Page 59 of Set My Soul Ablaze

I sighed. “See. You’re not about to ruin my home life.”

“How would I ruin your life? What we do ain’t got nothing to do with you or Mali.”

“Men are so dumb. Let me break it down for you since you’re so inexperienced. Joylei is Mali’s best friend. You work with Mali’s man. If you break Joylei’s heart, Flame here is going to have to move out the city.”

“Now wait a minute. How I get booted out of the station? Probie should be the one to go since he’s new here.”

“Hey, I don’t make the rules.” Juliet shrugged.

“Flame, can I speak with you in my office?” Cap asked as he walked by the lounge area.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“See, Cap already finna have him pack his bags. So long, farewell, until we meet again, my friend,” Juliet sang.

The crew heckled at me as I stood up and followed him to his office. He closed the door, and we sat at his desk.

“What’s up, Cap?”

“How are you doing?” he asked.

I raised an eyebrow. “I’m good. How are you?”

“I’ve had better days, but I’m blessed. The reason I want to speak with you is that it’s getting time I choose someone to take on the title of captain when I retire.”

“Retire? Don’t tell me you’re tired of the 143.”

“I breathe, sweat, and bleed 143, but a couple of months ago, they diagnosed me with lung cancer. I’ve been goingthrough aggressive treatments, but my body is tired of hiding and fighting alone. I want to attack the cancer full on without worrying about the family I have here. I want to make sure I have someone I trust holding the reins of the place I’ve given almost forty years to.”

Captain broke down everything to me as I listened intently. I wouldn’t lie and say I never thought about becoming captain, but I really wasn’t expecting it to come to me like this.

“I don’t know what to say, Cap.” I replied honestly.

“You don’t have to give me a definite answer yet, but soon. This job isn’t easy. You have the entire station depending on you, and there is a lot of paperwork involved. I’ve watched you become one of the strongest leaders in the crew. You take care of everyone. You show up when needed. You have had such amazing character development since you joined my station.”

“Alright, old man. You’re trying to make me cry?” I asked as I clasped my hands together and shook my head.

It was a lot happening too fast. I felt like I had whiplash from the number of things he dropped on me. Captain Moore was not only a role model but a father figure to me. I wanted him to be a grandfather to my future kids and stand beside me at my wedding. To hear he was going through such a scary experience alone, without the support of his fire family, broke my heart. I wanted to be there for him in his toughest moments. I wanted to ease his workload so he could fight the cancer full force.

“I want you to give me your choice at the start of the month. It will take a while to get things moving, but I already have the support of the fire chief and higher-ups.”

I blinked. “You do?”

He nodded. “What do you think I’ve been doing these last couple of months? I’ve been setting a foundation for a smooth transition of power.”

“Wow, Cap. You really fucked me up with this one.”

“I see your potential, Flame. You will be a great leader to the 143 and all future firefighters who step foot into this station.”

“Thank you.”

We stood up, and he shook my hand.

“You’re going to do great things, Flame.”

“You are too, Cap. Trust you’ve got an army of family ready to fight this cancer with you.”

“What’s all of this?” Mali asked as she walked into the house and followed the trail of roses to the living room.