Volunteering Your Heart

by Lo'Ren A Mayler

  Volunteering

  Your

  Heart

  By

  Lo’Ren A Mayler

  2020

  Volunteering Your Heart

  Copy Write 2020 by Lo’Ren A Mayler.

  A Millerism Studios Production. All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, Places, and Incidents are the product of the Author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real people, businesses or events is entirely coincidental.

  This book or any parts of it, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits:

  Editors: Lo’Ren A Mayler, Ann Mayler and Katie Candeloro

  Author, Production Design and Cover Design by: Lo’Ren A Mayler

  Poems by: Lo’Ren A Mayler and Ann Mayler

  Other Books By Lo’Ren A Mayler

  Trusting Again (Trusting Book #1)

  “Beautifully Hilarious! This book drew me in from the beginning. I cried and laughed. I begged Nikki and Mia to stop being stupid. Yelled "Stupid Sam" repeatedly. I was completely absorbed. Love It. Can't wait for Mayler to write another.” – RomanceNut11, Goodreads

  Acknowledgements

  I’m excited to be sharing a small piece of my life with you all. The problems in this book are very real for me. As a volunteer firefighter, I know the issues that arise. Problems created by running out on special occasions. The strain on your personal relationships. I know it takes a special kind of woman to be able to put up with it and an amazing woman to support and encourage you through it. There are hard calls. Long nights. Missed anniversaries. To find someone that will see you through it all is rare and wonderful.

  I wanted the readers to see the other side of Sam. I believe that every person you encounter, especially those that give you strife and drive you crazy, have a reason behind the madness. In Trusting Again, Sam was nothing short of obsessed with Nikki. This book allows you to see through her eyes. To understand why she is, the way she is. How her past is affecting the person she has become.

  As always, I want to thank my wonderful wife, Ann. It is not easy being married to a workaholic. I can get obsessed with my work and she is patient with me. Supporting me in all my volunteer work, overtime, writing, art and whatever I decide to dabble in tomorrow. I even got her involved in this novel. As she likes poetry, she generously donated a piece to this book.

  Katie, while I appreciate the extra set of eyes with editing, I am more grateful for your ability to listen to me rant. The opinions you give on such troubling characters. You’re always there when I need you. Mike, thank you for taking such good care of my friend.

  My family for their love and support. Mom, Dad and Ona you are always there for me no matter what life throws my way.

  To everyone that I missed that is supporting me in my endeavor to bring you, the readers, the best story I can imagine.

  Thank You to the Emergency Responders, Medical personnel, 911 Telecommunicators that are always forgotten, and additional staff that helped to keep us all afloat this year! From the Postal workers to the gas station attendants, as New Jersey is not allowed to pump our own gas. No one could have eaten without our grocery store employees and truck drivers. There are too many to mention. Our country would have descended into chaos with all of you. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

  Most of all, thank you to my readers. Without all of you, my writing would be lost in the abys of forgotten books. I’m blessed to receive such positive words and encouragement after my first release. I really do have the best following an Author could ask for.

  Glossary located in the rear for Firematic definitions.

  Part

  I

  I

  Jaklyn Wright walked into a noisy bar with her best friend, Mike Vaughn, every week at the same time. Hoops had been their hangout since they were old enough to drink. It didn’t matter to her that it was a straight bar. She found, after one drink, none of the women stayed straight long. Besides, if they weren’t feeling the clientele there, it was located near many other establishments. This was their way to unwind after a long week and if she should happen to find some gorgeous lonely woman to “dance” with, icing on the cake.

  Her friend watched her pick up a number of women over the years. Never learning from the interactions or quite understanding the difference between their approaches. He just didn’t have her way with women. Mike was forever single and a self-proclaimed ladies’ man. In reality, he didn’t have a clue. Even being a firefighter couldn’t help his game. It wasn’t like he was bad to look at. He was six foot three, two hundred pounds of muscle, with sandy brown hair and blue eyes. Really, he should be getting more offers than her. Of course, then he would have to keep his big mouth shut. Every time he opened his pie hole, he would offend anyone within ear shot.

  Mike Sr. was a volunteer firefighter. As they were neighbors and best friends, Jaky watched his father respond to calls. It was so exciting to hear his pager go off and watch him run out the door. They both dreamed of becoming firefighters when they grew up. Playing in the firehouse lounge and going to wetdowns. It was always story time. The guys loved to talk about fire scenes, old and new. Reminisce about what went wrong, how fast it spread, any safety issues, how they saved the day and so on.

  The pair became cadets with the Washington Fire Department while still in High School. Enabling them to respond to fires, even if it was only to assist from the outside. As soon as they were old enough, they enrolled in Fire Academy together. Eager to begin their journey with the fire service.

  While Mike had flames in his blood, Jaky was a natural. Everything came so easy for her. He had a raw power, no doubt about it, but she had flawless technique. She studied her behind off for the written. Practiced everything from timing donning her bunker gear and going on air, to running up the stairs while performing skip breathing. Determined to be the best.

  Now they rode the same truck and responded to the same calls. However, Jaky didn’t want to just be a volunteer. It wasn’t enough for her. She wanted to live, breathe, in the flames that danced through her heart and mind. Working at the factory was fine and it paid the bills, but she dreamed of getting hired by the Peoria Fire Department. It felt natural to attempt to convince Mike to do it with her. After all, they had done everything together since before she could remember. However, he was content being a volunteer. Who wouldn’t be? He was captain, in line to be chief. He liked his fulltime job working at the factory, liked knowing what was going to happen every day. The monotony of everyday life suited him just fine.

  Being the good friend he was, he didn’t get upset she might be leaving. Instead, he wished her luck and promised to give her a good recommendation. She reminded him, on multiple occasions, she had to get the call first. Just because Peoria was a small city, didn’t mean there would be no competition. Every young, able bodied, volunteer in a fifty-mile radius would be vying for the job, including probies and neverbeens. She lived a couple towns over in Washington. If she was hired, she would have to move into the city limits within a year. Effectively ending her ability to volunteer.

  “I got first round,” Mike said as he headed towards the bar. She assumed his offer had something to do with the woman sitting by herself. It was a little early to pick someone up, preferring to wait and scope the place out first. That didn’t stop Jak from drifting towards the bar now and then. Even if it was only to watch Mike in action, a joyful pastime. She didn’t move close enough to hear the conversation, hanging back for a good view of the show. She waited patiently, for him to stop talking, to gauge the woman’s reaction. Not that she ever had to wait long. The brunette effectively ended the conversation by slapping h
im across the face.

  Jaky chuckled as he approached.

  “Jak you don’t know. You weren’t there. It was a perfectly reasonable request.”

  She didn’t believe it for a second, “What did you do now?”

  “Nothing. She told me she was waiting for a friend.”

  Jaky was shaking her head already. She knew it wasn’t the whole story, “And?” Half-truths and tall tales, she thought.

  “I said I was more than willing to keep her company until then. Then the three of us could spend some time together...”

  “What am I going to do with you?”

  He couldn’t land one girl, what made him think two was a possibility? Jaky looked at the woman he had offended. She went right back to her drink, but there was a difference in her demeanor. An edge to her movements. They were more, sharp, direct. Nearly slamming her drink onto the bar.

  “Stay here a minute.”

  Feeling Mike’s eyes on her as she approached the young woman. The closer she got, the more confident she was. Mike had ruined this woman’s evening so completely, Jak was certain by the end of the night, with a few more drinks, she would try to exact some revenge on him. Leaning with one elbow on the counter, Jak faced the brunette.

  “Hi, I’m Jaky,” she stated as she extended a hand.

  The woman stared at her proffered hand; hesitancy clear on her face. She seemed to be deciding if she wanted to accept the greeting. The skepticism understandable after her last encounter with a stranger.

  “Beth,” she said and finally produced, what could be misconstrued as, a friendly smile.

  “Beth, I just came over to apologize for my friend.” She pointed at Mike, but the woman didn’t look in his direction. A crease formed above her brow. The luster leaving her eyes at the mere mention of her idiotic friend. Jak wasn’t positive the frown was entirely intentional, “He was dropped on his head at birth and lacks the mental capacity to comprehend what is appropriate in mixed company. He really means no harm by it. He just thought you were pretty and wanted to talk to you.”

  Jak waited a beat for Beth to laugh. To bring a glimmer of joy back to her night.

  “I’m so sorry. I had no idea,” Beth said genuinely. Her face the picture of concern and, perhaps, a little remorse. Clearly, she had not pick up on the sarcasm. Okay, if she won’t laugh, then at least I can. I wonder how far…

  “Well, you see, he’s a little upset about you slapping him. I am trying to convince him not to go home. I came over here hoping you could help me make him feel better, maybe by giving him a hug. It would go a long way to help him feel more comfortable in this atmosphere.”

  Jak waited for the scoff. For Beth to call “bullshit”. To at last realize this whole encounter had been a rouse. Well, all except her apologizing for the moron that lacked manners.

  Instead, she bought it entirely. The look she was getting from Beth told Jak she wanted to cry for Mike’s misfortunes. That she couldn’t believe she had been so insensitive. As if life had taught her to be cruel and look for the worst in people. Jak doubted this to be the truth of the matter. Beth, for all intents and purposes, seemed happy to have a handsome man’s attention, at first. Ready to be swept off her feet. She just didn’t know it wasn’t a broom, instead a vacuum that sucked the naivety from every woman in his path.

  “Of course. I’m sorry again that I slapped him. I had no idea he had a mental disability. When he said he wanted to spend time with me and my friend I thought he meant…you know… that he was trying to get with me and my friend.”

  Without another word, Beth bounced off her stool and headed straight to where Mike stood, bewildered. The view of her behind was not as entertaining as the show before her. Jaky watched as a few words passed between them. Observing, gleefully, as she gave him a big hug. Mike’s shock at the interaction was evident. He had barely recovered enough to put his arms around her or say thank you. Which, undoubtedly, assisted in convincing Beth of his mental acuity. Jaky covered her mouth to keep from laughing. Her diaphragm tight, her throat strained. She nearly caused a cough from the effort to withhold the laughter. Beth gently patted Mike’s face and headed back to her seat.

  The closer she got, the more Jak had to work at straightening her face. She should be rolling on the floor. Her body racked with wave after stomach clenching wave. Causing her side to ache and her body to double over. Instead she stood straight as a rod, holding in the riot that would betray her.

  “You are such a good friend to take care of him this way. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.” Arms swung around her before Jak could extricate herself. Jaky was positive she could turn this in her favor, yet she had no interest in explaining her humor or waiting for the brunette to catch her drift. That would surely be a long night indeed.

  “It was nice to meet you Beth. I hope you and your friend have a wonderful night.”

  It was impossible to keep a straight face, but she had done so this long. What was a few more seconds? Jak peeked over her shoulder to see Beth still looking in her direction. She hadn’t the intention of giving away the secret just yet and schooled her emotions. Mike’s jaw was still hanging open. His face had not changed in the least since Beth’s retreat. What an idiot. That’s right, just stand there looking like a moron.

  “I don’t get it. How do you get women to do whatever you want so easily? What on earth did you tell her to get her to hug me? I mean, she was two seconds from spilling her drink all over my head.”

  “I told her you were dropped on your head as a child,” she kept up her air of seriousness. Waiting to see if he took the bait, as Beth had. Unlike the brunette, Mike assumed she was joking.

  “Ha ha. No really.”

  Jaky stared at him, a solemn expression her only response. Wondering how long she would have to wait before he realized the truth.

  “Jak you didn’t. Are you kidding me? You made her think I’m special?”

  A peek over her shoulder confirmed that Beth had finally went back to her drink, “Trust me, it isn’t that far from the truth.”

  Mike punched her arm, “Now I have no chance.”

  She looked at him as if he had finally lost what little he had left of his mind.

  “How on earth did her slapping you, mean you had a chance?”

  “You doubt me, but it would have worked. I was gonna hang back and let her cool off. By the end of the night, she would have thought it was her idea.”

  Laughter burst forth before she could contain it. It was one thing to have confidence, clearly Mike had crossed over into clinically insane.

  “That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. By the end of the night, you would have had two flat tires and a black eye.”

  She knew his mother had given him more than two cents to rub together. He must have lost it along the way. Somewhere between the firehouse and never never land.

  II

  The tumbler locked into place as she turned the key to the condominium. Not that she ever had a problem with security. It was more of a habit. After all, she was in a controlled access building, as the realtor liked to call it. Really it was just a fancy way of saying she had a keycard to enter. She had no close neighbors, one of the many benefits of living in a high rise. Who was she to worry about breaking in?

  As the doors slid open, Samantha Porter walked into the elevator. There was always the opportunity to take the stairs and add a small workout to her night. An option she almost never considered, not from her floor and never in heels.

  While the building was not close to work or even in the same town, it was convenient for a single woman. The amenities had been worth every penny. She knew the mortgage would take years to pay down, but it was just too good to turn a blind eye.

  It was more than just the security net of a locked building. She had access to an onsite gym, cleaners, and was close to night life. Her condo overlooking Peoria’s historical buildings and Waterfront Park. With spectacular views of the Illinois River, as the pamph
let boasted. Most importantly, she didn’t have to redecorate.

  She took in the figure, reflected back in the steel door. As always, her mother’s voice resonated in her mind, as clear as if she were standing there in the elevator. Berating her, tearing her down piece by piece. Making her feel as if there was no part of her that was even worth salvaging. “Just look pretty and you will never be alone.” Yeah right. Might as well scrap the vehicle and start new. She fixed a couple errant hairs, checked her rose-colored halter top. Hands adjusted the large boobs that never seemed to fit in anything. Eyes traveled over the fit of her jeans for the umpteenth time. The heels she kept short enough to not tower over a partner, were just high enough to give her ass a lift. She pulled out a mirror to better scrutinize. She was not twenty-one anymore. Her makeup took more time, her hair was more defiant, and the crow’s feet were getting more difficult to cover up. Sam had gotten in a good habit over the years of not looking herself directly in the eyes. Just the features surrounding them. All presentable, she thought as she snapped the case closed.

  How did I get talked into this anyway? She liked to go out, but hanging out with a coworker was a big no no. The Cheerleading Coach wanted to go out for drinks, par-tay. Sam feared Wendy had heard of her background in both the sport and coaching. She seemed nice enough, but after Nikki…Sam had stayed far away from coaching and coworkers…and softball. It will be fine. Have a couple drinks, laugh when expected to and go home. She heard the ding before the doors slid opened.

  She was meeting Wendy at a bar down the street, Hoops. Sam had seen it multiple times in passing. A sports themed bar was not her idea of a good time. A shiver ran up her spine at the picture she conjured. One filled with balding men, beer-bellies and the constant chant of sports statistics. Their sweaty hands touching her as they tried their hand for her affections. Eww…gross, she thought with a shudder. Sam pushed the thought from her mind before she got sick.