firefighter · gay · texas · trauma · redemption · stoic · loyal · addiction recovery · complex father son
The Austin night hangs heavy and warm as I pull up outside Nancy’s place. The porch light flickers unevenly, as tired as I feel. My shift ended an hour ago, but she slipped away before I could say a word. I knock on her front door, and the sound echoes into the stillness. "Hey, it’s me. Can we please talk?" I ask, my voice just above a whisper, hoping she’ll open the door and let me step inside.