Chapter 5

Bryson

“I don’t rememberit being this hard or backbreaking when I helped Gramps,” I mutter, standing with the tiller in my hand.

Instead of hiring someone to do this, I’ve spent the morning tilling the rich, dark earth that has sat fallow since my grandparents passed, eager to use my time off to get the garden prepped and ready, but now, covered with sweat and dirt, I’m rethinking my plan of having fresh vegetables in a few months. After all, it’s not like grocery stores don’t sell them, for fuck’s sake.

“Suck it up, Bry,” I say out loud. Leaning down, I grab my water bottle and take a huge swallow, replace the cap then after I look at what I’ve already done, get back to it. The seeds are set to deliver in the morning, and I want to make sure I’m ready to plant.

An hour later, satisfied that I’m as ready as I can be, I put everything away in the shed and head back into the house to get cleaned up. I chuckle as I’m stripping off my clothes because now, I need to do more laundry. Guess it’s a good thing I’ve got a few more days off. Granted, I get to go back for a recheck before I’m cleared to return to duty, but it’s not the first time I’ve dealt with smoke inhalation, and I doubt it’ll be the last.

One of the hardest parts of being off is I’m used to being busy, but I’m at a stop gap with the upgrades I’ve been doing on the house until I get another deposit from the trust my grandparents set up for me. Every month, I receive an installment, which started when I was twenty-five with the last one coming in a few months when I turn thirty. It’s the bulk of the inheritance, and I’m beyond grateful that my gramps invested the way he did. They lived a comfortable life, and because of his foresight, I’ll never have to worry about money. I’ll have more than enough to support a family, send any kids I might have to college, and I’ll never have to worry like so many do. I’ve reinvested most of the draws, but about a year ago, I decided what I wanted to renovate and have been working through that list a little bit at a time. The last and most expensive thing was the kitchen, and since I wanted it to be just right, I used more than normal.

I enjoy what I do, and because I’ve got several certifications, including my EMT one, I’m one of the higher paid men in the department, but even still, if I didn’t have what my grandparents set up for me, I’d be like most of America, struggling. Thanks to them, and being taught the importance of living frugally, I am able to live, not just exist.

* * *

Sitting on my back deck, I can’t help the smile that crosses my face. Grams loved sitting on both the front porch and the back deck, so Gramps got custom-made chairs for them, and put up swings so she could enjoy just relaxing at the end of the day. They’d sit out front in the morning, drinking their coffee before Gramps would head out to work and Grams would go down to the nursing home and visit, or to the hospital and deliver magazines. They were so ingrained in this community that when they passed away, the funeral had to be moved to the school auditorium.

Pulling out my phone, I decide to text Jory. While I want to hear her voice, I noticed she was a bit hesitant. This way, she doesn’t feel put on the spot. Maybe while I’m off, we can go on the first of many dates if I have my way.

Me: Hey, Jory. It’s Bryson. Are you busy?

Long minutes pass and I wonder if she’s at work.

Jory: Hey, Bryson. How are you?

Me: I’m good. I have a few more days left before I can go back to work, so I thought I’d see if you were busy, and if you’d like to go out.

Jory: I thought you worked shifts? Or am I wrong about that?

Me: Normally I work 48 on, 72 off, but there was a house fire a few days ago and my partner and I ended up with a severe case of smoke inhalation when we rescued two little girls.

Jory: But you’ll be okay? And are the little girls going to be alright?

I smile because even though I don’t know her all that well, it’s something I suspected based on the interaction we had at the diner. I honestly can’t wait to get to know her better, and for her to know me as well. I see a future with her, one filled with a lot of laughter and eventually, love. Hopefully, it’s not just wishful thinking on my part, but somehow, I suspect my inner wishes are right on target.

Me: Yeah, I got a few breathing treatments in the hospital which I’m continuing at home, a round of steroids so I’m hungry all the time, and I have to get a recheck before I’m cleared to go back to work. As far as the kids go, from everything I know, they’re doing well.

Jory: I don’t like steroids, I was on them a lot while I was in the hospital. I felt hangry all the time.

This time, I laugh out loud because even though we’re texting, I can tell from her words she’s disgruntled by the situation.

Me: So, about going out?

Jory: Are you sure? I mean, yes, I’d like that.

Me: How about a movie and a meal? Is there anything you don’t like watching movie-wise?

Jory: I don’t like scary movies, but outside of that, I’m pretty open if that makes sense.

Me: I’ll check to see what’s playing and give you some choices, how about that? What’s your work schedule?

Jory: It’s wide open right now. I don’t work unless Mr. Grey gets a body in and we already took care of the two whose funerals are this week.

Me: Look forward to learning why you chose the profession you did, Jory.

Jory: I want to know why you chose what you did as well.

Me: Okay, I’ll let you know what I find out so we can nail down a time.

Jory: Sounds good to me, Bryson. You have a good night.

Me: You do the same, Jory.

Closing down our text stream, I sit back again, my feet up on the rail and take a long pull on my beer. Tomorrow, I’ll get the garden planted, check on movies that are playing, then build the chicken coop so I can get some chicks. With the mosquitoes now biting, I finish my beer and head into the house.

After all, tomorrow’s another day.