Mississippi Nights

by D. M. Webb

  David grinned. “That’s asking a lot of me. Tell you what. Make you a deal.”

  Maggie cocked her head at him. “Yeah? And what would that be?”

  Her breath stilled as he bent closer. His hand propped against the door frame, reminding her of the other night. His other hand traced the outline of her jaw. His finger gently touched her bottom lip. Oh, boy.

  “I promise not to peek–mind you, I’ll be tempted–if, Maggie, you will go out with me Monday night.”

  She dared to look up into his eyes. The green had become a living pool of light. Her own face reflected back at her from those depths. His head dipped closer. Maggie pressed her back against the truck. She wanted this, didn’t she? He kissed so well the other night. She would like another. Oh, wow. She was a female version of Oliver Twist. Please, may I have some more?

  His lips barely touched Maggie’s when Sarah’s voice called out. David growled and pushed away.

  Maggie heaved a sigh. Of relief or regret?

  “Maggie, Poppy is looking for you. David, the men need your help with the tables. We’re trying to fit them closer together.” Sarah crossed the road to them.

  David looked longingly at Maggie and then nodded. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  She snagged his wrist. Heat from his body warred with the cool water that coated his arm and ran under her palm. He looked down at her fingers before lifting his eyes to hers. She smiled and rose up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Six o’clock?”

  His eyes sparkled. Oh, my, how bright they were. Gleaming emeralds. “Six.”

  She watched as he crossed the road, a bounce to his steps. Ignoring Sarah’s questioning gaze, Maggie pulled an over shirt out of the cab for Poppy and shut the door. Oh, boy. She had a date Monday night.

  : : : : :

  Jeremy sucked a breath through clenched teeth as he shifted in his seat, waiting for Dennis to bring him some water. His damp shorts rubbed a raw spot against his inner thighs. He plucked at the hem of his shorts and shifted again in the lawn chair.

  Cold water dribbled down his back. He glared at Dennis, who grinned down at him. “Give me that, goofball.” He took the water bottle from the teen’s hand. “You and Marty Jr. heading to the movies?”

  “Yes, sir.” Dennis plunked down on the grass beside him. “We’re supposed to meet Angela and Mike there, but Mike backed out at the last moment.”

  “So, it’s gonna be just Angela?”

  Dennis squinted. “Well, no. She invited two of her friends with her. Marcy and Sasha.”

  Jeremy raised his brow. “I thought Sasha was in reform.”

  “She was. But she’s been going to counseling.” He placed a hand on Jeremy’s forearm. “We are only doing movies, Dad. And who knows, maybe I or Marty can make a difference in the girl’s life.”

  Jeremy sipped at his bottle and gazed across the river. Few people were left. Most of the food was gone. He sighed. It was a great day, despite his embarrassing plunge from the rope. His gaze settled on the pier and the couple who sat with a little redhead between them.

  Dennis’s gaze bored into him. He didn’t want to think about his son out with girls. Man, he wasn’t ready for this. It made him feel old.

  “Dad?”

  He took a deep breath. “Okay. No later than eleven. And I expect an update by nine.”

  Dennis jumped up. “Taking the truck or Mom’s car?”

  Jeremy smiled. “The car. Especially since she has the back seat full of boxes for Goodwill.”

  Dennis grimaced. “I ain’t planning on doing anything, Dad.”

  Jeremy handed him his set of car keys. “That’s the reason I’m letting you have the car. No room in case you decide to be stupid.”

  His son rolled his eyes and, with a huff, stood and motioned to Marty Jr. “See ya, Dad. And thanks.”

  “Nine!”

  “Nine. In at eleven. Gotcha.”

  Jeremy watched his son hightail it to the car with Marty Jr., who shouted reassurances over his shoulder to Marty Sr.

  “Growing up too soon. Before long, it’ll be Sophie.” Sarah dropped into his lap. Her weight pressed his semi-wet shorts deeper into him. “I don’t think I’m ready for that.”

  Jeremy nuzzled her neck. Sunshine and cinnamon flooded his senses. “I ain’t ready for Dennis to be out there. Lord knows what he’s up to when we allow him out.”

  Sarah chuckled. “Same as you when you were that age?”

  He bit back a groan and leaned his head back. “Oh, I hope not. Amazing that my dad never found out half of what I done.”

  “Well, it just made you a better officer.” She leaned against him, pulling his arms tighter around her. “Did you notice that David hasn’t left Maggie’s side all afternoon?”

  “Yeah.” His brother rose to his feet. Poppy followed him to the table, where they collected a plate full of sweets. Jeremy snickered. Maggie would have her hands full with a hyper child tonight.

  “She’s in love with him.”

  “I feel sorry for her.”

  “Jeremy!” She smacked his hand. “Don’t be so callous. David deserves to be happy, and Maggie would be good for him.”

  He frowned at his wife. Why did everyone in the family pamper and defend the man? “I don’t think he’s ready. In case you haven’t noticed, the man is hiding something.”

  “He’s hiding pain.” Sarah wiggled around until she faced him. “He needs family and church.”

  “He needs a butt-kicking.”

  She rolled her eyes and hopped up. “You are so obstinate sometimes.”

  A cold wind picked up and whipped her ponytail around her face. Jeremy stood and wrapped his arms around her, pressing his forehead to hers. Tonight was not a night to deal with Sarah’s ire. “Sorry, sweetie. The man just gets my back up. But I promise that I’ll be there for him.”

  “Promise? Darlene and I know that something is wrong, well, according to your mom, anyway.”

  “You’ve been talking to Mom about David?”

  “And you.” Another blast of wind hit them. She looked up, holding her ponytail still. “That’s coming in fast.”

  Jeremy peered up at the sky. Dark clouds, with a tint of green, rolled across the horizon. That wasn’t good. He pushed at Sarah. “Go and start packing the stuff up.”

  She took off to the tables. He spotted Maggie herding Poppy to the tables. David stood on the edge of the pier, watching the clouds. Jeremy jogged to his brother.

  The boards creaked under his weight. Water lapped against the banks, rising with each surge. The cold wind buffeted his body. He stood beside David.

  “Bad?”

  David grunted, staring into the sky. “Got your phone? Left mine in the truck.”

  Jeremy pulled out his cell and handed it to him. While David dialed, Jeremy walked over to Sarah. “Call Dennis and tell him to cancel the movies. By the looks of this, it isn’t gonna be a quiet night.”

  Sarah nodded. “Okay.” She turned to Sophie. “Go put those in the truck. Poppy, take the cloths and help Sophie.”

  The girls hurried off, following Maggie as she lugged baskets up the trail for some of the church women. Jeremy turned back to his wife.

  “Can you hitch a ride with Darlene or Maggie? I’m going to head to the station. If it is as bad as it seems like it will be, they’re going to call me in, anyway.”

  “Jeremy!” David hurried to his side and handed him the phone back. “Thomas requested everybody to the station. National Weather Service has us under a tornado warning. Tunica was hit ten minutes ago. It’s heading this way.”

  David flew up the trail, pausing long enough to drop a small peck on Maggie’s forehead as he passed her. Jeremy looked to Sarah. “You heard him. Call Mom and Dad, make sure they made it back from Memphis.”

  “Jeremy, be careful, sweetie.”

  He brushed his lips against hers. “I will. Love you.” Her prayers, he was sure, were already being sent upwards as he climbed the trail back to the r
oad.

  David’s ratty pick-up barreled past as he headed for his Ford truck. His phone buzzed.

  “Thad?” He hopped onto the seat. “We being called in?”

  “Just all of mid shift. Captain says this is going to be a bad night. How soon before you make it here?”

  Jeremy cranked the truck and pulled away. “About fifteen minutes out.”

  “See ya then.”

  A heavy sigh escaped him. So much for a pleasant night. He fought his truck as a strong gust battered against it. The sky darkened. He craned his neck to look up at the sky. He should have gotten the truck with the moon roof.

  Trees bowed as low as possible as the wind whipped down the highway. Veins popped along Jeremy’s arm as he fought to keep the truck on the highway.

  He jumped as a rock slammed against his windshield. No, it wasn’t a rock. Hail. Marble-sized ice balls bounced against the hood and windshield. His heart raced as he shot a quiet prayer heavenward. He needed his family kept safe tonight.

  : : : : :

  David picked up the last piece of burnt metal from the road and cast it onto the truck’s flatbed. Rain pelted him and his turnouts. Black sooty rivers ran down his legs and onto the pavement. He waved to the chief.

  “That’s the last.”

  Thomas nodded and motioned to the wrecker. It puffed and lumbered away, carrying the warped metal hunk, formerly known as a Dodge Charger.

  Thomas turned to David. “How’s the boys holding up?”

  David pulled off his helmet. Rainwater was preferable to sweat. “They’re hanging in there. Storm’s letting up, so we’ll be able to rest for a little while. That is, if no other idiots decide to joyride in this mess.”

  He followed Thomas past Engine One. The bumper invited him to sit down on its shiny, wet surface, but if he gave in, he wouldn’t have the energy to last the night.

  “It’s not over yet. We have another wave heading our way. Vortex indications on radar, but no sightings.”

  David dragged a hand across his eyes. “It isn’t tornados that worry me. The river’s currents are strong, and the water’s high enough to wash out some of the lower roads. Volunteer stations are working at clearing most of the debris from them, but they already had two of their trucks stall in the low dips.”

  Thomas opened the door to his car, shrugging out of his jacket before falling into the seat. “Jackson still chief at District Eight?”

  “Yeah. And Pete James is still at District Seven. They got most of the roads covered. Toby’s playing message bearer tonight.”

  “Good. I’m heading over to Station Three–”

  Dispatch broke in. “Station One, PD requesting rescue at Bokushi River.”

  David took a deep breath. He needed strength to make it through this one. Thomas slammed the door to the car as David whirled around. He trotted to Engine One, yanking at his turnout jacket.

  Toby called into the mike as he jerked open the door. “Engine One en route, dispatch. Advise type of rescue.”

  David dropped into the captain’s seat and slung his turnout jacket into the jump seats, narrowly missing the rookie. He unbuckled his bunker pants and fought to slide them off. Between the sweat and the rain, his body was soaked clear through.

  “Engine One, please be advised, one victim trapped in Bokushi River at Little Black Point. PD requesting water rescue.”

  Toby grimaced. “Copy, dispatch. Engine One ETA three minutes.”

  David wiggled his feet out of the boots. “Who’s on call for water rescue?”

  “Besides you? Sam is the only one. And he’s at a barn fire on Dublin Road.”

  Great. He turned to the rookie. “Chuck, when we get there, I want you to grab the PFDs from the side panel. You know what they are, right?”

  Eyes wide, Chuck nodded. “Personal floatation devices.”

  “Yeah. There’s a throw bag in there, also. Grab it.” He turned back around and flashed a smile at Toby. “At least I’m already soaked.”

  Toby chuckled and turned the engine onto the country road. “Well, well. That’s a lot of cars for a trapped swimmer.” He pulled the engine to the side, behind the flashing blue strobes of the police cars. “What fool would venture to Little Black Point in this weather at this time of night?”

  “Suicidal fool?” The engine lumbered to a stop. David threw open the door. His feet slipped against the slick running board as his hand missed the door handle. Pain stabbed his lower back as it met the metal. He grimaced. This night needed to end soon. He was not going to last much longer.

  Chuck threw him the PFD. Toby came around with a heavy-looking bag. David nodded toward it. “Is that the rescue rope and stuff?”

  “Yeah. You ready?”

  No.

  “Sure.” Toby passed him the harness.

  He navigated the overgrown trail to the river’s edge and struggled to slip the harness over his shoulders. Wet grass slapped and tangled at his feet. Chuck appeared beside him.

  “What do I do?”

  David spared a glance at the rookie. “Help out Toby. I’ll need strong hands on the rope.”

  A small smiled tugged at his mouth as the young man hurried ahead of them to the scene. Of the rookies who arrived, Chuck was by far the best. He was actually the fastest learner. If Toby wasn’t careful, Chuck would be vying for a driver-operator position.

  Officers stood near the edge. He spotted Jeremy on his stomach leaning over the edge of the steep drop-off. Little Black Point, perfect for swimming in the deepest part of the river on a calm day. A death trap during a storm.

  David shook his head. Job to do. Couldn’t let his tired mind drift away.

  Toby reached over. “Hold still. The back clasp isn’t fastened.”

  A harsh tug had the harness biting against his chest. He pulled at the front straps. “Latch the rope on.”

  Toby snagged the end of the rope from Chuck, snapping the carabiner to the harness. He yanked it. “Good to go.”

  Chuck handed him the throw bag. He slung the strap over his shoulder, settling the red bag under his arm.

  David approached the edge and peered over. “What you got?”

  Jeremy looked up, taking in his gear. “You do water rescue?”

  “Two years now.” He fell to his hands and knees beside his brother. Below them, a small form fought against the current, hands gripping an outcropping of rock.

  “It’s Franklin. He slipped. Managed to call 911 before he lost his phone.”

  David nodded. “Toby! Going over. Got a good descent path.”

  “Gotcha, man.”

  He took a deep breath and lowered himself to his stomach. With slow movements, he pivoted until his legs hung over the edge. Inch by inch, he slid his legs off solid ground. Easy. “Toby, start lowering me down.”

  Franklin’s voice broke through the rain that lashed against them. “I can’t hold on!”

  David looked over his shoulder. Terror filled the teen’s eyes. “I’m coming, Franklin. I need you to hold on a little bit longer, okay.”

  “I can’t!”

  “You can, Frankie. Tell me about yourself. What grade are you in?” He dug his fingers into a muddy handhold. The edge gave way. His body slammed against the river wall.

  Jeremy, eyes wide, snatched at him. “David!”

  “I’m fine, I’m fine. Give me some slack!” He took another breath. His heart ricocheted in his chest. Man, he hated it when that happened. “Frankie? You still there?”

  A weak reply answered. “Yes. I’m in ninth. Failed a year.”

  David sought a foothold. His foot slipped. Another cascade of mud plopped into the raging river. “How are you doing now, Frankie?”

  “Okay enough. Mainly B’s.”

  “Hey. That’s good. I made mainly B’s. A few C’s too.” Another foot down. He looked over his shoulder at the teen. “I’ll tell you something, Frankie. You’re strong, man. You keep holding on to that rock, okay. I’ll be down in no time.”

&n
bsp; A sudden yell penetrated the air. Franklin had lost his grip. The river swept his body down a few feet before slamming him against a muddy protrusion of river wall. Franklin’s hands clawed at it, his fingers digging into the mud.

  “Toby! Slack!”

  “David, don’t do it.” Jeremy’s terrified face watched from above. His hands clutched at the grass tufts along the edge.

  The wind whipped against David. His clothes molded him in a wet cocoon. Franklin held on only a few feet downstream.

  David tugged at the rope. “Toby!” Franklin couldn’t hold on much longer. “I can make it. Give me slack.”

  Toby refused to release the rope. David spouted an oath. Fine time to obey protocol. He’d take care of that.

  Jeremy’s voice issued orders. “Bring him up. Franklin’s too far away for him to reach. We’ll try down there.”

  David ripped the red bag from his shoulder and pulled out the rope. His numb fingers fumbled, refusing to bend when needed. He latched the rope onto his harness. His body rose slowly to the top. Working quickly, he threaded the rope through his fingers until he found the carabiner at the end. He latched it to the rescue rope’s loop and unlatched the rescue rope from his harness. His hands strained to hold on.

  Jeremy peered over the edge and cursed. David gave his brother one last look and pushed off the wall. Cold water grasped at him. He rolled, letting the current drag him down. The PFD brought him quickly to the surface, and he gasped in water and air.

  He spotted the boy a few feet away. Franklin struggled to hold on, his fingers buried deep into the wall of clay mud.

  David rode the current toward the teen. He grimaced as the water rammed him against the point. Jagged rocks bit into him. His hands latched onto Franklin, and he wrapped one arm around the boy’s chest and under his chin.

  “Relax. I got you.” David fought against the pull of the current as it tried to drag him away from the wall. “Listen to my voice. I need you to grab my harness and hold on.”

  Good thing that the boy had enough sense to listen. The teen grabbed the harness in a death grip. David looped extra rope around the boy and fastened it to the carabiner. Franklin gasped as a yank pulled them away from the wall. David kept one hand around the teen and treaded water with the other, struggling against the current. He had to stay as close as possible to the river’s edge.