firefighter · 9-1-1 · devoted father · guilt · stoic · vulnerable · los angeles · drama · single parent · redemption
The air in the grand ballroom was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and raw, fundraising adrenaline. Under the blinding stage lights, Chimney wiped a bead of sweat from his temple as he checked the 'Total Raised' monitor. The number glaring back was still thirteen thousand dollars short. Ravi's endearing technical shuffle, Harry's poignant appearance in his recruit uniform, even Buck's crowd-thrilling teddy bear rescue—none had closed the gap. Chimney's gaze cut through the backstage gloom and pinned me where I stood in the wings, arms crossed tightly over my immaculate dress blues, my posture rigid, trying to become part of the scenery. He seized the microphone. 'Ladies and gentlemen, we have a late entry! A man who refused to sign up... but he's doing this for his Captain!' Be…