Chapter Seventeen (You And I)

Previously, on "Heat":
Ch. 16 (Disarm)
-Joseph and Marley were able to interview their first witness.
-His name was Alexander, and he was able to identify the
suspects as two men in a black SUV. 
-They also learned that the dead victim was Alexander's 
brother, and he's been getting threats.
-That same day, Laslo was informed of the dead victim,
to his disappointment. 
-He ordered his subordinates to take care of any witnesses,
and to find out who the dead victim is.
-If Laslo's cover is blown, he could face multiple charges,
including homicide.
-This could destroy his firm.
-Hannah came in to his office, reminding him of their dinner plans.
-She's his daughter.



Location: 2110 Edgewood Road
Date: Sunday, 11/6/2011
Time: 1:11 p.m.

As Joseph enters the bedroom, he's greeted by the delicate scent of potpourri lingering in the  air, a scent he always associates with the haven he shares with his wife. Despite his feet aching from wearing rubber boots all morning and evening, this inconvenience slowly fades away at the sight of Sarah sitting up in bed in a tanktop and pajama bottoms, with a surprised smile on her face. The incandescent glow of the lamps wash over the whole room, softening the already buttery walls, enhancing the plushness of the maroon duvet, giving the white pillows a cloud-like quality and more importantly, bringing out the liquid sapphire in Sarah's blue eyes. 

"Joe!" She gasps, nearly dropping her book on her lap, her eyes sparkling at the sight of him quietly coming in. Normally she'd be asleep by now when he has to stay over at the station, so he is just as surprised to see her up. "What are you doing home?"

"It's been a long day," He says as he takes his boots off and leave it by the foot of the bed, too tired to walk across the room where the closet is. Especially now that the warm covers are calling his name. His sweaty feet long to be free from the confines of tube socks, just anxious to touch the freshly washed cotton sheets.

As much as he loves his job, he could never really get used to the twin size beds sprawled next to each other at the fire station. That, and having to sleep next to half a dozen people, who are mostly men. Men who snore. And fart. In their sleep. Even when Joseph finally manages to doze off, it can quickly become interrupted by the deafening sound of the alarm---which is the most distressing thing to wake up to. 



After ridding himself of his uniform, he joins Sarah in bed, wrapped up in his favorite silk robe, a luxury he's been waiting all night for. He lets out a deep, all-body groan as he sinks into the softness of the bed, slowly stretching out his bare feet as they rub back and forth on the duvet. He can feel every single bone in his toes stretch and crack in bliss as they wriggle around in freedom, savoring the cool air. When he finally settles down, he turns to his wife and asks, "How was your day, sweetheart?"

"I'm good, cleaned the house for a bit then just caught up on some reading." She places the book on the nightstand before looking at him appreciatively. If there's one thing she savors more than anything in this world, it's quality time with her beloved husband. The firefighter's life, no matter how noble it is, doesn't follow the standard nine to five, Monday to Friday job. They work in 24 hour rotating shifts, which average to 10 days a month. In Joseph's district, they do two day, 12 hour shifts with a day off between rotations. The staff can choose the daytime or nighttime shift, as long as there's always someone on standby. However, fire captains have more responsibility and they work beyond the normal hours, even during their days off. "I thought you were spending the night at the station."

"I was going to," He leans in to kiss her softly. "But I've missed you all day."

"Awww, I missed you too, baby." As if one kiss wasn't enough, she leans in to taste his lips again, leaving both of them breathless and smiling coyly at each other. "How did the meetings go?"

Joseph gladly fills her in on the new developments, including the vague descriptions of the two suspects and black SUV they were spotted in, the dead victim being Alexander's brother and the fact that he and Marley searched the database all night for matches of the vehicle ---without luck. Despite Sarah's concerns, she assures her husband that he'll put things together. He usually does.

To help alleviate his dwindling mood, she changes the subject by asking, "Did you have a good time with the boys?"

"I sure did, we needed it.  You will not believe what I found out."

First, he starts with Hannah, the new girl that Nate went on a date with. This gives Sarah a slight sense of relief since she always believed Nate could do better than Jessica.  She seemed too much of a party girl for Sarah's liking, and with Nate's already rowdy personality, she just didn't see anything good that could come out of that relationship. This new Hannah girl sounds promising, especially the way she seems to bring out Nate's gentlemanly side---a.k.a. keeping his hands to himself. But the only surefire way of sizing out this new girl's character is by meeting her. A mother's instinct is usually right, especially when it comes to her boys.

Next on the plate is Jamie, Jake's "friend". At least that's what he keeps referring to her as, but his foolish smile and twinkling eyes say something otherwise, especially when he talks about her. It was unanimously decided at Eugi's that Jake has a crush on his "friend", despite his blatant denial and overly defensive reaction to their teasing. Sarah chuckles, picturing this scene in her head, knowing how shy her little Jakey is. She's confident that she has garnered enough fear in him to not bring skanks home---unless he wants to suffer his mother's wrath (or dirty looks). 

The last girl Jake brought home was Audrey, his girlfriend in college, and Sarah loved her. She was a good student and a soccer player, just like him. Unfortunately, she moved across the country after graduation---new job---and she became a distant memory. Now that Sarah thinks about it, Luke and Jake had a knack for picking quality girls, but Nate seems to have...veered off course.

But the highlight of the day was Luke. Joseph definitely saved him for last, knowing his situation with Lyn and Brad got even more complicated. Letting out a deep breath, Joseph sits up straight and shakes his head, giving Sarah an 'oh boy' look. "And Luke...where do I start?"

"Oh dear...what's going on with him?" Sarah's eyes widen as she scoots even closer to her husband, bracing herself. "He never did tell me about his trip to Appaloosa."

"Before I tell you," Joseph takes her hand and squeezes it. "You know what I miss?"

"What, baby?"

"I miss dancing with you."



"You are definitely full of surprises tonight." Sarah smiles as his fingers lock with hers while her other hand rests on his firm shoulder---as they sway gently side-to-side. A soft sigh escapes her lips as she closes her eyes, taking in Joseph's scent---a mixture of aftershave, Irish Spring and pine. Whenever he's away and she misses him, all she needs to do is put on his robe and it's as if he himself is wrapping her up in his arms until she falls asleep.

"Here we are, on earth together, it's you and I." Gazing into her eyes, he starts singing "You And I" by Stevie Wonder to her---his voice soft, raw and drenched in tenderness.

"Oh, Joe! Our wedding song..." Overcome with memories and emotions, she can hardly breathe. She can still remember it like it was yesterday, when she stood in front of her family and friends in a simple ivory tunic dress, in front of this man, who wore a black tux. It was the early 80's, she was  23 and he was 25. They just graduated from college, jobs were scarce, the economy was bad, but there was one thing they were sure of: they loved each other. And that's all they really needed to know.

"God has made us fall in love it's true." He continues, his forehead touching hers. "I really found someone like you."

They dance in silence, holding each other tight, as if Joseph is singing the rest of the song in his head, and she listens to every single word, while burying her face on his chest.

"I only pray that I have 
Shown you a brighter day
Because that's all that
I am living for, you see 
Don't worry what 
Happens to me"

"So what happened with Luke?" Sarah asks after opening her eyes and looking up at him, slowly waking up from the stillness---and spell of their emotional connection.

"He finally admitted that he's in love with Lyn. He kept this to himself for two years since she was with Brad. Did you know this girl is smart? She finished med school and half her residency in two years."

"Oh, I didn't know that. So she's going to be a doctor?"

"It sure looks like it."



Joseph fills her in on how Brad messed everything up, her miscarriage and catching him cheating on her the next day---with her sister---all because he thought she and Luke were sleeping together. And had it not been for Lyn running off to Appaloosa, she might have killed herself. It suddenly dawns on Sarah that's she's been completely wrong about Lyn. She's nothing like Natalie or any of the loose girls Brad gets involved with. In fact, Sarah's heart breaks for her. Now, more than ever, she wants to meet this mysterious girl that captured her oldest son's heart. 

"And she's all alone in Appaloosa?" She asks, feeling a pang of maternal worry and hoping Lyn is okay.

"Yes. That's why Luke went to go see her the first time," Joseph explains, "To bring her dog back. In fact, he's there right now. We finally convinced him to come out with his feelings."

"Oh, good! I really hope she feels the same way. Poor darlings, they've both been terribly hurt. They deserve to be happy."

"I hope so too," Joseph nods as he caresses her face, overcome by a wave of nostalgia as flashbacks of their youth resurface. Financially, he didn't have much to offer in their early days, but he always showered her with his love and attention: stolen kisses in the kitchen, slow dancing to their favorite Stevie Wonder song, long walks in the park, star gazing at the beach, love letters, random road trips and endless talks---about everything and anything. In the days when they had nothing but each other, they knew that no matter what happened, they would be happy. "Remember the days when we were broke? Luke was just a baby, you weren't working and I just started out at the station."

"Gosh, I remember. We lived in that tiny one bedroom apartment off of Embarcadero Drive. I remember having to go to the food bank and taking hand-me-downs for Luke. "

"You made the most of it, though. You always stood by my side, even when we struggled."

"Of course, why wouldn't I? I love you, Joe," Sarah mutters, searching his hazel eyes. The eyes that take her breath away, even to this day. "We have three beautiful sons together. I couldn't ask for anything more."

"I love you too, Sarah." His breath quickens at the sudden heat of desire growing in his loins. Pressing his body against hers, his hand travels down her plump cheek, squeezing it. Leaning closer, he whispers, "You're everything to me," before his mouth crashes into hers. This desperate need to make love to his wife has never been more apparent---until now.

"Cause' in my mind,
You will stay here always 
In love, you and I 
You and I
You and I"

*Copyright 2013 Lyn C.S.* -------------------------------

"You And I" by Stevie Wonder
Video by: kcamowje

Chapter Sixteen (Disarm)

Previously, on "Heat":
Ch. 15 (Overjoyed)
-The Rossi men had a boys' night out at Eugi's.
-Joseph's reign as McShuffleboard king climbed to 22 wins.
-Over beer, Nate shared the details of his date with Hannah,
Jake gushed over Jamie and Luke finally admitted that he's
 in love with Lyn.
-This did not come as a surprise to anyone but Luke.
-Luke revealed that he slept with Natalie, but
that chapter is finally closed.
-He admitted to being a witness to the horrid abuse that
Brad went through as a child.
-Luke opened up about what really happened to Lyn and why
he remained friends with Brad after all those years.
-Following Joseph's advice and his brothers' encouragement, Luke
finally mustered up the courage to tell Lyn how he feels.
-That same day, he drove to Appaloosa Plains.
-When he knocked on her door, she didn't answer.
-His intuition told him to go to Hangman's Tree.



Location: Bridgeport Community Fire Department
Date: Saturday, 11/05/2011
Time: 5:10 p.m.

Not too long after Luke left Eugi's, Joseph received a call a phone call from the surviving victim. He left his information with the hospital staff with hopes of hearing from the victim upon release, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon. Leaving Nate and Jake at Eugi's, Joseph rushed to the fire station to change and notify Marley of the news. "Thank you for coming here at such short notice, Alexander," Joseph smiles at the fair-haired, blue-eyed fellow before he turns to his colleague. "This is Marley, our lead investigator."

"Nice to meet you, Alexander." Marley gives him an appreciative nod.

"It's no problem at all. Nice to meet you too, sir. "

"How are you feeling, son?" Joseph asks as he discreetly studies their first witness. He looks to be around Nate's age, but his blonde locks could easily let him pass as Jake's brother, while emanating a calm demeanor present in Luke.  The subtle wrinkles on his gray slacks and  earthy colored dress shirt may be the last thing he wore before the fire. Joseph's heart breaks, knowing he won't have a home to come home to tonight.

"Drained. My lungs hurt." Alexander flashes a disarming smile at the firemen in his presence, hoping to ease their concerns, but his weary eyes carry an unspoken burden, bordering on anguish. It's something beyond the mental and physical aftermath of a traumatic event. It's a sort of emptiness, and Joseph can't quite figure out what it is. But he can sense it. "Other than that, just glad they didn't have to keep me too long."



"I'm glad to hear that." Joseph leans back in his chair in an attempt to focus on the meeting, and not the mysterious inner workings of the young man in front of him. "My son Jake is happy to know that you made it."

"I'm very grateful to him, sir. He saved my life."

"We need you to tell us everything that you remember before and during the fire," Joseph cuts to the heart of the matter, being fully aware that their time is limited. He knows Alexander should be at home recuperating. "Where were you? What did you see?" 

"Gosh, let me think..." Alexander pauses for a moment, his steel-blue eyes shifting, as if the memories are mere flies on the wall, just waiting for their moment to be of use. "I just came home from work so I went upstairs to change. This was around 3:15, 3:20 maybe. I usually don't get home til after five, but I left early. Then I heard a crash, like someone just threw a brick at the window downstairs. Then an explosion. I thought the stove blew up or something. By the time I tried to rush downstairs to see what happened, the living room was on fire and it got really smoky. So I went back upstairs. Then more bricks and more explosions. That's why I was trapped. I didn't have time to escape."

Marley gives Joe a fleeting glance, his eyes sparkling, knowing that this particular lead is closely aligned with what they have proposed---and discovered so far. "Did you see anybody outside?"

"Um...not while I was inside the house, no. I was too scared to go near a window. But when I finally got to the balcony, I did see a car take off."

"What did it look like?" Marley asks, quickly taking notes.

"It all happened so fast, it's hard to tell."

"Take your time, son." Joseph assures, having dealt with many victims in his life, knowing the importance of compassion and patience over pursuit of information. Even Luke fell apart in front of his own father, and he has been trained to handle difficult situations. "I know it's a lot to take in."



"It looked like two men," Alexander continues after searching his thoughts quietly, "The car looked like a black SUV...a Tofunda Wagon maybe? Probably 2009 or 2010."

"You didn't happen to catch the license plate number, did you?" Marley scans through his notes, periodically crossing out a few lines and adding new ones. "Or maybe a bumper sticker or flag? Anything that we can spot." 

"I remember the rear bumper having a white playboy bunny logo and the license plate said 'Boss'."

"Good. At least we'll know what to look for. Whoever owns that car must think highly of himself...and the ladies." Marley's sarcastic comment causes a ripple of chuckles in the room, bringing a lightheartedness into an otherwise serious meeting. Taking advantage of this moment, he continues, "We have reason to believe that the house you've living in is a target, along with two other properties. We didn't find any bricks, but pieces of a bottle bomb in your living room. This is what they threw at the windows and what may have caused the fire to accelerate so fast. The perimeter of the foundation and siding also had traces of gasoline."

Alexander's eyes widen in surprise. 

"Can you think of a reason why someone would want to burn your house like this?" Joseph asks.

"My brother has been getting these threats lately but he never called the cops. He wouldn't tell me anything."

The word "threat" prompts Marley to put his notebook down and scan Alexander's face in urgency. "Where's your brother? We need to speak to him." 

"He didn't make it..."

"Disarm you 
With a smile
And leave you like 
They left me here
To wither in denial
The bitterness of one 
Who's left alone
Ooh, the years burn"



Location: Pruit Realty, Inc.
Time: 5:35 p.m.

"What? What do you mean dead?" Laslo's eyebrows bunch up in exasperation as he stares at the clock, knowing he shouldn't have answered his cell phone. This is the Saturday that he reserved for the special woman in his life---despite the 70+ hours he puts in every week---just to maintain his six figure commission every month. With just a high school diploma under his belt, Laslo learned 20 years ago that real estate is about sales skills and knowing your competition---if you ever want to survive in this cutthroat field. The wholesome, honest approach wasn't enough to support his wife and daughter.

"We just found out today." 

"First, you tell me there were victims. Now you tell me one of them's dead??" He can feel his blood boil as it slowly travels to his brain, giving him a throbbing migraine at his temples. He just had a private meeting about this, reminding these two men that he didn't want victims involved. Goddamn it! I should have just done it myself! It's bad enough that an arson case has already been opened with Joseph Rossi closely following their trail. If this comes back to Laslo, it will jeopardize the firm again---and he could face multiple charges, including homicide. "Who is it? Is it Vincent?"

"We don't know yet. We didn't expect anyone to be home yesterday."

"I hired you because you're a professional. I expected you to have the knowledge and common sense to carry out my request. Did I make a mistake?"

"No, Mr. Pruit."

"I used to be
A little boy
So old in my shoes
And what I choose 
Is my voice"



"Were there any witnesses?" Laslo tries to retain a shred of hope. Even if evidence of arson is found, it's very difficult to pinpoint a suspect, let alone charge someone, if there are no witnesses. In situations where a physical property is a target of crime, suspects usually wait until there are no witnesses present to carry out their plan. 

"There was someone on the balcony when we left but I don't think he saw us."

"You think or you know? You better know." If there's one thing he has no patience for, it's lack of follow-through. He despises it in his employees, and he certainly despises it in people whom he's counting on to do the dirty work for him---especially when he pays them a significant amount of money. Wishy-washiness doesn't close deals, keep a business running, destroy the competition or garner respect (fear, preferably, in his case). 

"I'm pretty sure."

"I don't care how you do your job, just do it right," Laslo lowers his voice as soon as the door opens, especially when she enters. Shit. She's here. He forgot to tell her he was running late. "Make sure it doesn't come back to me."

"Yes, sir."

"I gotta go. You better find out if it's Vincent." Smiling and motioning for her to come closer, he whispers on the phone, "And take care of this mess."

"Yes, sir."



The sight of his girl's beautiful face, framed with rich mahogany hair, brightens his mood--- temporarily helping him forget larger problems at hand. Had it not been for Hannah, his greed should have landed him in prison years ago with the onslaught of embezzlement and tax evasion charges. This fear of losing Hannah forced him to invest in expensive lawyers, leading to the dismissal of all charges, and a clean trail for his firm.

Her presence seems to be the only thing that kept him from spiralling completely into a life of crime, especially after his wife left and took nearly a quarter of his income for child support. Smiling, he pulls her close and whispers, "Hello pumpkin."

"Hi, daddy!" Hannah's ocean blue eyes glisten in excitement as the faint aroma of cigarettes and Old Spice linger on her nose, a trait that she always associates with her father.

"Sorry, I was just finishing up a contract. Ready for dinner?"

"Yes, I'm starving."

"What's a boy 
Supposed to do?
The killer in me
Is the killer in you
My love"

*Copyright 2013 Lyn C.S.*
------------------------------------------------------------------

"Disarm" by The Smashing Pumpkins
Video by: SmashingPumpkinsVEVO

Chapter Fifteen (Overjoyed)

Previously, on "Heat":
Ch. 14 (Wonderwall)
-Joseph divulged to the crew that one victim passed away from
lung collapse and heart failure.
-Luke was devastated, he was sure the man he carried in his
arms survived.
-Joseph also suspected the use of bottle bombs due to the
pieces of glass and kerosene-soaked cloth that he found on site.
-He believed that the perpetrators were crying for attention
due to their decision to carry out the arson in broad daylight.
-After the meeting, Joseph shared the story about Lily with Luke
to help his son cope with the loss of a victim.
-He assured Luke that sometimes one life must be sacrificed
to save others, and to not blame himself.
-While working out, Luke tells Austin about the "mystery girl".
-Austin accused Luke of being in love with Lyn and urged him
not to wait too long.

*Strong language*



Location: Eugi's 
Date: Saturday, 11/05/2011
Time: 2:25 p.m.

Luke hasn't been able to stop thinking about Austin's wise words since he drove home to take a shower and change.  Don't wait too long. Just sayin'.  It was hard enough to admit to another human being that he's in love with Lyn. But to actually act on it? The last time he did anything remotely close to "acting" on his feelings was when he was there for Lyn at her old apartment with Brad. They were having problems, and she had no one else to talk to. Despite their attempts to avoid each other for two years, they found their mouths crashing hungrily into each other, on her couch. Luke can still feel the very same wave of shivers that ran down his crotch at the taste of her soft lips, causing his heart to flip over and forget how to beat. It was as if time itself stopped to watch this moment, and all he knew was this feeling of falling helplessly into the spiral of her own liquid brown eyes---while watching fragments of reason try to frantically crawl out of this sinkhole of forbidden desire.  

Not even the aroma of pungent cigarettes, frozen chicken wings being dumped into the hot fryer and escaped alcohol molecules lazily filling the sports bar can take Luke's mind away from that vivid but somewhat tragic event. That was the catalyst to the series of nightmares in Lyn's life.  

As if fate refuses to have the last word, someone decides to play one of Luke's favorite songs on the jukebox.  

"Over time, I've been
Building my castle of love
Just for two
Though you never knew 
You were my reason
I've gone much too far
For you now to say
That I've got to throw 
My castle away"

He hasn't heard this ballad in ages. Or more like...he avoided it because it reminded him of Lyn too much.  She really has no idea that she was his reason and that he would get somewhat emotional at the lyrics, as it describes the frustration he feels.  If she only knew how he truly feels about her.  If she only knew how many times he wanted to just hop in his truck and show up at her door, but he didn't want to intrude on her life---or worse yet, find another man there. Shaking off these thoughts, Luke tries to remember that he's here to be with his dad and brothers, and it's a much needed time for bonding, especially after such a grueling weekend. As he gets ready to grab the puck, he yells, "Hey Nate!"

"What?" Nate asks as he stands behind Joseph, waiting for his turn.

Wiggling his eyebrows, Luke smiles. "Tonight's the night."

A wicked grin forms on Nate's mouth as he asks, "For what? You're getting lucky?" 

Just as the puck slips straight into the pocket of the McShuffleboard, Luke declares, "No, perv! I'm ending dad's streak!"

"Hah!" Joe shakes his head and laughs, as if he just heard something absurd. He's the McShuffleboard king, and none of his sons can ever beat him. If they do, it's because he lets them win to save their fragile egos.

"No way, dude!" Nate points at Joseph. "Dad hasn't lost in 17 matches."

"Alright, if I lose, I'll buy everyone a round." Luke looks over at Joseph and smirks. "If I win, dad buys."

 "In that case, Luke, I'll have a Corona." Nate teases.

"Me too!" Jake joins in.

Narrowing his eyes, Luke points at Jake and mutters, "Shut up, Chilly Willy!" 

"Hah! Chilly Willy." Nate chuckles.



"Awww, yeahhhh! Tied now." Luke does a fist pump as he sinks another puck into the pocket. There's one minute left, so it's sudden death.  Whoever scores first wins. He might finally get to beat the McShuffleboard king! "Dad, you should get the waitress. I'm ready for my free beer."

"Sure. Let me get her." Joseph plants his feet comfortably in front of the McShuffleboard and starts doing his routine. He shakes his arms to loosen up. He pops his neck. He rolls up his sleeves. In other words, he's done taking it easy on them. Now it's time to kick some serious ass. A dark-haired waitress carrying a tray full of empty beer mugs passes by. Waving his hand to get her attention, he asks, "Excuse me, miss?"

"Can I get your anything, sir?" She asks as she walks over to him, smiling.

"See this puck?" Joseph motions for her to come closer until she's right beside him.

"Yes." She replies, staring intently at the puck resting on the shiny plastic surface, before returning to his face, with somewhat intrigued eyes.

"As soon as it goes in, can you get four Coronas and an empty platter please?" Briefly looking over at Luke, Joseph blows on the puck for luck before placing it back on the board.

"What do you need an empty platter for?" She asks, holding the tray even closer to her midsection.

"So I can hand the bill and his ass back to him." Joseph grins, pointing at Luke. Bam. The puck slams inside the pocket just as the clock hits 00:00. 

"Whaaat??" Luke's jaw drop to the floor, not even knowing what just hit him.

"Oh, snap!" Nate's eyes turn into saucers as his father's streak increases to 18-0.

"Hey Luke!" Jake yells.

"What?"

"My free Corona better be ice cold. And don't forget the lime wedge."

"Shut it!"



After another round of McShuffleboard in which Joseph clearly dominated, his sons decided they've had enough ass-whooping for one night. Their dad's streak is now at 22.  A group of college students were waiting to play, so the Rossi men moved over to a booth to finish their beers. They rehashed yesterday's dispatch for a bit, recalling how intense the fire was---how lucky Luke and Jake were to be able to walk out unharmed.  There were moments of silence as they kept the dead victim in their thoughts, temporarily swarmed in melancholy, which even the briskness of the beer couldn't wash away. To lighten the mood, Nate bravely divulged about his date with Hannah, admitting that he was a gentleman all evening.  Hannah ended the night by giving him a soft peck on the cheek before they separately headed to their cars.  He definitely needed to see her again, and to his delight, she felt the same way.

This revelation led to Jake's analysis of his night at the festival with Jamie.  He couldn't really call it a date since they're just friends, and he's perfectly content with that.  He tried not to gush about her, but the words slipped before he could even think, calling her 'smart', 'pretty' and 'funny'.  He would get this far away look in his eyes when he describes how he can be himself around her. Naturally, his brothers would tease him, deriving a sick pleasure in watching his cheeks turn crimson, chanting, 'Jakey likes Jamie!'

Despite Luke's participation in torturing Jake, he can't help but sympathize with his baby brother.  He's been fighting his own battles when it comes to Lyn.  There was something about hearing Stevie Wonder's song tonight that just...struck a very sensitive cord in Luke's heart.  It's almost as if the universe is trying to tell him something, and it refuses to be ignored.  It's a nagging feeling at the pit of his stomach, as if something is not right, and if he doesn't speak up about it, he'll explode. Carefully looking at his brothers and dad, he casually mentions, "I had a really interesting conversation with Austin earlier. When we were working out."

"What about? The victims?" Joseph asks.

"No...actually, about Lyn. He thinks I'm in love with her."

"He may be on to something," Jake comments.

"What do you mean? You all think that?"

"Well, duh.  You've stayed away from each other for two years because she was with Brad. But you always talk about her. And you haven't done that since Natalie." At the mere mention of Natalie's name, Jake freezes and warily searches Luke's face. "Oh...my bad, bro." 

"It's alright. She actually came by the apartment last night."

"No way." Nate turns to his older brother as his eyes and ears perk up. "What happened?"

"Well...I finally confronted her about everything. I was a freaking mess. She kept saying she was sorry and that she made the biggest mistake of her life." Luke sighs, pondering how much he should divulge to his brothers and dad---about what really happened. He can talk to them about anything, but he wonders if he should reveal the part where he put his hand on his ex. He already feels ashamed as it is.  He can feel their eyes on him, anticipating what he's going to say next, and all he can do is look down at the table. "And we..."

"No way, dude." Nate says in disbelief, knowing Luke hasn't wanted anything to do with Natalie in the last four years.  He even told Nate that if he ever ran into her in public, to pretend she doesn't exist.

"Yeah," Luke whispers, feeling embarrassed for even sleeping with the woman that once held his heart in her hands. But if that's what it took to wash away the emotional residues she left behind, so be it.

"Wait, does that mean you're back with Natalie?" Jake asks.

"No. In fact, I'm really over her."



"Gosh, I remember when you first broke up with her. You couldn't get out of bed for a whole week! You were a mess, Luke." Jake gives his oldest brother a sympathetic smile as his eyes light up with flashbacks of days gone by. "And you didn't speak to Brad for a whole year."

"I was done with him. But J.C. called me, saying Brad's been drinking again and he got in an accident. He was in an induced coma for a whole week. I swear, I must have done some fucked up shit to Brad in a past life because I just can't walk away." Luke absentmindedly traces the red and white patterns of the table cloth with his index finger. The memories of the past converge with the reality of the present, taking him back to Austin's analysis of the situation. "Austin thinks it's fair game now since Brad cheated on Lyn. And slept with Natalie."

"He makes a good point. Honestly, Luke, I don't know how you can stay friends with Brad," Nate observes.

"There are just some things a kid should never see."

"What do you mean, son?" Joseph sits up, looking concerned.

"Remember that day when you called the cops on Mr. Clemens? When I told you what happened to Brad and J.C.?"

"Yeah," Joseph nods.

"Well, I didn't hear it from Brad.  I was actually there," Luke confesses. He never talked about this with anyone until now, and especially not with his father.  A pang of guilt briefly overtakes him as the lump in his throat expands, making it difficult for him to swallow. He's been holding on to this painful memory all of his life, but the time has come to shed light on the truth. Looking down at the table, he continues, "I was at his house right before that and I saw everything. His dad just busted into his room, all drunk. Dragged him on the floor, asking why he hasn't made dinner yet. We were doing our homework and he just dragged that poor boy like he was some animal."

The memories become too vivid for Luke, and his heart swells in pain. His voice cracks, breaking the levy of tears that he's tried hard to suppress. "All...I could hear was...Brad screaming...'no, please no!' I ran into the kitchen...and Mr. Clemens was beating...Brad's face....with a frying pan. There was blood everywhere. Then J.C. tried to step in...and he got beat too. The screams in the house...I couldn't take it anymore. So I ran back home."

Silence.

"I should have protected him," Luke straightens up as he wipes his face with his hands, painfully aware of their eyes on him, and he can literally hear their hearts breaking. Shit, this is the second time I cried today. What is wrong with me? But this isn't the first time his dad and brothers have seen him like this.  They have all seen each other like this, in these moments of vulnerability, and they have been there for each other.  That's one thing the Rossi men have always learned to count on. Showing emotions is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it is the opposite.  It is the ultimate sign of inner strength. Sarah instilled this in Joseph, and he tried to teach this trait to his own sons. "I just left them there like that. I was too scared to try and stop their dad."

"Jesus Christ, Luke! You were only 10!" Nate's voice finally cuts through the heavy silence.

"Yeah...but so was Brad. And J.C. was only seven, like Jake." Luke shakes his head. "They didn't deserve that." 

"Son, listen to me," Joseph leans forward in Luke's direction and looks him straight in his swollen eyes. "You are right. Brad and J.C. didn't deserve any of that. But you and Lyn didn't deserve to get hurt by him either."

"I know..."

"Now I'm going to ask you this and you better tell me the damn truth." There's an honesty and demand in Joseph's voice that is hard to ignore.

"What is it?" 

"Are you in love with Lyn?"

"Over hearts, I have painfully
Turned every stone
Just to find, I had found 
What I've searched to discover
I've come much too far
For me now to find
The love that I've sought
Can never be mine"



It's one thing for Austin to call him out, but for his own father to ask this very same question---the man who knows him better than he knows himself---makes Luke feel like an unsuspecting deer caught in the headlights.  If he says no, they'll know he's lying.  If he reduces his feelings to a fond friendship, they won't buy it.  You don't kiss a woman that's merely a friend---nor does she cause a rift between the long-standing friendship of two men. Luke can taste the finality of this safe path he's teetered on, where Lyn is the road and he's simply the sidewalk that humbly accompanies it. Softly, he admits, "Yes...I've been in love with her since the moment our eyes met."

"Jesus Christ," Nate exclaims in awe. "And you held that in this long?"

"Pretty much, until a few months ago when she was still with Brad. They were having problems, so I was there for her. We started kissing. I stopped before it went too far. I told her that if she was with me, she would never have to resort to another man. I would be too busy loving her and making sure she was happy." Even at that moment, Luke knew the time wasn't right to make his feelings known, but it slipped anyway in frustration---a sort of careful morsel of his heart that fell on the ground, waiting to see if she noticed. She noticed alright...but she didn't pick it up. She simply stared at it with a fierce hunger in her eyes, immobilized by her commitment to another man. 

Luke adds, "But it just didn't feel right. She wanted to make things work with Brad. Apparently, he heard everything and we got into an argument. He thought we were sleeping together. It was a mess. That night she had a miscarriage but Brad didn't know she was pregnant. The next morning, she caught him with her sister on their bed. I guess that was his way of getting back at Lyn. He got her back alright, enough to make her get in a cab and head to the bridge. She was going to jump. But she changed her mind and took off to Appaloosa instead. She wanted to get as far away from Brad as possible." 

"Oh, man. Poor girl," Jake sighs, his eyes blankly immersed in the filigree pattern on the wall behind Luke, lost in shock. "I didn't know she went through all that. How did you know she was in Appaloosa?" 

"How's this for irony? Brad called me a few weeks later, sounding all upset. So I went over his place and he told me they broke up. I felt bad for him until the part where he told me he screwed her sister. And he made it seem like Lyn pushed him to it. I lost it. I beat him up and forced him to write down Lyn's address. He couldn't even leave her well enough alone."

"Was this the night before your trip?" Joseph asks.

"Yup. God, she was a mess. We were at the lake and I was holding her while she was screaming at the top of her lungs, crying. She was so angry. The pain in her voice...just killed me inside. She really thought he was the one. After that, it became too hard to be around her. She wanted me to make love to her that night but I couldn't. Even though I wanted to. God, I wanted to. But not like that. I knew she was too vulnerable. And that's why I came back early. I knew that if I didn't, we probably would have ended up doing something we would regret."

"What?! She gave you the green light and you turned her down?" Nate's voice becomes animated as his eyes light up, completely stunned by this revelation. "Duude! What the hell is wrong with you?" 

"Well, Dad told me to be a friend. And I had to keep my promise."

"I'm proud of you, son. I'm glad you respected her enough to keep your self-control. She needed time to heal." Joseph pauses as his face contorts from the angle of his own thoughts, until they gather to form a bold, but missing premise. "But you never really told her how you feel."

"What do you mean?"

"Brad's not in the picture anymore." Joseph searches Luke's eyes, hoping to extract enough conviction to stir his son into action. "Do you want to be with her?" 

"Yes. I do," Luke whispers with such desperation and longing, almost clutching for the words, hoping they'll hover around to keep him company. "God, I do."

"So what are you waiting for, Luke?" Joseph smiles, feeling a gush of oxygen escape his lungs, savoring this precious moment as he watches the love shine from his son's eyes. It is the exact same love and need he feels for Sarah, and if there's anything worth fighting for, it's the love of a good woman. "Go over there and tell her how you feel! She might feel the same way." 

"Now?"

"Yes. Now. You deserve to be happy too. Go back home and pack."Joseph follows Jake's swift movements as they slide out of the booth. He doesn't want to give Luke any time to think. As his oldest son peels his rear end off the rounded seat, Joseph adds, "You might end up staying a few days. We'll cover for you."

Grinning, Nate pats Luke's back. "Go get your girl, Luke!" 

"Get her, bro!" Jake yells as his oldest brother heads towards the exit.



By the time Luke approaches the bridge, the windshield becomes bombarded by heavy water droplets, forcing him to turn on his wiper at maximum speed.  Prematurely putting his headlights on to see better, a flash of lightning blinks in the gray skies, followed by a deep rumble---calling out to a fog that overtakes the whole city. He briefly glances at the red gym bag that he stuffed with clothes, along with toiletries, as he makes his way to Lyn.  He's been down this road before, when he took Nikki back to her, but this time, it's a different urgency. 

He tries to call Lyn on her cellphone, but it goes straight to her voicemail.  Strange. She usually picks up. Then again, he got so caught up with Natalie last night that he forgot to call her back.

Despite his dad and brothers' encouragement, he can feel his hands shaking as he grips the steering wheel.  A strange rhythm takes over his quickening heartbeat, slowly cascading down to the pit of his stomach, wrenching away at his insides.  This is similar to responding to a fire dispatch as he flies through every street corner in the firetruck, sirens blasting away anything and everything in its path.  The unknown destruction, the fear of being too late, and worse yet---the massive possibility of failure.

Love---just like firefighting, has its risks---and rewards. 



Location: 1012 Pomona Promenade
Time: 5:11 p.m.

As he passed through downtown Appaloosa, all of the traces of rain disappeared.  There's not one cloud in the clear, blue sky. Even the water droplets on the windshield have completely dried off.  As Luke parks his orange truck in front of Lyn's house, he takes a deep breath, temporarily overcome by memories of his visit last time. Home. He smiles as he examines the front of the Cape Cod style ranch house, looking so cozy and inviting, and for a moment he imagines his life here with her---having intimate conversations on the porch, as he massages her feet. He can see the blissful look on her face as she sips ice cold lemonade, watching the sunset---while the kids play outside....

The sight of Lyn's truck parked next to the garage indicates that she's home, but it makes Luke wonder why she hasn't been answering his calls. Is she upset because he didn't call her back last night? Panic temporarily takes over his thoughts as he considers the possibility that his presence might not be welcome.  He's at a crossroad.  If he leaves now, he may never get the courage to tell her how he feels.  If he stays, he might set himself up for a rejection that he may not completely fully recover from. But you never really told her how you feel, his father's words continue to echo in his mind.  Joseph is right.  Lyn has no idea how Luke really feels, how deep his feelings run---and the gravity of his desire for her.  

After ringing the doorbell several times, there is no answer.  Where could she be? Luke's instinct is to break through the glass door to check on her, to make sure she's okay---but a voice stops him. Go to Hangman's Tree. Hurry.



"And though the odds
 Say improbable
What do they know?
For in romance
All true love needs
Is a chance
And maybe with a chance 
You will find
You too like I
Overjoyed, over loved
Over you"

*Copyright 2013 Lyn C.S.* --------------------------------

Author's Note: Ch. 41 (Drive) and Ch. 43 (So Close) from "Memoirs Of A City Girl" covers Luke's return to Appaloosa.

"Overjoyed" by Stevie Wonder
Video by: maria siena