Chapter 68

Then she turned to Taren. "Please. Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I haven't seen you since high school. So, how've you been?
"Okay, but I can't stay long." Taren perched on the edge of a chair. "I hope you don't mind me coming by, but I was worried and just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"No, I'm glad you did," Kiki replied. "When did you become a firefighter?"
Taren smiled, relaxing a bit. "Shortly after high school. I worked my way up and I'm a captain now."
Kiki looked into his eyes and smiled. "I'm happy for you." She bit her lower lip and then slowly released it. "Taren, thank you so much for saving my life. I can't thank you enough." Kiki laughed. "Your mother won't believe it when she finds out that you were the one who carried me out last night."
A crease formed between his eyes. "How do you know my mother?"
"Evelyn?"
Taren nodded.
"I volunteer at the Children's Home. In fact, I went there last night- before the fire. Then I went home and started a fire." She let out a deep breath and leaned back against the pillow. "I think I may have forgotten to put the fire screen back and I accidently fell asleep."
Taren's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "From what I saw, it looked as if the Christmas tree caught fire, maybe from a short in the Christmas lights."
"Really?" Kiki's eyebrows rose almost into her hairline. "You mean, I didn't set my house on fire?"
Taren laughed. "Well, it's still under investigation and we won't know the true cause of the fire for certain until after the investigation is complete. But I'll be sure to let you know as soon as it's final."
"Please do." Kiki smiled. "Here I thought that when I start a fire, I really start a fire."
Taren chuckled, realizing just how much he had missed Kiki over the years. They had study hall together in high school and, when they got bored, had masterminded more than a few pranks on Mrs. Li, their teacher. He chuckled at the thought. "So, do you still do your art?"
"I haven't painted in years," Kiki replied.
A crease formed between his eyes. "Why not? I always loved your paintings."
Kiki shrugged. "Life happened." She leaned back against the pillow. "I started working and just never had the time."
"Do you think it's something you'd want to pick up again in the future?" Taren asked, intrigued. He couldn't help but wonder how she went from Emo chick to this beautiful woman that she was now. But he pushed the thought aside, not wanting to offend her. "By the way, I have your cat."
"Prissy? You found her?" Kiki's eyes widened. "I was so worried-."
"Well, I think she was the one who found me," Taren corrected. "We had just finished putting out the fire when she came out to the rubble and started mewing. I think she was worried and looking for you."
"Oh, poor thing!" Kiki exclaimed. "I bet she's hungry. I need to get out of here-."
"Oh, no you don't." Taren pushed her shoulders gently back onto the bed. "I took her to the fire station and the guys are taking care of her."
"Really?" Kiki's eyes widened.
Taren smiled at her expression. "I think the guys will have her so spoiled by the time you get out that that they won't want to give her back."
"Not a chance," Kiki teased. "Prissy and I have been through thick and thin together- and now fire and ice, too."
"Of that, I have no doubt." Taren laughed and then his face grew serious. "When will you be able to leave?"
Kiki shook her head. "I'm not sure yet, but I'll probably know by tomorrow." Then it hit her that it was Christmas morning and he was still there. "Taren, it's Christmas morning and you need to be with your family."
A smile lit his lips. "Well, I had to come by to make sure you were okay. And I'm glad I did." Taren stood, smiling. "I'll come by tomorrow to check on you, if that's okay."
"Sure," Kiki replied. "I mean- I should still be here."
Taren was about to leave, but had to ask, "Kiki, do you have any family in town?"
She shook her head. "Nope. My parents moved to California and I'm an only child."
"So am I." Taren nodded thoughtfully, an idea already forming. "Well, I'll be by to see you tomorrow. You take care."
Kiki sighed and leaned back against the pillow. Taren could tell that the ordeal had taken its toll on her. "You, too." Then her lips curled into a cocky grin. "And tell Abby not to beat you too badly at Chess."
Taren laughed. "You played my daughter?"
She nodded. "Last night- at the Children's Home. She could make you a fortune, if you let her play people for money. No one would ever believe that someone that young could be that good."
Taren laughed. "You're probably right. I know she keeps me on my toes."
She yawned. "Well, I think I'm going to get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." He smiled, already looking forward to it. As he was walked down the hallway toward the elevator, he told himself that he couldn't get involved... but his heart obviously had a mind of its own.
***
Taren was tired, but glad to be home. Luckily, Abby was still asleep when he walked in that morning.
"Good morning." His mother greeted him at the door with a cup of coffee, fixed just the way he liked it.
"Good morning." He took a sip of his coffee and swallowed, and then sat down in the family room where a fire was already blazing. "Thank you."
Evelyn sat down on the couch beside him. "Rough night?"
He nodded. Although he didn't want to go into detail, there was no harm in telling her a little. "I believe I met someone you know."
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. "Oh? Who might that be?"
Taren sighed. "Kiki Long."