Fire in the Firehouse 13

The young man continued. "Dad, I need to level with you. Mitch isn't just my room mate." He paused, looking on at the older of the five men present. He could begin to sense, even without powers of his own his Dad was catching on. He swallowed hard, hoping the words would come out right. "Dad, I discovered months ago I'm gay. And well, it was with Mitch. He and I are madly in love." He wanted to continue, but the words failed him. He felt it better to see what might come next.

Nick stayed frozen, almost. He took a deep breath, processed the revelation and spoke. "Well, this is certainly a surprise." All four young men wondered what was next. Nick stared at Mitch. Then he gazed upon Drake, wondering if he were gay, too. Cole stayed motionless as did Mitch.

Drake spoke up, "Well Dad, might as well be honest. I'm gay, too. And Cole there is my lover." He was hoping his words might take the heat off his life long friend. Hoping it'd not add to the situation. Mitch was a bit miffed, but he saw Drake's take on things.

Nick paused again. He knew too much silence might scare the guys. He spoke. "Well, son, or sons as it seems to be." He laughed to brake the tension. "It makes me wonder, what was in the water when you two were kids." He stopped there. The others weren't sure how to take this. He sensed it and broke out laughing which in turn allowed the four younger men to relax and laugh it off. He laughed more out of feeling uncomfortable and somewhat blindsided.

Then he spoke again. "Look, I need to be honest, this is a lot to process. My son and even his best friend are both gay. I think maybe we need to finish our dinners and go our separate ways for the night." Nothing more was said at the table. It became quite awkward. Nick seemed to handle the news as good as could be expected, but other than that, he was emotionless and that scared Colby. Would this end his relationship with his Dad? Would the older man turn his own son away?

A while later the check came and Nick made no real attempt at first to pay the entire bill. All four men saw this and, without speaking, having looked upon another made motion to dig out some cash. Nick saw this, hesitated and spoke, "I'll cover it." His comment was without feeling. None of the men could sense if he was bothered by what he had learned or what. They tried to insist they put their part in, but Nick refused.

Back in the elegant home shared by Marie and Nick, the drunken woman was out on the balcony. The air had changed drastically. She was out absorbing the new air. It was comforting and soothing after being so hot so long. Marie was dancing around to some soft music coming from her room. 

Suddenly, as the vindictive woman stopped to stare at the sky, in the far distance she heard an enormous rumble of thunder and the most impressive flash of lightning she'd ever seen. She stopped to see if there'd be more. A few moments passed. Another rumble hit, this one closer than the last. More time went by and another rumble back around the presumed area of the first hit. And another massive flash. The weather was really shifting. 

All throughout the Sierras people were coming outside to see what the commotion was. Some thought it might be an explosion, others thought they were under attack from foreign enemies. The sounds were far more intense than even this area was used to. Children were frightened and cuddled close to loved ones. 

By this point Marie had been joined by those on staff that remained for the night. Marie let all anger and inhibitions go. She felt the need for comfort from familiar people. The sounds and flashes were scaring her and thousands of other people. The maid even turned the TV on as she entered Marie's room. Ordinarily such things would annoy Marie, but she was barely aware of the action. She also realized it made sense to see and hear what was happening.

The news was saying that a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect and, though not common for this region, there was even a small potential for tornadic activity. There were a small few that panicked and ran to town or down the street as it were, to purchase supplies. There was some slight chaos, but the surrounding areas braced for the worst. 

A small part of Marie wished Nick was home. But upon reflecting what had happened prior, she pushed that thought out of her head. She muttered to herself and wasn't heard due to a rumble of thunder, "Fuck that asshole and his faggot son. Maybe I'll get lucky and this storm will take care of them for me." She was sinister beyond even words.

Naturally the noise had drawn the attention of the patrons inside the casinos, too. Nick and the four men, bill paid had started to say bye, but the storm drew them all outside. They stood, all five of them in close proximity. People stood at their windows in their motels and hotels. Everyone, everywhere was doing exactly what you shouldn't do in a storm like this. Some had even run down to the lake and got on it via boats, jet skis and so on, just to watch the storm's approach. It was close to 12:30 at this point, but the storm had awakened many and brought most everyone out of the structures to see what was happening. 

Soon the police all over were going around on their P.A.s warning people of the nature of the storm and to get inside now. Some listened, naturally many ignored the advice. Even Colby, his Dad and the others ignored it as the heavy action had ceased for close to ten minutes. Everyone looked skyward still, wondering if they'd see more. Some had gone inside, others discussed what they'd seen.

Marie was still outside, as was the staff along with her. Though most loathed her, it was a situation you forget your feelings and gather close. And back at the casino, Nick and the others looked on, but about to say good-bye. Nick spoke, "Well, yeah... You take care son." He was cold and uncomforting to his son's needs. He was about to speak once again, in an attempt to say good-bye properly.

All of a sudden another round began. The first was subdued a bit, but out of nowhere a flash of lightning hit so long, so wide spread and so bright and a rumble of thunder that seemed to spilt time in half occurred. That caused Nick to stop speaking as his and all other's attention went back skyward. 

As everyone stood, visibly shaken, many scurrying back inside, fearing the worst, Nick looked at his son. "Son, I need to get going..." His words froze there. Colby wanted to ask him to come home with them, but the words wouldn't come. 

Finally he spoke, "Dad, just stay here tonight. We're gunna get going. We might not really be speaking much, but I need you to be safe. I need at least one parent, and that leaves only you." Nick looked on his son. He saw a man where there'd not too long ago had been a boy. He felt warmth surge through his body. He was proud of him. But conflict still ragged inside him. Colby leaned in to hug his Dad and to tell him they'd talk later. 

"Attention all available fire personnel...We have a major fire underway." This wasn't how calls usually went out. There were proper ways of saying things. Codes, numbers and such. Mitch and Colby both rationalized that this must not be a normal fire if proper fire etiquette was being over looked.

"We've no time for formalities. This is extremely serious," the message continued. "We need you to all report to your local stations and prepare for further instructions. Apparently a few small fires had already occurred, this last lightning bolt spread so far and wide, many small fires were started and with the wind in the valleys, it has grown massively."

People standing by heard this. Mitch and Colby stood frozen. They saw people run in fear and panic and word began spreading as fast as the fire. They both felt empty and cold inside. Never before had they heard so much instruction over their pagers. This was not proper procedure. They knew they had good reason to be afraid.

Colby looked at Mitch. "Well, I need to go. You catch a lift home with Drake and Cole." Mitch was colder inside than before. The harsh reality setting in was closing in fast and furiously. Mitch tried to remind his lover he was off work to take care of him, but he knew that was selfish. He was just one man, but every little bit helped. Calls were already going out to many neighboring firehouses and some not so close by.

Mitch looked at Colby as his Dad looked on. "I love you Colby. Be careful out there. We have that wedding to plan." Colby smiled. His man called it a wedding and not a handfasting ceremony. He felt compassion take root inside. He'd longed to hear it called a wedding.

Colby responded, "I love you. I'll be fine. Pray for me. And I'll be careful." He looked to Drake and Cole. "You two keep an eye on him. I want him healed when I get home. And something tells me this is going to be a while before I am." He hugged all three men and then his Dad who hugged back saying nothing. He was at a loss for words.

Nick saw his son openly affectionate with his lover. He knew things would never be the same. But he thought, maybe in time things will get better. Colby sprinted away, heading for his truck. He knew he'd need to stop for some coffee. He was pretty much wiped before this. Now, God only knew how long he'd be up.

Just as he reached his truck, his Dad called out, "I love you son!" He looked back, waved and got in his truck. He knew the roads would be a mess with panicking people scurrying any which way out they could find. 

As he drove out the parking lot, the others stood there watching him go. The four men all felt empty. Nick, Drake and Mitch most felt the loss. They wondered if they'd ever see him again. 

***To be continued*** Part 14 will see the fire grow and the drama spread as fast as the fire.