Hold The Line -Evan Buckley-

Chapter Three

-Mabel's POV-

   The next morning I awoke to loud clanging in the kitchen and laughter echoing through the halls. The sun shining through the windows and feeling of my fluffy blankets cause a smile to stretch across my face. It has been a long time since I've woken up in a house that is filled with warmth in more ways than one. Just as I start to slip out of bed the door cracks open and two heads poke through.

"Good Morning, Mae!" Christopher shouts with a huge grin on his face.

I return his greeting while wrapping him in a hug. We eventually make our way into the kitchen where milk and cereal are spread out on the table. Something crunches under my feet and I look down to see fruity pebbles that have been spilled. After grabbing the broom and dust pan a voice interrupts me as I start to clean.

"I can pick that up. You're a guest." Eddie starts.

"I'm not really a guest if I'm staying for the unforeseen future. Plus, It's not a big deal, right big man?" I ask, looking towards Chris who shoots me a big smile.

"Yeah Dad, You didn't mean to spill it, accidents happen!" He replies.

Eddie and I break into laughter as I think about how smart Christopher is for his age.

After a filling breakfast I causally watch as the boys seem to get ready in tandem. They start with doing pushups together, taking turns in the shower, and brushing their teeth in the same mirror.

I'm sitting on Chris' bed listening to him talk about seeing Abuela today and how excited he is. Eddie appears and leans against the doorway. We both watch as Chris attempts to put his socks on. Eddie jumps to help him, but changes his mind, and lets Christopher do it himself.

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Once we drop Chris off at Abuela's, Eddie has to head to work. I can either go with Eddie and try to find something entertaining in the city around the fire department, or I can stay at the apartment alone. I don't even have to think on it to make my choice, and soon we are headed to the station house together.

I tell Eddie what my plan is for the day and he makes me promise to text him if I need anything. I very reluctantly agree to his parental tone. Once we split paths I start walking down the street until I see a small café. I stop in and grab a blueberry muffin from the brightly colored display case and a black coffee with sugar. As I am exiting the small shop I see the firetruck and ambulance for the 118 speed by.

They pull in to what looks like a restaurant. I watch as the crew try to push their way through a growing crowd towards an orange truck.

Oh I've got to see this.

After making my way across the street I push through the large group of people and plant myself next to a large plaster bull up against the building. Once there, I notice a lady with her head jammed in the tailpipe of a ridiculous looking truck. Chimney moves towards the woman as he speaks.

"Hi, What's her name?" He inquires.

"Betty." A douche in a tank top and capris speaks.

"Jennifer!" The girl in the pipe rebuts with an offended tone.

The guy replies by saying he was mistaken and thought Chimney meant the name of his truck.

What kind of tool names their vehicle? I think to myself while stifling a laugh. I make eye contact with Buck and he seems to be holding in a laugh himself.

The plot to the story thickens as it is revealed that the guy actually dared her to stick her head into the tailpipe, and that's how it got stuck.

"Your idea of flirting with a girl is daring her to stick her head in your tailpipe." Eddie states with a disapproving tone.