Do your job and I'll do mine

He sat on the plush, sage green couch and closed his eyes momentarily. He reflected on the past two hours. As far as his friends knew, he was on his way back from a family funeral. they weren't expecting him for another week. The drive was intended to help him clear his head. Driving was therapeutic for him. He would crank the radio as loud as he could stand it (which was pretty loud). He would roll all the windows down and bask in the fresh air that he just couldn't really get back home. There was a sweet scent in the country that he found refreshing.

"Would you like some coffee", he heard. He opened his eyes to see Avery standing there. He knew she was in pain but her face had a renewed vigor about it. She was still in her uniform pants and boots. Her white tank was partially blocked from view by his mediocre bandage job on her shoulder. She held a large steaming mug. He nodded gratefully and began to get up. She dropped her hand to his shoulder, "Don't get up sugar, I got it. You're a guest here and my grandmomma would skin me if she knew I was making you serve yourself. Just sit tight." Southern hospitality was abundant in this area. He certainly wasn't used to it. It was unique. Following her into the kitchen, he watched her bustle about, starting to feel at home himself.

There was a calm silence between the two. "You certainly seem at home in the kitchen." The words flowed out of him before he could actually consider what he was saying. His face flushed red and she stopped in her tracks. Cutting her eyes at him, she was almost glaring. "Oh my god, that so did not come outnhowni meant for it to." She just laughed. "Didn't meant to scare you. It's ok. I feel most at home in the kitchen. I love to cook so I spared no expense in here. Since you'll be here a few days, you'll get to experience my culinary skills. You can go back west and brag about how you had some southern soul food." He relaxed a bit and chuckled with her. She handed him the mug. He cautiously sipped the concoction.

"How did you know how to make it? This is perfect. Better that the chain coffee shops at home." She grinned a mile wide. "I guessed." She also shrugged her shoulders. Wincing in pain, she turned quickly, hoping he wouldn't see. Johnny grew a little concerned, "Are you sure you're ok?" She nodded. "I'll live. Excuse me a moment, I have a few calls to make. Please make yourself at home." She walked off. He stood in the kitchen of the strange yet inviting house by himself.

She nudged the door closed and grabbed her still-charging phone on her bedside table. She noted three missed calls, a half dozen voicemails, and four texts. She definitely had some explaining to do. Starting with dispatch, she calmly explained what happened, begged them to call off the calvary and convinced them to cancel the ambulance that was standing by. Her partner of four years, Sam, was next. This was going to be a tough call.

He yelled for a full minute before she could even say "hello". He belittled her for forgetting her training. "Excuse me! Have you even been to the scene? If you had, you'd know that my radio is ruined. You that area doesn't have great cell service. You if I could have, I would've called you. Wanna check on me? Come to the house." She hung up the phone extremely frustrated. She hummed the phone across the room and it his the door with a hollow thud. Then she heard a knock.

"Come in". Johnny opened the door. He paused as he stepped inside. The phone was almost stepped on. "Um, I was gonna ask to borrow your phone. I don't have any service out here. I need to check I with my friends and put a call in to my insurance agent." "Yeah, sorry. Go ahead. I'll give you some privacy." "Oh, I don't mind. You might need to stay. Maybe the guys know something we don't. I haven't spoken to them in a few days. Who knows what has happened since then." She thought it was highly unlikely but she sat with him in the edge of the bed anyways. It was worth a shot.

Notes