My Butterfly

to the moon and back,” I said.
    “I love you too,” she whispered, through her drying tears.
    Her eyes lingered in mine for a second or two longer. Then, I took a step back from her door. It seemed as if she tried to smile again, but the corners of her lips just never quite succeeded at fully turning up, in the end. Then, she planted her eyes straight ahead and stepped on the gas.
    I watched as her jeep ambled over the rocks in the driveway, leaving me behind. I pretended that she was just going to get a pizza from the next town over or a movie from Wally’s.
    Then, at the top of the driveway, she stopped. I stood up straighter and looked for her. And through the passenger’s window, I caught her kissing the palm of her hand and then blowing it my way. I threw my fist into the air and acted like I was catching it. Then, I waved goodbye.

Chapter Ten
    False Alarm
     
     
    “D amn it,” I said, under my breath, as I turned the knob that quieted the tones.
    My eyes found hers. She was disappointed; I could tell. But she put on a soft smile anyway.
    “I’ll get it to go,” she said.
    I felt a heavy sigh escape past my lips.
    “Thanks, babe,” I said, pushing out my chair and stepping toward her. “Do you mind hangin’ out with Jeff for awhile.”
    Still smiling, she shook her head.
    I kissed her lips and gestured over to Jeff. Jeff scurried over and planted his feet in front of me.
    “Are you getting off soon?” I asked him.
    “Yeah, in about ten minutes,” he said, glancing at his watch.
    “Good,” I said. “Can you take Julia to wherever she wants to go?”
    “Sure,” Jeff said, smiling a wide, toothy grin in Julia’s direction.
    “Thanks, buddy,” I said, patting him on the shoulder.
    “I’m sorry, baby,” I said to Jules. “I’ll call you when we’re finished.”
    “Okay,” she said. “Be careful.”
    “I will,” I replied, before turning and hurrying out the door.
    Moments later, I was jumping into my truck and reaching into the backseat for my light. It took me a second, but I eventually found it, stuck it to the roof and flipped it on.
    The first week she was back in town from school, and I had a call. I let go of another big sigh and then threw the truck into reverse and then first.
    The fire station wasn’t even a mile down the road from the tiny bar, and about a minute later, I was already pulling into the little parking lot. It looked as though I was the first one there, except for the captain, who always seemed to be there. I quickly turned off the ignition and jumped out, slamming the door behind me.
    Within seconds, I was inside the station and thrusting my hand against the button on the wall that sent the bay doors flying open.
    By the time I reached my gear, someone was already behind me. It was Mike. He usually drove the tanker truck if we needed it, but we wouldn’t be needing it today.
    I stepped into my pants and boots and threw the suspenders over my shoulders. My jacket was hanging on a hook on the wall. I grabbed it and forced my arms into its holes. Then, I grabbed my hat.
    “Nothin’ like gettin’ a call in the middle of an argument with your wife,” Mike said, with a wide grin.
    I paused and smiled back at him. He was still wiggling into his pants.
    “You kissed her though, right?” I asked.
    “Yeah,” he said, chuckling. “But I’ll still hear about it later, I’m sure.”
    I laughed once and flung open the driver’s side door and climbed behind the wheel. Then, I started the engine and flipped a switch, and immediately, red lights bounced off of the walls of the station and back into the cab. My eyes scanned the gauges in the dash. Everything looked okay. My attention then turned to the captain’s door when I saw it fly open. I watched as the captain climbed into the seat next to mine, and seconds later, Mike followed, jumping into the back.
    As soon as the doors slammed shut, I let off the brake and stepped on the gas. And when the front tires hit the street, I reached up and flipped another switch. Instantly, loud sirens poured from the top of the truck.
    We arrived at the address on the scanner within minutes, almost beating the chief, who had just pulled up in his own vehicle. There was a woman standing outside with two, small children. I recognized the woman’s face. She was new in town—just moved into old-man McConnell’s house. I had met her at the hardware store just last week.
    “You got this one, Will?” the captain