For a Hero Read online

  “Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy. Let’s go somewhere; I need to do be outdoors. I was thinking we would go mountain-climbing tonight.”

  “Blaine, remember what the doctor said? You have no business scaling cliffs.”

  “Ehh. It’s a little cliff and my back is fine. Besides, what does that doctor know? He went to A&M. He probably couldn’t spell contusion, much less diagnose it.”

  “How did you even do that to your back anyway? Wait, I don’t want to know. You’d be safer here. I have an extra tool belt. Help me grout the tile in the bathroom.”

  “My secrets are my own. Stop acting like such a hayseed. I’m not one of your projects, David. I don’t need to be rescued.”

  “That’s debatable.” David tossed Blaine a leather tool belt from his seat.

  “No, no, no. I need to get out of the city for a while, and you need the exercise.”

  David threw a tape-measure at his friend’s face. “Calling me fat, City-Boy? I’ll knock you out right here.”

  “Besides the doughy-ness around your mid-section, you need to exercise to get that body ready for the Holiday Fantasy Date next weekend.” He caught the tape-measure without flinching and let it fall to the ground.

  “There is no way you are going to make me get up in front of all those people and take my clothes off. I will make an absolute fool of myself. Plus there is always some old woman with too much money that tries to buy me and imprison me in her condominium.”

  “Come on, Boyscout.” Blaine sits next to his friend on the long couch and wraps his arm around David’s neck. “You can’t deprive the women of Austin from that God-like physique of yours.”

  With a punch to the arm, David replies, “God-like? I was doughy a second ago.”

  “You are whatever gets you to that auction.”

  “Thanks, Dracula. Your honesty and respect touch my heart.”

  “I know. Now let’s get some rich socialite to touch that . . .” Blaine points toward David’s lap only to have his hand swatted away.

  “Nope. I am not going to do it.”

  “Have you ever heard the expression ‘ace in the hole’? Here is the thing; it’s for charity, many charities in fact.” David gives a long, defeated, knowing sigh. “Each bachelor will be donating his price to a charity of their choosing. And you, my dearest friend, are already signed up. Your picture is even in this fancy little brochure I had distributed through Austin and San Antonio yesterday. Half of your proceeds are going to your beloved fire hall and the other half to Austin Home for Orphaned Boys. I know your weaknesses.” Blaine seals his news with a wink.

  “Dammit.”

  “I know. Let’s go climb that mountain.”

  Chapter Two

  “Get your damn hand off that rope. It’s secured in the clasp on the buttress and wrapped around my hip for belay. David, I swear, I am going to beat the shit out of you.”

  “I know you can do it yourself, Big Man. No reason to risk it, though. You know as well as I do that the more pressure on the rope, the more secure you are.” David had the anchor line from Blaine’s rope wound tight in his hand. Their bodies were now several hundred feet above the waves of Lake Travis. Dots of canoes and water skis danced beneath them adding a faint summer buzz to the ambience. The blue of the sky enhanced the emerald of the forested hills, but the pinkish brown earthiness of the cliff consumed them. Blaine, in black, and David, in red drew the outline of the rock with themselves, reaching for the peak.

  “It’s called a cordelette. Speaking of how obnoxiously wholesome you are, have you picked out a thong to wear to the fantasy date?”

  An uncharacteristically beastly growl emanated from David’s chest. “I’m not wearing a damn thong. I still can’t believe you signed me up for that. And you used charity, how low.”

  “We all have a weakness, Pal. Clip me out.”

  “No, why?”

  “I’m going to dyno.”

  “You shouldn’t even be climbing at all. The doctor would hang me out to dry if he knew I let you do this. There is no way I am going to let you leap up this rock.”

  “Let’s make a deal. If I make it, you buy yourself a thong and stop complaining about the date, if I fall horribly to my imminent death below, you don’t have to go.”

  Before David could respond, Blaine kicked both feet down into the stone, propelling himself upward. With one hand outstretched high above him, he grabbed at the face of the corner.

  He slipped.

  Dust and chipped stone broke away in his fingernails and gravity stole him. He shot downward. Instinctively, David’s palm contracted. His arm and back locked in place. The rope stopped. Blaine fell but only 3 short feet below David. With panic, David flung his body round to look down at his friend. Blaine reclined in the harness, arms behind his head, swinging with the wind. The trademark smirk plastered across his mouth exaggeratedly.

  “You knew I’d catch you, didn’t you?”

  “Oh no, Boyscout,” the facetiousness dripped thickly from his voice. “You are my hero. As a matter of fact, you saved my life. I didn’t die. I guess that means I need to buy you a thong and get you a ride. I’m thinking blue with a bright red “D” on your dick.”

  “D for David, right?”

  “Of course not.”

  *****

  The two Adonic men stepped together out of the aptly red doors of “Le Rouge” with two small, frilly burgundy bags that contained scraps of fabric much too small to please David. He liked his underwear to be manly and conservative, not something a Chippendale dancer would wear.

  “I am going to take so many pictures. My Christmas cards for the next decade will be a picture of your jolly stocking and mistletoe berries.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up. I gave my cousin ten thousand dollars of my money that I was going to donate to charity anyway so she could bid on me. I’m not going to let you sell me to one of those Cougars.”

  “Don’t be silly, those Cougars are the ones that pay for your bright red trucks, those fashionable yellow suits, and that silver pole you love sliding down so much. Come to think of it, you are going to be a natural out there tonight. They might even have a pole for you. Which cousin?”

  “Sara. Thank God for family.” David rolled his eyes as Blaine pressed the little button on the key to his Ferrari, causing both his and David’s door to fold open.

  “Sara is a bombshell. Those perfect breasts underneath that flowing blonde hair drive me crazy. If I had known she was coming, I would have reserved her a seat at my table.”

  “I’m sure your harem of social-climbers would charm her, Blaine. By the way, she is family so there will be no driving each other anywhere. Especially not crazy.”

  “She isn’t REALLY family,” Blaine pulled out onto I-35 and accelerated up the feeder. “She is the niece of your adopted mother. She may be close enough to protect you from the piranhas at the auction, but she is definitely distant enough to go on one simple, harmless date with me.”

  “I don’t think so. I’m not sure you can handle her anyway. She’s pretty tough. Where are you taking me by the way?” Blaine’s black sports car weaved through traffic heading north on the interstate.

  “Challenge accepted. I have an important meeting this evening. I know you need to be at the fire hall for that dinner thingy, right? I won’t let you miss it. I’ll have you know I am driving a full 3.4 miles out of my way to drop you off at the bus stop so you can be taken there. You’re welcome.”

  “Thank you, Blaine. I am so happy that, as a friend, you are willing to stop at a bus station for me. You are going to keep these frilly, purple bags here with you. I am not riding public transportation with a banana hammock in a girly bag.”

  The sleek black automobile soothed to a halt under the Capital City Metro sign. “Tell Sara I say ‘Hello.’” With a wink and a salute, Blaine sped off, leaving David at the whim of the city.

  *****

  Jenna held her effects tightly. The bus system in Austi
n was very nice, relatively, and convenient for a girl in a new city all by her lonesome. The first day in the new office was as nice as she expected it to be. She would eventually make friends with the people there, in fact, a girl offered to take her out for drinks tonight to welcome her to the town. No matter how nice it was, she still suffered over her promotion. Maybe she would be happy one day, but dang-it, she had earned the right to bitch about it for a little while.

  She reached into her purse and pulled out the letter she received in the mail that morning. Maggie sent her a Hallmark card. Wow, she was so sweet. She pulled it from the envelope for the twentieth time today. The front of the card read “You’re on my mind so I decided to send you a hunk.” She opened it to reveal a very muscular, very naked fireman wearing nothing but his red hat. “Sex on Fire” by the Kings of Leon began to play and the caption read, “a hunk-a, hunk-a burning love!” Underneath the fire hose was a personal message to Jenna written in pen. “Hey Girl, miss you already! Scoop you up a hot one! The good ones are worth waiting for, I promise! With love, Maggie.”

  The sentiment touched Jenna. Margaret had not given up on her. She gazed at the man. He was built, but there was no use getting excited about it. He wasn’t real. Real men don’t look like that. The only men who look like that are gay or criminals. Still, it would be nice. To be touched and held by a man with strong arms. To feel protected and safe, cherished by someone who could slay dragons for you if need be, something bigger than yourself. Her biting of her own lip snapped her back to reality. She folded the card and put it back into her purse.

  Jenna looked up and out the windows. The city screeched by. She didn’t know it yet. She wouldn’t be sure she was close to home until she could see the tall building her apartment was in. It wasn’t quite dark yet, but the city was settling down. Austin came alive at night, she was told. Art, culture, and politics all had their place in the heart of the Lone Star State. Many people refuse to leave Austin once they visit and fall in love with it. Perhaps, one day, Jenna would feel the same way.

  At that thought, a bustle of people shook the bus about as it slowed to a stop. Many strangers entered and among them, a man. It took Jenna a few seconds to realize what she was looking at. He was a REAL man. He must be 6’4” with shoulders as broad as a barn. A red t-shirt stretched across pecs and abs so perfectly defined that she had the urge to draw them. His jaw was herculean. His eyes were small, but wide and loving and a beautiful blue that could light up a darkened heart. She could see joy and love in them, as well as power and security. But there was something amiss about him. He looked angry. Jenna followed his gaze and found the source of his contempt. A slender little business man sat in the back of the bus talking on the phone. He was reclined and his possessions were so spread out that he was taking up three seats. There were women standing all around him, including one elderly lady. Wonder Boy there couldn’t be mad about not having a seat, could he? Was he angry that the other guy was not letting the women sit down?

  Jenna shook her head and glanced at her hands folded in her lap. Probably not, that would be too good to be true. There were no men like that. Her excuse for a friend, Ben, was nice, but he would never become offended over the mistreatment of women, he was kind of a little bitch himself. Mr. McBride actually seemed like the kind of guy who would sit on the bus and take a lady’s spot. She must be mistaken. She must be reading the situation all wrong. The heroic looking man glaring at the little dweeb couldn’t be gorgeous AND sweet, could he?

  Just then, a man behind Wonder Boy got up and moved toward the front of the bus. The handsome stranger tapped the elderly lady on the shoulder, stretched his arm toward the open seat and smiled. He guided her to the chair and eased her descent. After a pat, he returned to standing sentry over the asshole on the phone. Jenna wondered if he intended to say something when he hung up. She imagined his mom had taught him all of the manners.

  Jenna watched him standing there with his arms crossed, and she realized something. She was attracted to him. It was a feeling she had never felt before. Curiosity. About a man. She wanted to know more about him; she was drawn to him. Butterflies fluttered around inside her belly. She felt like a school girl. Is this what she had been missing out on? Stealing glances at him, Jenna felt sick with attraction, and giddy with emotion.

  The bus slowed again and the doors folded open. People filed off onto the street. Asshole stood up, still talking on the phone. He tried to get by Wonder Boy but Gorgeous didn’t budge. He wouldn’t even allow him an inch. Jenna smiled to herself. Justice.

  Unable to get off at the stop, the man realized that he had missed his destination. The bus continued its long journey south on Lamar.

  “What the fuck was that about, Buddy?” The asshole sounded obstinate. The spoiled kind of rich kid. He was probably a legacy in a fraternity and his dad gave him everything he ever wanted. “You made me miss my fucking stop! I’m going to be late because of your dumb ass!”

  “Sorry, Sir.” The sultry voice of her Wonder Boy filled the bus. “I didn’t see you there. If I had known you were there, surely I would have let you pass, but unfortunately, I was distracted by all the poor ladies on the bus that couldn’t sit down. You see, there was this asshole on the phone taking up 3 seats in the back.” A low level of applause and validation began to grow in the air around them.

  “Why, you Son-of-a-Bitch.” The asshole leaned back and threw a hard right hook at the nose of Wonder Boy. Jenna watched the events unfold and could not believe what she saw. Her angel was five inches taller than the other guy, seventy pounds heavier, he could destroy him, but instead, he stepped to the side.

  The punch skimmed harmlessly to the left of Wonder Boy’s face. He instantly curled his arm toward the flying fist, wrapping his fingers around the little man’s elbow. Within a second, he pulled, causing the speed and momentum of the asshole’s attack to bring his face down, introducing it quickly, and painfully, to the rubber floor of the bus. Blood erupted from his nostrils and cheers and laughter filled the vehicle.

  The bus driver clicked on his intercom and said, “Hey Rocky, get up here. What the hell are you doing? Fighting on a bus? Shit.” Jenna’s heart was beating a mile a minute as her angel walked by her to the cockpit of the vehicle.

  ‘Funny,’ she thought. ‘He doesn’t look very remorseful. Wow, his ass fills those jeans nicely.’

  The driver had Wonder Boy stand by the door, like he was in time-out, until he pulled in at the next bus stop. As the bus came to a complete stop and the doors opened, several of the people shambled outside. The bus began to empty and Jenna looked down. She didn’t want her angel to know she had been staring at him, and with nobody else on the bus, it would be hard for her to blend in. However, the few other passengers made it easier. As they stepped off the bus, they stopped by Wonder Boy, shook his hand, patted his back and said nice things like “thank you.”

  After the last passenger had departed, the driver turned to the angel with the most disappointed glare. As his eyes settled on him, his solemn expression broke into a laugh. “Chief!! It’s you! Of course you did something like that, you big softie.”

  “You haven’t been talking to Blaine again, have you?” The ‘Chief’ answered with a smile.

  “No, that hyena only gets on the bus when he rides with you. He’s too important for us normal folk, you know.” ‘Chief’ patted the bus driver on the back.

  “Yeah, I know. It’s good to see you, Charles. I need to get down to the fire station, though. I’ve got a brisket cooking for the boys tonight.”

  “Chief, now don’t you know I’ve heard good things about that brisket of yours? You better get gone before I wise up and come with ya!”

  “You are always welcome, Charles. Please come by. I’ll save you a slice or two.” And with a handshake, Jenna watched her angel fly away. She thought to herself that maybe she could fall in love with this town after all.

  *****

  “Hank, I told you EXACTLY how to pr
epare the meat.” David flipped the brisket in the smoker. The sizzle of the meat let him know the temperature was perfect.

  “I didn’t think it mattered, Boss. You told me what to put on the meat and how much.” Hank spoke, half-listening. He leaned on the wall near David. Hank was a good man. He was kind of rambunctious and a little on the playful side of immature, but a good man. His eyes sparkled an emerald green when he smiled mischievously, as he so often did.

  “Yes, Hank, and I also told you in what order you needed to put them on. You put the Tony’s first, then the granulated garlic, and THEN the black pepper. The pepper is strong, it needs to go last, and you ALWAYS rub the seasonings into the meat before you cook it.” David was the strong, silent father of the fire department. He didn’t come out of his shell too often unless he was teaching somebody something.

  “Yes, Sir, Boss. I’ll do it better next time.” The canned response from Hank did not go unnoticed by David. But he was so jovial, so excited, that he couldn’t be angry at him.

  Hank liked David. They weren’t super close; David was Hank’s boss, after all. There was a strong mutual respect; they both did their jobs well. David had an innate desire to rescue people and Hank was utterly fearless. They didn’t talk much, but the silence was filled with honor and knowing.

  Hank had seen David be jovial before. When his friend came by, the one who wore black all the time, he was like a different man. A kid. Full of life and youth and vigor. How did they get that way? Hank wouldn’t mind connecting to someone like that. Scott was a nice kid, maybe he could hang out with him. He knew David had few friends but great ones. Hank had a million friends but none of them quite so great.

  With a Fireman’s Four blonde ale turned up to his lips, Hank proclaimed, “No worries, Boss. It’ll be delicious. Lighten up! We heard you were going to be in the Fantasy Date and all your profits are coming to us! We should celebrate!”

  David appreciated the zeal, but resented the reference. “I wish I could escape from that for just one night.”