Crossing Lines
“Good evening, Melissa. Is Janine home?” Gregory Eddie asked, standing in the hallway.
“Hey, Greg. I’m sorry, but she’s not here.” Melissa replied, one hand resting on her apartment’s door “Is everything okay?”
“Oh, I see.” the man said with a disappointed look “We had plans for tonight, but I haven’t been able to get ahold of her.”
Melissa had only recently welcomed Janine Teagues in her house. While hearing the young paramedic talk about the problems she was having with her landlord after her boyfriend left, she remembered how difficult it was for her to find a decent place during the separation from Joe, and she felt compelled to offer her a temporary solution. Besides, Janine was the annoying, but sweet breath of fresh air she needed in her life: spending her nights teaching the girl how to cook was far better than getting lost in her own depressing thoughts in front of a bottle of wine.
“She’s probably still at work.” the firefighter added with an understanding smile “Her team was stuck on a call when our shift ended.”
“I don’t want to put you out, but…I’m getting worried.” Gregory nervously explained “Is there someone else we can reach?”
“I get it, boul.” Melissa reassured him “Come in, we’re going to call Captain Howard.”
Melissa was glad Janine had found someone like Gregory Eddie, a good man who only wanted what was best for her: the two youngsters had been dating for less than two weeks, and there he was shaking at the idea of something bad happening to her. Being one of his neighbors during her married years, the redhead had known Gregory for a long time, and she had been one of the few to support his decision to help his community by joining the police, going against his father’s wishes.
“God, I’m making a fool of myself.” Gregory murmured, awkwardly sitting on the couch.
“Seriously?” Melissa ironically replied, putting her cell up to her ear “It’s okay, really.”
“Is she picking up?” the man asked, anxiously fidgeting.
“Well, that’s weird.” the redhead explained with a furrowed brow “Her phone’s off.”
The fact that the two women were both untraceable was not only odd, but also most definitely not a coincidence. Melissa now fully understood Gregory’s concern: she could tell something ugly was happening, and it was necessary for them to find out what was really going on, hoping there was still time to help.
“That can’t be good…” the young police officer noted “What’s the plan?”
“Get in the car, we’re driving to the station.” the firefighter replied, giving him a friendly pat on the back.
Melissa’s apartment was not too far from her workplace, but their worry and eagerness for answers made the ride feel like it was going to last forever.
“Captain!” Ava exclaimed, running towards the two of them as they entered the station “We were just about to call you.”
“What happened, Coleman?” Melissa asked, her heart racing.
“The ambulance was rammed by some armed assholes.” the woman explained “They were trying to steal drugs.”
A million horrifying thoughts started to build up in Melissa’s mind. All she could conceive were images of her colleagues being terrified, injured, or worse. She wanted to know more, but she didn’t feel strong enough to learn the truth: as a first responder, losing people she cared about was part of the deal, but it was way too soon for everyone to face something like that again. Were her friends alright? Was Barbara ?
“Shit.” the redhead mumbled, failing at hiding her true feelings “W-what about Captain Howard and her team?”
“Things got messy, Cap.” Ava answered “I don’t know much, but they’re all being treated at the nearest hospital.”
“Let’s go, Melissa.” Gregory said, gently taking the car keys from her hand “They’re going to be fine.”
“Teagues! Hill!” Melissa instinctively cried out, showing her great apprehension.
“Cap!” the two of them replied at once, getting close enough for her to put her arms around them.
“Are you hurt?” the firefighter asked, scanning the lobby with her eyes “Where’s Captain Howard?”
Melissa was extremely relieved to see they were completely unharmed, but Barbara’s absence made her heart sink. For the second time that night, she felt too weak to welcome any answer.
“Don’t worry about us, Captain.” Janine explained, quickly glancing over at Gregory “Those people ordered us to stop treating our patient, but Captain Howard bravely refused.”
“One of them hit her with the butt of his gun.” Jacob added, pointing at the door behind him “She was unconscious for a couple minutes, but she’s up now. She’s getting stitched up in that…”
“Excuse me, I need to go.” Melissa interrupted, rushing towards Barbara’s room.
The Italian woman didn’t know if she belonged there, in a hospital infirmary by her friend’s side. Looking back, her choice was a shameless overstep, and a total violation of the other woman’s privacy, but in that moment there was no time to think about all of that: her mind was so clouded by the news that immediately checking on Barbara felt like her only option.
“I’ve already been saved, Melissa.” Barbara joked, greeting her with a smile “You’re late.”
“Do you know this woman?” the nurse said, visibly annoyed by the incursion.
“Luckily enough, I do.” the paramedic replied, allowing the man to leave them alone.
There was a big patch on Barbara’s head, covering the nasty cut her aggressor left her with, currently held together by a few stitches. Before going back to work, she had told herself not to be so reckless now that she had a daughter waiting at home, but nothing could stand between her and a patient who needed her attention. She didn’t care about being injured, but she hoped the man she was helping was rescued in time.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done this.” the firefighter apologized, holding her breath “I can wait outside.”
“You still haven’t figured out this whole ‘knock before you enter a room’ thing, but…I’m happy to see you.” the brunette smiled “Come here.”
“Are you in any pain?” the redhead asked, timidly stepping closer.
Barbara couldn’t tell if it was the concussion messing up her feelings and guiding her actions, or if it was simply the right time to take a strongly desired step forward in their friendship, but all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around the wonderfully complicated woman who almost kicked down a hospital door to make sure she was fine. However, showing affection had never been easy for her, and the last thing she meant to do was drive Melissa away by crossing a line.
“Not really, I’m feeling better now .” Barbara answered, locking eyes with the firefighter.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again...” Melissa said, tenderly hugging her “Please.”
“I w-won’t.” the paramedic softly replied, reciprocating the unexpected embrace.
It was indeed the perfect moment to make progress in their relationship, and because of the way the brief contact they shared made them feel, they were now both sure of it. Wherever life was going to take them, there would always be something about Melissa meant to make Barbara let her walls down.
“Wanna grab some food?” the firefighter suggested, awkwardly trying to set a different mood.
“I’d love to…” the brunette explained with a sorry expression “But I promised Gina I would be home for dinner, and her babysitter is already working overtime.”
“Well, I know some pretty good places if you two feel like dining out.” the redhead kindly added, proudly shaking her car keys.