One
One
ᴊᴀᴄᴋ
I was awakened by the blaring alarm and quickly prepared myself for another fire response. It had been a long 24 hours, and I still had another 24 to go. As a lieutenant, I typically worked 48-hour shifts and led my team. My best friend, Buck, usually worked alongside me. “This is going to be grueling, Jack,” he remarked from behind me.
“Apartment fires typically are,” I responded. “Just stay focused and get as many people out as you can.” Jason and Charlie were also part of my team today, and they were all well-rested. Although I could use another coffee, I was committed to performing my duties.
Upon arriving at the scene, we observed that the fire was already well underway. “Jason, assist with extinguishing the fire. Buck and Charlie, you’re with me for search and rescue,” I instructed. “Sure thing, Lieutenant,” Jason replied, as Buck and Charlie followed me.
“My daughter!” a woman exclaimed. “Which floor, ma’am?” I inquired. “Fourth,” she responded. “We will get her,” I assured her as we proceeded into the building.
It was unbearably hot, and the fire raged as people panicked. “Charlie, guide them out; Buck, come with me,” I instructed, heading to the stairs with Buck. As we climbed higher, it got hotter. “Jack, it’s too hot,” “We need to find that little girl,” I replied. We reached the 4th floor. “Buck, go right,” I directed as I heading left into thick smoke. I searched several apartments but found nothing. “Attention all Fire Companies, evacuate now,” the chief ordered. “Buck, anything?” I radioed. “No, where is she?” Suddenly, I heard a faint cry. “I have her, Buck,” I said, moving deeper into the fire.
“Damn it, Jack,” he muttered but followed me. “LIEUTENANT MADDEN!” the chief yelled over the radio. “We’re coming,” I assured him as I reached the girl. “BUCK, RUN,” I shouted, handing him the girl. We sprinted down the hall as the roof collapsed on us. Trapped, I managed to save Buck and the girl. “Get her out,” I commanded. “No way, I’m not leaving you,” he argued. “Buck, go—I’m right behind you,” I insisted, pushing the beam off my legs. Buck left with no choice, leaving me in trouble.
“MADDEN!” the chief said, “Buck is coming out with the girl” I said, “and you?” the chief said, “I am trying” I said. “Dammit Madden” the chief said, and I know at this point he sent people in after me. He knew how stubborn I was, and I never left anyone behind if I could help it especially not kids. I mean if it were my kids I would die saving them, I had Luca, and he was 14 going on 30 and he was giving me a run for my money. Then I had Harlow she is 6 and my little princess and she drives Luca crazy.
As a single father, I often find myself mediating conflicts between my children. Their mother was not an ideal role model; she would see them on her own terms. I had Luca at a young age and took responsibility for his care while his mother engaged in partying and substance abuse, leading me to gain full custody of him quickly. When Luca was eight years old, his mother appeared to have changed, and I made the ill-advised decision to reconcile with her, resulting in the birth of Harlow. Unfortunately, I once again shouldered all responsibilities, eventually leading to our permanent separation. Since then, I have had full custody of both Luca and Harlow and pursued my career as a firefighter, thanks in large part to the support from my parents. Now at 30 years old, I manage two children independently while also overseeing the youth I work with.
“Lieutenant?” I heard Jason call out. “Under here,” I responded. Within a few minutes, the beam was lifted off me. “Are you okay?” Buck asked. “Yes, how is the girl?“. “She has been transported to the hospital with Cass and Khloe,” Buck replied. “Can you walk?” Jason asked. “Yes, I am fine,” standing up as we exited the building.
“Next time when I say get out, Jack, I mean it – get out!” my chief stated firmly. “Sorry, Chief, but I needed to save her,” I explained. “You are not invincible, Jack, and I will not send more men in there to rescue you next time,” I nodded as I observed the engine company fight the flames, and once they extinguished the fire, we returned to the station. “Jack, my office,” the chief directed. “Ohh,” Buck remarked, and I gave him a light punch as I followed the chief. “Jack, why do you do this every time?” he questioned. “I couldn’t leave her, Chief, once I heard her call out,” “Next time, it could be us retrieving your dead body. What would we tell your children then?” The chief asked. “That I did my job and saved someone’s life. They understand the risks I take, and I would do it for them,” I affirmed. “Next time, leave when I tell you to, got it?” Chief Hartford instructed. “Yes, Chief,” I responded, even though we both knew I might not adhere to his directive.
I went to the kitchen where Cass and Khloe were preparing breakfast for us. “Hey, how is the little girl?” I asked. “She was alive when we left,” Cass said. “Thanks, Cassandra,” I said. “Jack, you know I dislike my full name,” she retorted. “I know, that’s why I use it,” I teased her. “Oh, you are lucky you are charming,” she said. I smiled at her, grabbed a coffee, and sat down. “So, did you get in trouble?” Buck inquired. “No,” “It must be nice; if it were any of us, we would be suspended,” Buck mentioned. “Indeed, you would be,” I affirmed.
My phone rang, and I answered. “Luca,” I said. “Dad, can I stay home tonight?” he asked. “No,” I responded firmly. “Oh come on, it is Friday night, and I am old enough,” he argued. “Luca, you will go with your grandma,” I insisted. “You are being unreasonable,” “I don’t care; 24 hours is too long for you to be alone,” I explained. “I will be in school for 8 of them,” he countered. “Luca, no, end of discussion,” and he hung up.
“Man, to be a teenager again,” Buck said. “Who are you kidding? You are literally a teenager in a 30-year-old’s body,” Jason remarked. We all laughed; it was true—Buck was like a big kid at heart. Cass brought me a plate and walked away. “Where is mine, Cass?” Buck asked. “At the counter. Get it yourself,” she replied. Buck gave me a look as I ate my food. Just before Buck could take a bite, the bells went off again. “Every time,” he grumbled, and we ran to the truck. We were called to a multi-car pileup, which was severe. There were at least 15 cars involved, and it was challenging. I directed my team to work diligently to save as many people as possible. We were able to rescue most of the individuals, but unfortunately, two did not survive. It was just after 3 pm when we completed the cleanup.
My phone rang; it was Luca, but I declined as I was working.
“Luca?” Buck asked.
“Yes, I’ll deal with it later,” I replied, texting my mother to take Luca with her.
On our way back to the station, we got another call. Buck grumbled about being hungry.
“Deal with it, we’re busy,” I said.
At the house fire, unsure if anyone was inside, I directed, “Jason, Charlie, first floor. Buck, you’re with me upstairs.”
The fire grew, but we rescued two people, and Jason and Charlie saved their dog. Once it was out, we headed back to the station, ready for more calls.
Making it back to the statin and Buck finally was able to eat, I went to my office and did some paperwork. I lay down on my bed trying to get some sleep, I often wondered why I agreed to do the 48 hours sometimes. It felt like I was asleep for 5 seconds before another alarm was going off, and I cursed. I was back in the truck this time driving to the lake for a possible drowning, we headed to the lake, and I found out it was a child. “Buck you ready for this?” I asked him, “I am ready” Buck said he was my best diver, and I knew that water was cold. Buck was ready in his diving gear as we arrived, “how long as he been down?” I asked the father, “I am not sure 5 or so minutes, he slipped, and I wasn’t fast enough” the man said. “We will get him Buck” I said as he jumped into the water, he was attached to a line and within seconds he was tugging on it, we pulled both out. Cass and Khloe set to work as they tried to revive the boy, it was hard to watch, “I have a pulse” Khloe said and we all felt relief washing over us. They took him to the hospital, and we went back to the station. “Damn he was what like 6?” Buck said, “looked like it same age as Harlow” I said. “She is fine Jack” Buck said, “I knew that it wasn’t her that I worried about most of the time it was Luca. He was just fighting me in so many ways, and I knew he was beginning to be a handful for my mom.
The night was quiet as we had two more calls, and it was finally time for me to leave. I had about five minutes before my children were dropped off. I unlocked my door, sat on the couch, and closed my eyes. After a few moments, Harlow greeted me with a hug, while Luca went upstairs and closed his door forcefully. “He is upset,” Harlow noted. “I gathered that. Go unpack,” I instructed her as she went upstairs. “He stayed in his room all night and hasn’t spoken,” my mother mentioned. “Thanks, Mom. Back to work on Monday,” I replied. She suggested, “Jack, I don’t mind taking care of Harlow, but Luca might benefit from some independence.” “Mom, I will consider it one day, but not for extended periods,” I responded. “Okay, just think about it,” she said before leaving.
I felt uncertain about allowing him to be on his own due to concerns about his behavior and potential influence from his friends. The thought of possible incidents made me hesitant to grant him more freedom. I decided to discuss this with him after a shower, hoping to address and understand his feelings better.
