“You’re gonna be pulling hoses today. We’re pairing you up with Frank. Follow his lead.” Eli leaned in close and raised his voice to be heard over the siren’s wail. Neil nodded his head in understanding.
“It sounds like we have a house fire.” Clark turned from the front seat as he spoke. “Possibly two people inside. You want to suit up, Eli? Or do you want someone else to take it?”
“I got it. Me and Jerry can go in.” The truck fell silent after Eli spoke, except for the siren, horns and occasional radio chatter.
Neil finally broke the silence as he leaned closer to Eli. “You ever get tired of this?”
“Tired of what? Of saving lives? Of taming chaos?”
“Tired of this job.”
“No. You might get tired of the hours, or the long waits, but you don’t get tired of responding when you’re needed. You could say this job rescued me.”
“How’s that?”
“Well, my dad died when I was fifteen. We moved back to Iowa and my anger got me into a lot of trouble over the next few years. Chief Mathews at that little volunteer fire department took notice of me. He gave me stuff to do. I guess he gave me a way to blow off steam by putting out fires.”
“So how’d you end up here?”
“After fire college I came back. I knew…” Eli cut his words short as the truck wheeled to a stop. He swung a tank on his back as everyone else ran to their tasks.
*****
“Is Eli out of the house yet?” Neil asked as he and Frank held their hose.
Neil shook his head. “There’s a hot spot over there. Hit it for a while.”
About that time Eli and Jerry emerged from the house carrying a small child. They brought the child to the waiting ambulance and spoke briefly with the paramedics. Their faces were sweaty and smeared with soot, but a smile had found its way across as well.
“Judging by their faces, I’m guessing the kid will be alright.”
“I think you’re right. It’s nice to see Eli smiling.” Frank stepped in front of Neil and moved them closer with the hose. “I’m surprised he even worked today. It’s got to be tough on him.”
“Why? What happened?”
“Well, you know, with it being nine eleven and all.”
“What does that have to do with Eli?”
“You don’t know? His dad died in the towers. One of the first teams to respond that day. He was never recovered.”
Whoa, what a twist! Was expecting a dramatic slice o’life here. Great job.
Thanks, FAR!
I had a feeling it was going to go there somehow, but it does sound like Eli did recover to some extent.
I do wonder how many kids who had somebody die that day did end up in public service.
Nice story.
Thanks, Michael. I wonder that too. Children are resilient and usually find a way to get through things – sometimes better than adults – but I’m sure it shapes them in some way.
Who the heck gets tired of taming chaos and being a hero?
I don’t know, but we humans have a strange ability to find something tedious or burdensome if it wasn’t our idea or our first choice. Dogs, on the other hand, don’t have that problem.
Didn’t see the twist coming although I know I should have seen it!
Great post man.
Thanks, Jason. I was hoping that posting it a few days before 9/11 would allow me a little bit of a twist with that.
Good ending. It’s always interesting to see the power that some events have in shaping the lives of people. I’m happy for Eli. He’s doing something driving by a deep passion. Not many people can say they have that much.
I like your comment about passion, Stephen. One of my favorite quotes is “The glory of God is man fully alive” (I think it’s been attributed to Iranaeus, but I’m not entirely sure.) I know that I’m known to waste time on things about which I don’t have a true passion. Those are usually not my best days.
Great twist! And perfect for the date, too.
Thanks, Sonia. I really wanted to write something with a 9/11 slant for this weekend.
Nice job of weaving the past and present together. Plus, what John said.
Thanks, Tim!
A powerful and touching story Chuck, which many people will be able to relate to.
Thanks, Steve!
Lovely tribute. Well written.
Adam B @revhappiness
Thanks, Adam!
I had to get a Kleenex, but it was worth it. This is one of the most beautiful 9/11 inspired writings I have read. You did so good here. I am glad I got to read it. Thank you.
Thanks, Kwee! The use of Kleenex is a high compliment.
I’m glad you enjoyed the story and appreciate you tweeting it.
Wow great twist and very topical right now. It’s good that Eli feels he can still do the job. Really clever piece of writing bringing the past and the present together like that.
Thanks, Helen! I debated whether to have Eli going in a positive direction or otherwise, as I’m sure there are some who may not have recovered as well. I decided to go with the positive ending to emphasize hope.
Kind of had a feeling where it might be headed but really nicely written. It’s cool that Eli’s found a sense of purpose in life too.
Thanks, Lee-Ann! BTW, I loved the poem you posted as a 9/11 tribute on your blog. Beautifully written!
Fantastic and so nice to see a twist and a theme of 9/11 and how it can effect someone without others not knowing. Great work – like the dialogue
Good ending, and a fitting piece for this weekend.
Great story. I’m fascinated with how God will allow a person to be taken in order to save another life. In return the saved life saves many. I see the hand of God in that, real life, and this post…
Hi there Chuck — good twist. And glad Eli made it out of his fire (the moment where he was missing was an ‘uh, oh’… but it was cool, he came out with the child). St.