Choices

by Kristine Williams

  Blair ran his hands through his still-wet hair and glanced around. "I like the excitement, I like watching you work. You have this totally different way of looking at things, that I may not always understand..." Blair glanced back up at Jim, eyebrows raised. "But..well, I admire you, Jim."

  Blair had to look away when he said that, and shuffled his feet a little, looking unsure. Jim smiled, nodding slowly. "Thanks, Chief. You're not too bad yourself." He reached out and cuffed Blair on the back of the head, "Come on, how about we shoot some hoops before heading out to unload this dump."

  Blair tried to duck under Jim's hand, but wasn't quick enough. He laughed and nodded, "Sure."

  * * *

  Blair was up by three, but was beginning to tire, and Jim seemed to know it. At basketball, they were pretty evenly matched. Jim had the height, but Blair had long since learned to make up for it with a good jump shot. They had been playing for nearly an hour, and Blair had the ball, dribbling to the far end of the long driveway where the truck had been parked in order to leave them plenty of room to play.

  "You're looking tired, partner." Jim said, reaching out in an attempt to steal the ball.

  Blair pulled back, dribbling out of Jim's range. "Not me, man." He made a move, rushing to the left and ducking around Jim's outstretched arm. He ran to the front of the house, grabbing the ball with both hands and leaping into the air to avoid Jim as he came around from behind, trying to block his shot. The ball flew straight, but bounced off of the old metal rim and landed to the left, where Jim was waiting to retrieve it.

  "Like the excitement, huh?" Jim teased as he grabbed the ball. He dribbled halfway down the drive and spun around. "Like watching me work?" He moved forward. "Keep an eye on this move, partner."

  Blair didn't skip a beat, but rushed to block his next toss. That time the ball went in, and Jim exclaimed in triumph. Blair caught the ball before it bounced onto the sparse front lawn, and turned to face Jim.

  "Eight/ten," he announced.

  Jim was smiling. "Almost got you."

  Blair nodded, then moved to start back up the driveway. Jim held out a hand.

  "Hang on, Chief." Jim was turning his head, a look of concentration spreading over his face.

  "What's up, Jim?" Blair stopped dribbling the ball, and stood, facing his partner.

  "I smell something," Jim said, turning his head again. "Smells like gas."

  "What, like in the truck?"

  Jim shook his head, wrinkling his nose. "No, more like...fuel oil." Jim grabbed Blair's arm and pulled, forcing him towards the truck, away from the house. "Move!"

  Blair didn't hesitate, but followed Jim as he rushed for the far end of the driveway, pulling Blair along by the shirt collar. Just as they reached the truck, there was a thundering like none Blair had heard before, immediately followed by what felt like a huge fist, slamming into his back and propelling him into the truck.

  "Sandburg!" Blair heard Jim's voice pierce the drumming in his ears as he shook his head. "Sandburg, answer me!" He opened his eyes and saw Jim, sitting next to him on the pavement, in front of the truck.

  "I'm fine." Blair realized he was being asked a question and nodded his head. He shook his head once more and looked past Jim, at the burning mass that just moments ago had been a small house on the beach. "Oh, Jim." He realized then what the thundering had been, and the source of the shock wave that had sent both him and Jim into the truck. His head cleared quickly, and he noticed Jim still squinting and shaking his own head. "Oh God, Jim. The house. What the hell happened?"

  Jim turned, seeing the house for the first time, and shook his head. "Gas leak. I smelled it, but when I realized what it was, I could hear that old clock starting to chime inside. It was sparking as the chimes struck." He turned back to Blair. "Are you all right?"

  Blair nodded, then got to his feet as Jim stood. "Yeah, I'm fine. But Jim, the house." Neighbors were gathering now, all shouting and pointing at the burning relic. Small shards of burned lumber littered the lawn, but none of the neighboring homes seemed affected at all. In the distance could be heard approaching sirens. And closer, laughter. Blair turned and looked at Jim. He was laughing. "Jim...?"

  Jim shook his head, smiling and looking back at Blair. "Well, I guess painting was a real waste of time."

  Blair laughed shortly and looked around. "Jim, you okay man?" His partner was still laughing, shaking his head. "Jim, the house just blew up." Surely he was in shock or something. Maybe he hit his head on the truck? People were staring now, and Jim kept laughing. "Jim?"

  "Ah, this is just perfect. Ted would have loved it," Jim said, slowly letting his laughter die off. "Carolyn isn't going to believe it, though."

  Blair shook his head, slapping Jim gently on the back. "Yeah well, if I were you man, I wouldn't mention it."

  It didn't take long for the fire trucks that arrived to put out the smoldering remains of the little house. Most of which had blown out harmlessly to the beach, leaving only a small lump of glowing lumber and heap of ashes. Blair was relieved that they had packed their small belongings back into the truck prior to their game, having intended to drive into town afterward and find a realtor. After some explanations to the fire chief, and a few of the neighbors, they were on their way into the small town bordering the tourist section of the beach. After a few hours of paperwork and more explanations. Jim was able to sell the property to the agency, contingent upon the insurance settlement, and counted himself lucky in the end.

  "Well, that was a relaxing weekend. Thanks, Jim." Blair said as they drove out of town and onto the highway that would take them back to Cascade.

  "Hey, don't knock it, Sandburg. I think it was pretty productive."

  "Productive?" Blair asked, incredulously. "You nailed my shirt to the wall..."

  "My shirt, actually."

  "Fine, your shirt, but I was in it, Jim." Blair replied, pointing at his own chest to emphasize his point. "Then, you start another paint fight, use all the hot water, and blow up a house some guy left you in his will that you came out here to restore." He shook his head when Jim started to smile his cocky, sideways grin. "You call that a productive weekend?"

  "Yeah," Jim replied, glancing at him for a moment. "I settled the house, which I had been putting off for too long."

  "You blew it up, Jim."

  Jim tilted his head to the side, shrugging. "Well, it's settled, isn't it?"

  Blair rolled his eyes and nodded dramatically. "Oh yeah, it's settled, Jim."

  "I told you about what really happened in Peru, like I had meant to," Jim continued. "And, I got through that thick skull of yours. Right?" He turned to Blair again and watched him until he nodded.

  "Right."

  Jim returned his gaze to the road and shrugged. "A productive weekend," He said, smiling.

  "I tell you what," Blair turned in the seat so he could face Jim more. "Next time you want to talk, how about you just lock the door to the loft, and we'll sit down and talk. Maybe have a cup of tea, hash a few things out. Then hit a movie or something? No handcuffs, no nails. No need to blow anything up."

  Jim laughed, nodding. "Okay Chief, if you think you can handle it."

  Blair shook his head, glancing out the window. "I think I can handle it." He said, turning back to Jim. "What about the house? Will there be a problem with the explosion, and the insurance?"

  Jim shrugged, glancing at him for a second. "I dunno. Maybe. We'll find out sooner or later, I suppose." He started to grin again and Blair looked at him suspiciously.

  "What do you mean?"

  Jim laughed. "I put Carolyn's name down as the contact person."

  Blair stared at his partner as he continued to laugh. "You what?"

  "I put Carolyn's name down as the contact person. For the insurance." He glanced at Blair, then back to the road. "Hey, Ted was her uncle, not mine." He shrugged. "Besides, if anyone ever needed to lighten up, it's her."

  Blair laughed and shook his head. He could comment on that.
He could agree with Jim, having had some contact with Carolyn himself. But, he thought maybe Jim was enjoying himself enough. There was no need for Blair to add anything. Besides, he was no expert on relationships himself. The truth seemed to get him in just as much trouble with women as his embellishments often did.

  "So, you going to see Christine next weekend?" Jim asked.

  Blair shrugged. "I'm not sure, man. I seem to get in trouble no matter what I say with her."

  Jim shook his head. "You know, Sandburg, you have to find that right combination of truth and embellishment when you deal with women."

  Blair looked at him, puzzled. "Jim, I thought you said it was truth, honesty, and commitment?"

  Jim chuckled and shoot his head again, glancing at Blair. "You've got a lot to learn about women, Chief. It's a good thing we've got plenty of time."

  End