Page 32 of Playing With Fire
“Alright, let’s tighten this up!” she called, clapping her hands to draw everyone’s attention. “Masie, you’re still favoring your right side on the hose advance. Center your stance or you’ll end up flat on your ass when the water kicks in.”
Masie, a rookie barely six months in, flushed but nodded, quickly adjusting her posture. Cass nodded back, hiding her smile. She saw potential in the kid, even if she tripped over her own boots sometimes. It was moments like these that remindedher of herself, back when Becky Thompson had stood in her place.
Becky. The thought of her old mentor brought a swell of bittersweet nostalgia. Becky had been a force of nature, a leader who had somehow managed to inspire and intimidate in equal measure. Cass still remembered the first time Becky had barked at her for a sloppy ladder climb during training. She’d been mortified, but it had driven her to work harder, to prove herself.
And now, here she was, passing on the same lessons. Cass’s leadership style was different—less barking, more guiding—but the core values were the same. Accountability. Teamwork. Pride in the badge.
“Alright, let’s take five,” Cass said, waving the group toward the break area. As the team dispersed, she caught sight of Masie lingering by the truck, clearly stewing over her earlier critique. Cass approached her, leaning casually against the rig.
“Hey, Masie, you’re doing good work out there,” she said, her tone softer now. “But you’ve gotta trust your body to do the job. It’s not just about strength; it’s about balance and instinct. You’ll get there.”
Masie looked up, her expression a mix of relief and determination. “Thanks, Cap. I’ll keep working on it.”
Cass nodded, clapping her on the shoulder. “Good. That’s all I ask.”
She watched Masie join the others, a quiet sense of pride settling over her. Mentoring wasn’t just about teaching skills; it was about building confidence and helping people see their potential. Becky had done that for her, and now it was her turn to do it for others.
The sound of boots on the bay floor drew her attention, and she turned to see Hallie approaching. Her co-captain and closest friend, Hallie, had been by her side through the station’s toughest years.
“You’re getting soft, Cap,” Hallie teased, jerking her thumb toward Masie. “Becky would’ve chewed her out until she couldn’t tell left from right.”
Cass smirked. “Yeah, well, Becky also threw coffee mugs when she was mad. I think we can modernize a little.”
Hallie chuckled. “Fair point. Still, you’ve got a way with them. These rookies would run through fire for you.”
Cass shook her head, the praise making her a little uncomfortable. “They’d do it for the team, not for me. That’s what matters.”
Hallie studied her for a moment, her expression softening. “You’ve built something special here, Cass. Don’t downplay it.”
Cass didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she glanced around the bay, taking in the sight of her team joking and laughing as they hydrated and prepped for the next drill. It wasn’t just a job to her; it was family. And she’d do anything to protect them.
The sound of a familiar ringtone cut through the background noise, and Cass pulled her phone from her pocket. It was Becky, calling from yet another exotic location. She grinned, answering with a playful, “Shouldn’t you be off sipping wine in Tuscany or something?”
Becky’s warm laugh came through the line. “I’ll have you know I’m in Scotland this week. Whiskey, not wine.”
“Living the dream, huh?” Cass leaned against the truck, already feeling the comfort of her mentor’s voice.
Becky’s tone turned knowing. “And how’s life in Phoenix Ridge? Keeping those rookies in line?”
“Trying to,” Cass said with a chuckle. “They’re a good group. Reminds me of us back in the day.”
“Poor souls,” Becky quipped, then added more seriously, “You’re doing good work, Cass. I hear nothing but praise about you and your team.”
Cass hesitated, the weight of those words settling on her. “Thanks, Becky. That means a lot.”
“It should,” Becky said firmly. “You’ve earned it. And don’t forget—you’ve got a life outside that station too. Don’t let the job swallow you whole.”
Cass glanced toward the break area, where her team was starting to reassemble for the next drill. Becky’s advice stayed with her, a reminder of the balance she was still learning to maintain. She had the job, yes, but she also had Evelyn, their dog Smokey, and the little world they’d built together.
After hanging up with Becky, Cass straightened and called out, “Alright, break’s over! Let’s see if Mia can keep her balance this time.”
The team groaned and laughed as they fell into formation, ready for the next challenge. Cass watched them with a mix of pride and gratitude, knowing that the legacy she’d been entrusted with was in good hands. And as she stepped back into the rhythm of her day, she felt the unshakable certainty that she was exactly where she was meant to be.
The sun was dipping low on the horizon, painting the Phoenix Ridge skyline in hues of orange, pink, and gold. Cass leaned back in her rocking chair on the porch, her boots propped up on the rail. Smokey, their perpetually sleepy rescue dog, was sprawled at her feet, his tail twitching lazily as he dreamed. Beside her, Evelyn sat with a glass of wine in hand, the soft light catching the streaks of silver in her hair.
Their house, perched just outside the bustle of the town, was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of crickets and the whisper of the wind through the trees. It was a far cry from the chaos thathad once dominated their lives, but neither of them missed the noise.
“How was your meeting today?” Cass asked, breaking the comfortable silence. She glanced sideways at Evelyn, who was absently swirling her wine.