Authors: Toye Lawson Brown
Smoke (17 page)
“Almost 10:00 in the morning. Sit up; I made breakfast for you.”
She pulled her body to rest against the headboard. “You made breakfast for me?”
“Yup; I intend to pamper my lady for the next two days. The weather is
supposed to be nice outside. How about we go for a walk in the park today?”
She sipped the weakly made coffee forcing it to go down her throat without gagging. “Jonathan—“
“Gabrielle, I’m not taking no for an answer. I have two days left to spend with you; can I at least enjoy them before you kick me out of your life again?”
“I’m not kicking you from my life. I’m sure I’ll run into you at the hospital or we can call to say hello; remember we are friends.”
His cellphone rang on the night table. “Who would be calling me this early?”
Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. “Better answer it; it might be important.”
He picked up the phone, saying, “Hello, Lieutenant Murad.”
Gabrielle buttered her toast as Jonathan left the room to talk. The music playing caught her attention and brought forefront the events from the night before. They had stayed up most of the night talking and came to the conclusion that putting a halt to the budding relationship until further notice was a good idea. He’d told her about the chat with Sandra in the parking lot after career day, and how she might have been expressing events of her life using Gabrielle as an example.
Removing the tray table from her lap, she got out of bed and turned off the music. She wasn’t feeling very romantic and pretty much wanted Jonathan to leave so she could be alone to sulk. Looking in the mirror the puffy eyes staring back at her proved once and for all she was destined to be alone forever no matter what changes she made to her life.
Her two sisters were outgoing and popular and both married wealthy men and moved to other states. Her mother who’d married late in life was living abroad with her new husband in Africa. And, then there was her; stuck in Cleveland alone with a few relatives scattered around the area.
Opening the drawer of the dresser she removed a letter she needed to make a decision on soon. It was from a hospital in Chicago that had been pursuing her for months. She never really thought about moving out of state, but since the majority of her family was gone, she didn’t have a real reason to stay in Ohio.
She sighed tapping the letter on the edge of the dresser. The depression looming over her worsened. The moment she laid eyes on Sandra Rhodes, she wondered why the woman irked her nerves, and now she knew.
Jonathan entered the bedroom breaking her trance. “Sorry about that,” he said.
“My lieutenant got the report on the fire at Sandra’s house.”
She turned to face him. “Oh, what caused it?”
“The fire was deliberately set. He’s turning it over to the arson unit to investigate.”
“Wow. Jonathan, what kind of column does she write? Could she have ticked off someone bad enough to make them burn her house down?”
“I don’t know, but if there is a clue left in the ruble, the arson unit will find it.”
He noticed the paper in her hand. “Were you writing me a letter—a
Dear John
to be exact?”
She smiled. “You are silly. This is a letter from a hospital in Chicago for a job offer. I’ve been mulling it over a few weeks and have to make a decision soon.”
He placed his hands on his hips. “I guess I helped you make your decision.
When do you have to be in Chicago?”
“Jonathan, accepting the job offer has nothing to do with you. But, I have decided to accept their offer and they want me in Chicago the first of May. I’m a young woman with a promising career; starting over in a major city like Chicago, will be exciting.”
“I bet it will be exciting, and far enough away from me.” The sarcasm dripped heavily from his tone. “Do you know anyone in Chicago?”
She shook her head. “No I don’t, and mostly the reason why I hadn’t replied until now. My immediate family has moved on to bigger and better adventures, but I stayed behind when I can do my job in any city.”
“You never talk about your family. I wondered if you had family in the area.”
“That’s because we never talk, Jonathan.”
“I’m talking now.”
Gabrielle placed the letter in the drawer. “Yeah, but it’s a little late to start now. I should feed Midnight; I’m surprised she hasn’t come to remind me I haven’t fed her.”
“I fed her.”
“You will be her friend for life. Did she give you purrs and slither her tail around your leg?”
“Yeah, but I want her mother to give me purrs and slither around my legs.
Gabrielle,” he said walking over to her and embracing her. “Please reconsider that job offer.”
Having his arms around her made her wobbly. Sucking in his scent she closed her eyes to take it all in mentally and store it forever. “Jonathan, I’m going to miss you.
Promise me you will take care of yourself and not make so many heroic rescues.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this. I swear I am not the type to fall for phony seduction.”
She cupped his handsome face between her hands. “You’re too smart for that and I know you don’t want to be with Sandra. I guess you could say this is a preventive move, Jonathan. Being a fireman is stressful. Now you’re about to go digging around in a person’s life that could cause repercussions that you will be directly involved with.”
He gazed deeply into her eyes seeing the hidden pain. “What am I going to do without you?”
“A month ago you had no idea I existed. When the storm settles, you’ll dust off the bunker pants and carry on with your life, Mr. DeMinico.”
“And, up until you leave what am I supposed to do—pretend you never existed?
Pretend you haven’t broken my heart. I might be able to pretend all that, Gabrielle, but I can’t pretend I don’t care about you.”
“I care about you, but we don’t have a choice. Take my advice and stay away from any women until you have the goods on Sandra. You will have to pretend you’re into her or she will yank Amira away from you so fast it will make your head spin. A mother will protect her child even if she is abusing her.”
He sucked his lips. “I should mind my own business. Anthony didn’t spend that much time with them to know all their business.”
“Once you get them alone you can make that judgment call and slide out with an excuse if you don’t see anything wrong.”
“Yeah, but you’ll be gone. Are we still on for Pam’s party tonight?”
She smiled, planting a sensual kisses to his lips. “Yes. It will be our final night together as a couple. Wow, I never thought my relationship with Damien Hawke would beat this; I broke a record with this one only lasting two days.”
Jonathan savored the flavor of her lips. She might think all is over, but he had news for her; he was not letting her go or move to Chicago.
Three weeks after ending his relationship with Gabrielle, Jonathan’s mood remained sullen. He’d been using one day a week to spend with Amira and so far he had witnessed a difference in the girl’s behavior. When she was around him, she seemed relaxed but when Sandra came in the room she tended to become tense and withdrawn.
Jonathan polished the chrome on the Ladder 30. Washing the trucks took a lot of time and, thus far, the day had been slow and he took his time shining the bright red and white truck. Anthony came around to the front of the truck to help polish. “What’s going on, Jon?”
Putting full muscle into the circular motion his hands made with the cloth, he continued to churn away at the chrome making it sparkle in the sunlight. “Nothing,” he answered.
“Why are you being distant? All I’m getting from you lately is one-word answers or head nods. What’s up?”
He stopped polishing and tossed the rag in the bucket with the rest of the cleaning products. “Nothing is up, Anthony. How are you and Melanie getting along these days?”
“We’re great. We spent Saturday cleaning out my place, because I’m moving in with her next month. Did you hang out with Amira and Sandra again?”
“Yup. That seems to be my life of late.”
“Are you making any progress with Amira?”
“The only progress I’m making, is getting better at coming up with lies on why I can’t stick around after Amira is sent to bed. I’m tired of fighting off Sandra’s advances.
I’m sorry I let you talk me into this shit!”
“Me, what I got to do with any of this? I did not tell you to take on Sandra.”
“You told me about Amira. You knew damn well I wouldn’t turn my back on her. We work with troubled kids, Anthony; where have you been while I’m busting my ass helping Amira and the other kids?”
Anthony flipped his hand. “I’m trying to work it out with Melanie.”
“Anthony, why didn’t you offer to stick around and help Amira, if you were concerned about her welfare? I was trying to start something with Gabrielle just like you were with Melanie.”
“I told you Sandra didn’t appreciate me calling it quits with her.”
“I’m starting to think you planned this as pay-back.”
“Really—cause I’m not that childish.”
“Either way, thanks a lot, buddy, while you’re all snuggled up with Melanie on your days off; I’m right back where I was before Gabrielle came into my life—fucking alone!”
“You can’t blame me for Gabrielle dumping you.”
“I do because we were supposed to be helping Amira together. You hung me out to dry!”
“I don’t get why Gabrielle stopped seeing you. Amira is part of the youth group, not Sandra.”
“Sandra is always there, Anthony! Every time I turn around the woman is there; Gabrielle knew that would happen and didn’t want to deal with her.”
“Sandra is stalking you? Wow that is crazy!”
“I’m glad you find the shit funny. I almost have enough information to turn over to child services to investigate Sandra, but with Gabrielle moving to Chicago next month; I still come out on the losing end.”
Damn, man, why is she moving to Chicago?”
“She got a job offer and decided to take it.”
“Jon, look at me, man,” Anthony said lowering his voice.
“Just leave me alone,” he said bending down to clean the tires on the truck.
“Jon, I said look at me!”
“What are looking for—tears? I will get over it.”
“You son of a bitch—you’re in love with Gabrielle.”
“And you’re an idiot!”
“I’m an idiot that knows the truth you refuse to accept.”
Jonathan banged his head lightly against the door of the fire truck. “What am I gonna do if she leaves Cleveland. All I do is think about her. I drove by her house and just sat there hoping she would come outside.”
“Stop her from going. Dude, have you ever experienced real love?”
“You know I haven’t. Tasha probably was the closest I ever came to telling a woman I loved her.”
“Yeah but you didn’t let those three words escape your lips. Hell, you wouldn’t even give her the Valentines card with the words
I love you
written on it.”
He snorted. “Yeah I remember that. I didn’t want to leap too soon and I now I’ve waited too late to leap at all with Gabrielle.”
Anthony raised his brow. “Tell me the truth, Jon; do you love Gabrielle?”
Reiss interrupted them. “Jon, you gotta phone call inside.”
“I gotta take this call; we’ll finish talking later,” Jonathan said leaving.
*****
His voice was raspy and low. “You’re Jon’s girl right?”
“I’m a friend of Jonathan’s.”
“I see why he liked having you treat him; you’re good.”
“I’m glad I didn’t hurt you. Take care.”
Nick took notice of the young woman for the first time. She had the gentlest hands he’d ever felt, and her nature was comforting. “Wait a sec.”
“Yes, do you need a nurse?”
“Nah, I want to apologize to you.”
“Um, may I ask for what?”
“I busted Jon’s ass about you. But, I see for myself I was wrong; I should have got to know you before judging you.”
“Thank you, although you don’t owe me any apologies.”
“Nah, I mean it. Jon smiles more since he got with you.”
“He’s a very nice person and I like him a lot. You should get some rest.”
“So, are you guys serious?”
“Mr. Barona; we’re not. I wish Jonathan the best, but I will be moving from Cleveland next month.”
“He must be devastated. All he did was rave about you.”
Her ears perked. “Is that right?”
“Yeah you really threw him for loop. No woman could hold a candle to you according to him.”
“The timing wasn’t right. I’m sure he’ll find another woman to occupy his time.”
“I doubt it; he can be stubborn as a damn ox. Can I ask you for a favor?”
“Sure if I can do it.”
“They won’t let me have a phone and I don’t blame Jon and Anthony for not coming to visit; will you go by the station and let them know I need to see both of them?”
“I-I don’t—“
“Please, Gabrielle. I have a lot of redeeming to do and it begins with them.”
“Alright; I’ll call Jonathan for you,” she said calming Nick down.
“Thank you—thank you. You’re a real angle for doing this for me.”
*****
“You gotta visitor waiting outside. I asked her if she wanted to wait inside and she said no.”
“Thanks,” he said heading outside his stomach churned, hoping it wasn’t
Sandra. Going to the parking lot he noticed Gabrielle’s Trailblazer parked against the fence. His stomach eased.
She got out when she saw him approaching. Weeks had passed since she’d last seen or spoken to him. She couldn’t stop the smile crossing her lips. “Hi, Jonathan; it’s been a long time.”