Through Smoke: The Troubled Heroes Series

by J. R. Tate

  He grabbed a blue and black plaid button up and a pair of jeans. It was just beer and pool. There was no need to pull out all the stops. Besides, he probably wasn’t going to stay too late. He had a shift starting at seven the next morning.

  He splashed on some aftershave and glanced at himself in the mirror. He looked haggard and worn out. The wise thing would be to stay in and catch up on sleep but he had already told Eva he would be there. It would be rude not to show up. Grabbing his leather jacket, he smoothed his fingers through his hair and made his way down the stairs. Perry’s wasn’t too far and he would make the four block walk in a few minutes.

  The streets were already filling up with the nightlife crowd. It was funny, but Michael could always pinpoint the tourists. He wanted to ask them why they found their way to Hell’s Kitchen of all places they could be in New York. There were even times that they would stop by the firehouse and ask for pictures and a tour through the station. They always obliged of course but he never saw the appeal.

  A wall of smoke hit him hard as he entered Perry’s. It wasn’t overly crowded but a good show of people had already arrived. It was eight fifteen and he saw his group toward the back, all of them sitting at a round table. Eva spotted him and motioned to him.

  “Well if isn’t Mr. McGinnis. Join us, have a drink.” Darryl was already acting tipsy and Michael wasn’t surprised. The man loved his beer.

  Michael ordered a beer and found a seat. He took notice of everyone who was there. Eva, Darryl, Jack who was Eva’s partner on the ambulance, and John, a firefighter he somewhat knew. He had just transferred from Brooklyn.

  “So, let’s make a toast.” Eva held up her glass of what looked like Jack and Coke.

  “Toast to what?” Darryl let out a laugh that was louder than the song that blared on the juke box. “Let’s just drink up!”

  Eva held up her hand and smirked. “Jeez Darryl, we haven’t even been here ten minutes and you’re lit up like a damn Christmas tree!” She paused. “Let’s toast to that amazing save you guys had the other night. Our boy Mikey here kicked some ass!” She grinned at Michael, the look on her face letting him know that she was genuinely proud of him.

  Michael could feel his face heat up. He was probably bright red. He was never one for the direct attention, but he clanked his beer bottle against everyone else’s drinks and took a long swig. He couldn’t help but notice how attractive Eva looked. She always looked good but out of her work clothes she was gorgeous. Her long brown hair was wavy and her shirt fit against her curves like it was specially made just for her. Her hazel eyes were full of joy and it seemed like she couldn’t stop grinning. Her smile was captivating.

  “Damn Mikey, you awake over there?” Darryl lightly punched him in the shoulder, jolting him out of his daydream. He feared that they noticed him staring at Eva but thankfully they hadn’t caught on.

  “Sorry, was just thinking about playing some pool. Anyone wanna take me on?” He wasn’t the best pool player but he could hold his own.

  Eva stuck her hand out to shake his. “You’re on. Word is you’re a pool shark.” She finished her drink and stood up, pulling him toward the tables. “I think you’re in for a surprise.”

  Michael scoffed and tossed her a pool stick. Darryl followed and Michael was almost certain he would be easy to take. He couldn’t play sober, much less while he was buzzing. He smoothed the tip of the stick with chalk and began to rack the balls. Eva walked by, her perfume overtaking him. It was refreshing compared to the cigarette smoke that hovered in the room.

  Eva moved the pool stick back and forth between her hands, an arrogant grin forming on her lips. “Don’t let this fool you, I don’t know how to play at all.” She paused and watched as Darryl hit the cue ball to break.

  “Do you know how to hold it?” Michael stood next to her.

  She let out a laugh and flipped her hair back on her shoulder, leaning over the table. She was right. She didn’t have any form at all. Michael hesitated but got behind her, leaning over her back to show her how. At first it was awkward and he was scared she would pull away, but she didn’t budge and allowed for him to get in her personal space. He placed his hands over hers. Her skin was smooth under his.

  “I always put the pool stick between my index and middle finger of my left hand. You slide it through with your right hand. It’s all about the angles.” He helped her hit the cue ball but it went off course and completely missed the ball they were aiming at. “It’s usually more successful if you don’t have a clumsy guy standing over you.”

  He backed off and took a sip of his beer. She took another shot, this time banking in the solid green number six into a corner pocket. Circling the table, she found another angle she liked and hit another one in, the same arrogant grin parting her lips. “Personally, Mikey, I don’t like the form you use too well, but thanks for your opinion.” She winked and leaned over, barely missing a side pocket. “Looks like you’re in for a long night.”

  Michael shook his head and finished the last remnants of his beer. He should have known better. This was one of her favorite places to hang out. It didn’t matter though, he enjoyed the little lesson he gave her anyway.

  After a few games he decided to call it a night. He had won a couple but for the most part, Eva had dominated him and Darryl. He didn’t want to leave but he had an early morning shift.

  “Hey, I think I’m gonna head home. It’s after midnight.” Michael tapped his watch and pulled out his wallet, handing their waitress more than enough to cover everyone’s tabs.

  “You getting old or are you just embarrassed?” Eva patted his shoulder.

  “A little of both I guess. Besides, you’re the one who accused me of being the pool shark. Calling the kettle black aren’t we?” They all walked to the exit, the brisk chill of the night air strong. “I definitely want a rematch.”

  “Just to be put in your place again?” Eva winked and slightly bumped into him. He couldn’t tell if it was intentional or not but he welcomed the contact. He knew they were just friends but he could feel some form of an attraction, even if it was from the few drinks they had and the buzzed sensation he was experiencing.

  Darryl reached out and shook Michael’s hand. “Hey Mikey, see you bright and early.”

  “You got it, see ya.” Michael shook his hand and turned his attention back to Eva. “You need me to walk you home or anything? City’s not safe at night ya know.”

  She scoffed and pulled a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes falling down to the sidewalk. She hugged herself and he could tell she was shivering. She wasn’t exactly dressed for this weather in a thin tank top and no jacket. “I just live two blocks down, it’s okay. I walk alone all the time.”

  He took his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. “I’ll walk you. You look like you’re about to freeze anyway.”

  “Thanks Michael, that’s very nice. You sure you won’t freeze?”

  “Nah, I like the cold.” He waved his hand in front of him. Traffic was still kind of thick for being after midnight but that was nothing new, especially for a Friday night.

  “Hah! Which is why your teeth are clattering together?”

  He couldn’t help but notice that their pace had slowed down. It was almost like they were both trying to stall the trip back to her house. What would he say if she invited him inside? What would he do if he felt the urge to kiss her? Did she see him that way? Did he see her that way? They had a good friendship and it terrified him to know that in a split second that all could be ruined if he read the situation wrong.

  “You never noticed that? I have a speech impediment.” He was enjoying the harmless banter they shared all evening.

  Her laugh was so lively. “Well, here’s my stoop. Thanks so much for the jacket and the walk home.” She shrugged the jacket off of her shoulders and handed it back to him. “I had a lot of fun tonight. We need to do that more often.”

  “Yeah, we do. It was good to get out of the house.” H
e stared into her hazel eyes. So many times he worked with her and always knew she was an attractive woman, but tonight he noticed just how beautiful she truly was. Maybe it was true; personality really had a lot more to do with looks than most thought.

  Eva leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that comment she walked up her front steps and entered her apartment building, not giving him a chance to say anything back. He let out a sigh and headed back down Forty Second Avenue. He couldn’t have thought of a better ending for the evening than that.

  “So, what the hell is going on between you and Eva?” Darryl sat across from Michael in the lounge at the station. The shift had barely started and Michael never liked to chitchat that early in the morning.

  “C’mon now, I haven’t even had a cup of coffee yet. Talk to me in like an hour.” Michael flipped through the sports section, grimacing. It was a rocky start for the Mets but of course the Yankees were having a great time. He would never hear the end of that.

  “So tell me, did she invite you up?” Darryl arched his eyebrow. “You gotta have some details.” He paused and leaned back in the recliner. “Why do you always get the hot chicks?”

  Michael tried to hold the paper up to block Darryl out but there was never a way to get rid of him. “I’m not even going to dignify that with a response, Darryl. I haven’t had a girl in months. Such talk from a married man.”

  “Oh, so you admit that you two are together now?”

  Michael peered over the paper. “I didn’t say that. Eva and I are just friends, now would you shut the hell up so I can finish reading the paper? I swear it’s like dealing with damn high schoolers around this place sometimes.”

  Darryl stood up and flicked the paper with his index finger. “I guess you’re right, you didn’t get laid last night. You’re a tad bit on the cranky side.”

  Michael watched as Darryl left the lounge area, thankful that he was alone again. He never understood that guy. He was a happily married man with an amazing son. Why did he care so much about his sex life? Maybe he was just living vicariously through him.

  “Hey Mikey, you got a visitor downstairs.” The fireman watching the door walked half way up the stairs.

  Michael didn’t look up from the paper. “Yeah, who is it?” A visitor at seven in the morning?

  “Some guy. Looks kinda like you. I didn’t get his name.”

  Michael folded the paper up and tossed it on the table, griping under his breath. So much for getting to read the paper and wake up before anyone bothered him. He slowly walked down the stairs, the cold morning air nipping at him. He spotted his brother standing between the ladder truck and the engine, his body shivering. He didn’t have a jacket on and looked as if he hadn’t slept in days.

  “Casey, what are you doing here?” Just looking at his younger brother made him sick to his stomach. “Are you sick?”

  Casey nodded and wrapped his arms around his body in attempt to warm up. “I don’t have a place to stay. They turned off all my utilities yesterday and today there was a lock on the door. I can’t get in.”

  Michael folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the truck. At first he was completely livid at Casey. “Did you not pay your bills?”

  “I paid mine but my roommate skipped out on me. I couldn’t cover both.”

  “And where do I come into this picture? You know I sure as hell can’t afford it. Did you talk to mom?”

  Casey pulled Michael close to him, his eyes wide with fear at the mention of their mother. Casey had never gotten along with her and would let himself die before he had to deal with her. “I can’t go to mom.” He was so cold that his teeth began to clatter together.

  Michael shrugged out of his coat and draped it over Casey’s shoulders. He had no idea what he was going to do. He could offer Casey to stay at his place but he didn’t trust him there alone. There was no telling who he would bring home or what he would bring in either. He couldn’t just turn him away though. “None of your friends are around for you to stay with them?”

  Casey shook his head no. “I’d owe them big time.”

  “Sounds like you got some great friends.” Michael paused and glanced down at his watch. It was almost time to start cleaning up the station. He had to make a quick decision. “Casey, listen. You can stay at my house but you gotta understand this isn’t a permanent thing, you hear?” He pointed his index finger in Casey’s chest and got directly in his face, staring him right in the eyes. “Absolutely no one is allowed inside. And if I find any type of illegal substance so help you God, do you understand?”

  “Thank you Michael. I really appreciate it.” Casey swallowed hard. “I understand.”

  Michael dug down in his pocket and handed him the key, thankful that he kept a spare up in his locker. “Don’t let me down, Casey.”

  When Eva got to work she was unsure if she should approach Michael or not. He looked tense. Usually by this time of day he was joking around with the other guys, a smile constant on his face, but today was totally different. He sat away from everyone else, his eyes watching the TV but his mind was definitely elsewhere.

  She strode over to him and sat two couch cushions down from him to keep the distance, just in case. Surely he wasn’t frazzled over last night, nothing had happened. It was harmless drinks with a nice walk home, nothing else. He acknowledged her with a small smile but his green eyes didn’t seem as bright as usual. He turned his attention back to the morning talk show.

  “You don’t look like the Good Morning America type, Mikey.” She tried to open up with some good humor.

  He tapped the remote on the side of his leg and ran his hand through his dark hair, causing a few of the ends to spike out in different directions. “Hell, there’s nothing else on at this time of day. I’m silently praying for a damn fire to pass the time.”

  “It’s always when we don’t want them that they come.” She crossed her legs and tried to focus on the guest, some young actor she didn’t follow, but her mind went back to Michael and how out of character he was acting. “Hey, is there something wrong?”

  He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and let out a heavy sigh. “Nah, what makes you say that?”

  She shrugged. “Just not normal for you to sit and watch TV. You’re usually the guy in the center of attention around here. If you need to chat or something, I’m here.”

  He nodded and kept his eyes on the TV. “Thanks, that’s nice of you. It’s just family bullshit, nothing I can’t handle. I’m trying to not take it out on anyone.” He paused and began to flip through the channels, stopping on The Weather Channel. Rain was in the forecast. “Last night was great. I’m pretty sure I’ve said that a hundred times but it was a nice change.”

  “I agree.” She wasn’t sure where this was going. They had always been friends but it felt like it was becoming more. It scared her to think that. Moving this to the next level terrified her for several reasons.

  The fire alarm sounded, trailed by the dispatcher’s voice. “Engine Thirty Seven, Ladder Twenty One, respond to Forty Second and Eighth, a gas leak has been reported at this location. Need you on standby.”

  Michael stood up and stretched his arms out. “I guess I got half my wish. It’s not a fire but it has the potential to be.” He winked at her and slid down the pole to the garage. She didn’t know much about his family. He wasn’t one to talk about it or anything in his personal life for that matter but she could tell whatever was going on, it was wearing thin on him.

  Casey loved how cozy Michael’s apartment was. It was only a two bedroom, one bath, but it was a lot nicer than any of the places he ever got to stay. The last place he got evicted from was almost classified as condemned. He walked through the living room and into the kitchen. Scanning through the cabinets, he couldn’t help but let out a smile. Things were organized pretty well but the place definitely had a lived in look.

  The refrigerator had a case of beer at the bottom, s
ome lunchmeat, and several leftovers. Of course Michael had beer. That was the one grocery Casey could remember him never skipping out on.

  He strolled down the hallway, taking note of some pictures up on the wall. There were a few of him and Michael, some of their mom, but one in particular made him stop in his tracks. There was a plaque along with a framed picture of their father on Michael’s dresser. The plaque was dedicated to their father for being promoted to lieutenant. He had died when Casey was eleven and Michael was fourteen. There was an explosion in a fire and the building caved in on top of him. Casey blamed his troubles on that. He knew if his father were still alive he would probably be in the fire department right alongside Michael.

  He ran his fingertip over the engraved letters. Marty McGinnis, decorated fire lieutenant for Ladder Twenty One and beloved father. His death even prompted Michael to turn to trouble making for a short time during his teenage years. He knew they were hell on their mother. Casey just wished he could find a way back to the good side like his older brother. He laughed to himself. That would probably never happen.

  He stood in Michael’s room a few more seconds before going to the living room. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and turned the TV on, ordering a pay per view movie he was sure Michael would be pissed about. Reaching for the phone, he dialed a number and waited.

  “Hey Viper, what’s going on? Yeah man, I got a place to stay. I’m alone ‘til like seven tonight. I’ll make my bet between now and then. You can come over and we can get it squared away. Talk to you later.”

  Chapter Three