mean, there’s still a chance, right?”

  “She’s just not willing to change Marie, she’s been like this since as long as we can remember and probably years before then too. It’s all she knows. It’s hard to give an organ to someone who’s just going to abuse it again when there are so many others on the waiting list, kids even,” I say, trying to soften the blow. Tears are now streaming down our faces, and I hate my mother for causing her this pain. I hate her for putting me in this position. My tears are not for her, they’re for Marie.

  I pull her into a hug.

  “Can we go back and see her? I know Carl still isn’t in prison …” she trails off. I look into her eyes that are full of hope and desperation to say goodbye to her mother. I can’t deny her that, not when she is the victim in this situation.

  “If you want Marie, I’ll make it happen. We won’t be able to stay long, though. Just a few hours. We’ll be all right, though; I’ll make sure we’re safe,” I say, hoping that’s the truth.

  “I know what a tough spot I’m putting you in, and I know how you feel about Ma, but I just don’t think I’d ever forgive myself if I didn’t go,” she says, eyes cast to the floor.

  “I know, and I’d probably feel the same way. Regardless of how terrible of a mother she is, she still managed to give me the best sister in the world,” I say. Marie lifts her eyes from the floor, and I pull her into another hug.

  “Ditto,” she manages to choke out.

  “All right, I’ll book the tickets for tomorrow. I need to call into work and leave a message at the school for you. Just tell Jill you’re not feeling well. Until Carl is behind bars, I don’t want to chance anything.” She nods her head and then finishes her breakfast.

  “Oh, I almost forgot. Blaze invited us to a police versus firemen football game tonight if you wanted to go. I figured it would be a safe place to be, but I understand if you’re not up for it.”

  “Sounds good to me, nothing we can do until tomorrow anyway,” she says, wiping her tears away and putting on a fake smile.

  I spend the afternoon doing just as I told her I would. I book our tickets, leaving at five tomorrow morning. I’m not exactly looking forward to it, but I know it’s what we both need from our ma—closure. I call Tara and let her know. She says the detective will escort us over to the hospital when we get there, and then back to the airport when we’re ready to leave. We spend the rest of the afternoon packing our day bags for tomorrow and then get ready for the football game.

  ~

  Marie and I purchase our tickets and walk down onto the field where there has to be at least three hundred people gathered around already. We head over to the side the firemen are gathered on, and I spot Blaze chatting with a few of his teammates. He’s in a red sleeveless t-shirt, and silky black shorts, like the rest of his teammates, but he’s the only one who catches my eye. I don’t want to bother him, so we take a seat in the bottom row of the stands. I watch as he turns and notices us sitting down, a grin forming on his face. He jogs over to where we’re sitting.

  “Brynn, Marie, really glad you guys could come watch us take down the entire police force,” he says playfully.

  I hear a whistle blow, and look to see the referee standing in centerfield. “Well, I guess that’s me. Now how about a kiss for good luck?” he asks unabashedly.

  My eyes grow wide. I can’t kiss him here, in front of everyone, especially not the people he works with! I sit there awkwardly, but Blaze doesn’t do awkward. He bends down and crushes his mouth to mine, gathering me around the waist, pulling me up, and spinning us in a circle. I hear hoots and hollers from the crowd and wish I could just disappear. He sets me back down, looking proud of himself.

  “Thanks, beautiful, we’re sure to win now,” he says, running onto the field.

  I look up into the bleachers and catch a few evil glares from women I’m guessing were hoping to snag him up today. I give a coy smile and sit back down beside Marie.

  “I’m sorry, Marie. He’s kind of … affectionate,” I say, trying to keep it as PG as possible after making out in front of my sister.

  “Yeah, yeah, just don’t get mad when you catch me making out,” she says jokingly.

  “You wouldn’t dare,” I challenge.

  We hear the whistle blow again, and the game begins. It has to be said that I know nothing at all about football. I know there’s a funny shaped brown ball involved and a whole lot of men jump into piles. Other than that, I’m pretty clueless.

  I watch the game, trying to get a sense of the rules. I think it’s a little like hockey. You’ve got to score in the other person’s zone … maybe … I’m not entirely sure, but it sure is fun to watch. I cheer when the others cheer, or whenever Blaze gets the football, which to my delight, is quite often.

  Marie knows about as much about football as I do, so neither of us have a clue what the score is. I think the firemen might be winning, though, when Blaze gets tackled by a heavy set cop with thick blonde hair. I grab Marie’s hand, even though it’s not very likely he’s hurt.

  Blaze and the cop start wrestling, and before long, Blaze gains the upper hand, punching the cop in the chest. I can’t hear what they’re yelling at each other, but this has to be the most interesting part of the game. I wonder if this happens every half time. Is that what this is called?

  One of the other firemen pulls him off the cop, and it’s then I get a good look at Blaze’s face. He’s absolutely furious. He must have lost a point or something. He heads over and sits on the sidelines for the rest of the game, never glancing my way. I must be missing somethin
g here.

  The game ends about forty minutes later, when the firemen take it home—or so the incredibly loud lady behind me yells out. The crowd starts to disperse, and we make our way over to where Blaze is sitting.

  “Everything all right? You did so well,” I say, attempting to cheer him up.

  “Are you kidding? I got in a fight with a grease ball cop and wasn’t allowed to play the rest of the game. There’s just something off with that guy,” he says, looking around for who I’m guessing is the cop.

  “I didn’t know you were fighting; everyone else was running into each other, knocking each other over. What constitutes as a fight? Is punching not allowed?” He looks at me incredulously, and then starts to laugh.

  “Thanks, Brynn, you just made my day,” he says, pulling me into a hug. He’s sweaty, and sticky, and I pull back quickly.

  “Seriously, yuck!” I say, laughing and wiping the sweat off my arms.

  “Sorry, beautiful, I guess you need a shower now, don’t you?” he whispers into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

  “Anyway …” I say, attempting to act as unaffected by his words as possible. “Marie and I were going to go grab a bite to eat if you wanted to join us.”

  “Nah, I’m heading out to pizza with the guys, you know, celebration dinner,” he says, pumping his fist into the air.

  “Ahh, testosterone fest.” Lovely. “Well, I just wanted to let you know, Marie and I are going back to Oregon to say goodbye to our ma tomorrow morning. We’re only staying a few hours, and we have police escorts, so I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

  “What time do you fly out?” he asks, looking worried. I wish he wouldn’t in front of Marie, though.

  “Five in the morning, and it’s a six hour flight. We stay for three hours and fly back, so we should be back around eight tomorrow night,” I say, looking to Marie to make sure she’s all right.

  “If you’re feeling up to it, why don’t you guys come over after? I could pick you up from the airport and cook you a real meal, because I’m sure the airline food isn’t going to be edible,” he generously offers. I look over at Marie, who seems excited by the idea, but after seeing ma tomorrow, I’m just not sure she’ll feel the same way.

  “How about I call you when we land and let you know?” I offer.

  “Sounds good to me. Have a safe trip, and text me tonight.”

  “Will do. Now go have fun.”

  He leans in and gives me a kiss that’s a little too indecent for Marie to watch, but my head is spinning, and I’m not thinking clearly. Sorry Marie! We part ways, and Marie and I start walking toward the little Mediterranean restaurant she wants to try.

  “I really like you guys together. He makes you happy, Brynn.”

  “He seems like a good man. I guess I’ve just never seen what a man or a husband should be like, you know? Ma never talked about our fathers, and we never had a male role model growing up, and then there was Carl. They’re night and day, total opposites. Carl didn’t seem so bad in the beginning, though, either,” I say, staring at the cracks in the sidewalk as we walk past them.

  “I think you just need more time. There’s not much else you can do,” she says, grabbing a hold of my hand.

  “You’re probably right.”

  We head into the restaurant, which turns out to have decent food and a great atmosphere. We take a taxi home, because walking after dark just doesn’t seem like the safest thing to do.

  I take a shower before slipping into my nightie and crawling into bed. I hear the ping of a text message. I grab my cell phone and see Blaze’s name across the screen. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

  Blaze – Wish I could come with you tomorrow.

  Brynn – I wish you could, too.

  Blaze – I’m training a new guy at the fire hall tomorrow or I would. Don’t worry, Brynn, you’ll be safe.

  I hope he’s right. The closer we get to boarding time, the more nervous I start to become.

  Brynn – I’m sure we will be, too.

  Blaze – I’m sending a car to take you to the airport in the morning. It will be there at 3:30. He’ll meet you right outside your building. His name is Antoine Rossi and he’ll show you his ID. I’d get you myself, but I’m going in for a backshift at the station now.

  I read the message over again, wondering who the hell sends a car.

  Brynn – You don’t need to do that Blaze, really.

  Blaze – Don’t worry about it, it’s a company car. I’ll see you when you get back tomorrow. Get some sleep, beautiful, sweet dreams.

  Brynn – You too, Blaze.

  I smile and roll over in bed, tucking my knees to my chest. I can’t believe how much everything has changed. I’m really starting to love my life here in New York, and I may just be falling for Blaze Prescott.

  Chapter 13

  “Marie, do you have your new ID?” I call out, looking down at my watch—three thirty-four—crap, we’re late.

  “I got it,” she yells back, rushing into the living room with her carry-on bag.

  “Let’s go then,” I say quickly, opening the front door. We make our way downstairs and walk outside where I see a shiny black limo waiting at the curb. A tall Italian-looking man in a dark suit, sunglasses, and earpiece is standing in front, looking slightly menacing.

  “Antoine Rossi,” he says, handing me his government ID. I glance at the card awkwardly—same name, same photo.

  “Ah, thanks,” I mutter, handing it back to him.

  He takes both of our bags and loads them into the limo, holding the door open for us to enter as well. We climb in the back.

  “Oh my God,” Marie breathes, looking around at the plush black leather material of the seats.

  “I’ve never been in a limo. I feel like a movie star,” I laugh. I’m sure a limo ride is pretty mundane in most people’s lives, but to Marie and me, it’s probably one of the coolest things to ever happen to us. I have to admit, though, it’s not quite as romantic as the horse drawn carriage. Thinking about Blaze gives me butterflies in the pit of my stomach. I vaguely hear the driver mumble something into his earpiece as he puts up the partition and pulls away from the curb.

  Marie and I watch out the windows excitedly, like a couple of kids. We pull up in front of the airport, still in a great mood, not long after. Antoine comes around, opens the door for us, and carries our bags inside to the check-in counter. I start to remember my manners, and that I should probably tip him. I have no idea what’s appropriate, but I grab a five dollar bill because it’s the only cash I brought with me.

  “Thank you, Antoine, I really appreciate you taking us here,” I say, attempting to hand him the bill. He looks at it, a little perplexed, and takes a step back, not accepting what was probably too measly of an offer. Great, I’ve offended him.

  “Anything for Mr. Prescott. Have a safe flight ladies,” he says, turning to walk away. I watch him as he stops, not twenty feet from us, and speaks into his earpiece. I think I need to ask Blaze what kind of company his father ran.

  Marie and I check in and make our way to the gate to wait for our flight.

  “What are you thinking?” I ask Marie, who’s been quiet since we arrived.

  “Just trying to think of what I’m going to say to Ma. Is she even going to know I’m there?”

  “Well, they said she’s been kept sedated, but maybe we can ask them to let her wake up a little so we can say our goodbyes,” I offer, not even sure if it’s possible. “But I’m sure no matter what, she’ll know you’re there.”

  “Maybe …” she says, trailing off.

  I grab her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Marie, you’ll know exactly what to say when the time comes. I’m really sorry you’re having to do this, though.”

  “Are you going to, you know, say goodbye?” she asks quietly.

  “I think so—she gave me you, and that’s everything to me. She did at least one thing right in my books,” I say with a forced smile.
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  “Make that two,” she says, looking up at me.

  We hear our boarding call over the announcements and head into the line-up with our new IDs.

  “Welcome, Brynn and Marie. You’re in row two, seats A and B. Please enjoy the flight,” he says, scanning our tickets.

  I take our IDs back, and we walk down the runway and onto the plane. I look around and notice that row two is first class seating. I turn back to the perky blonde flight attendant, embarrassed.

  “I think there’s been a mistake. We paid for regular seating,” I say, feeling incredibly stupid that I don’t know the proper word for it.

  She nods, pulling out her clipboard, and I notice that we’re holding up the line.

  “It looks like your tickets were upgraded late last night,” she says with a look of confusion.

  “Oh. Thank you,” I reply, perplexed.

  I scan the plane before taking my seat. No sign of Carl, no sign of anyone we know. He can’t be here. You’re just paranoid, Brynn. There has to be some sort of mix-up.

  “Did you upgrade our seats?” Marie asks suspiciously, as we load our bags into the overhead baggage compartments.

  I rack my brain for an answer that’s not going to freak her out, when I hear my phone ping.

  Blaze – Hope you enjoy the extra sleeping room … I know you didn’t get much last night … Take care today, wish I could be there with you.

  I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I look up to a very confused Marie.

  “It was Blaze,” I say and watch her return the smile.

  “Not bad,” she says, sitting back and stretching her legs out. I look down at my phone and text him back.

  Brynn – You didn’t have to do that, but thank you. That was so thoughtful.

  Blaze – Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you tonight, beautiful.

  Brynn – See you then.

  Blaze is an incredibly sweet guy, but I can’t help but feel like he’s trying to control the situation, and that makes me a little uneasy. Yes, it’s completely different than Carl because he’s doing it for all of the right reasons, but Carl also started out by making sure I was fed and taken care of, and look how that turned out. I know it’s not fair to Blaze to compare him to such a monster, but I’m not sure if my mindset will ever change. Aside from Marie, everyone in my life has let me down. Who’s to say Blaze won’t either? I turn off my phone and settle back into the comfy chair.