Chapter 3: Paco

I woke up to an alarm that rang through the station. I jumped out of bed running behind the men to the call. The engine I rode pulled up in front of the Surf Shop. I laughed seeing Paco wave his hands around. He threw his hands up in defeat. "It was just the insense he yelled and held up a tablecloth with a big burnt hole in it. I sent all the trucks back but the one I rode in.

"Hey Paco I'm Gemma the Fire Stations Captain, can I just come in and make sure." He nodded and tossed the burnt cloth over the railing. I walked in and opened the windows. A crystal bird caught my eye. "Ah so you want to feel free." Paco's voice rang out and I shook my head. "I am free." I responded before opening another window and turning to look at him.

He placed hia fingers at the end of his mustache. "There are different kinds of freedom." I nodded and looked at the table the fire had left a burn mark, but it was cool to the touch. "You need to let go the Wolf is right." He grabbed my hands and pulled me to the counter and poured me some tea. "Drink, drink." I didn't feel like arguing so I drank the tea he set before me. On the cup set a woman with long golden hair. She sat on a throne of gold and roses grew around her. "This is a beautiful cup." I said as he flipped a scarf over his shoulder.

"That is you. A true empress, and a man wants to impress." Pablo let out a little laugh. "She represents life and beauty, and romance." He rolled his eyes and leaned back slightly. "But you are not all harmonious like her. Look and see what she holds. I looked at the cup listening to Paco. "A smile wide and she is as fun, the evening tide can feel like a ton. You worry to much about what other's think, it's what's inside that counts don't you think?" I nodded and he grabbed the empty cup. "Oh dear your mother is a rotten peach. I'm so sorry my dear. Valor is here and she ought to help."

A knock sounded at the door and Paco rushed in a dramatic way to the door. "Valor love won't you do me a favor?" I saw her smile as she engulfed him in a hug. "Come in, come in I have a guest." She shut the door behind her and hurried towards the small kitchen island as Paco stood before me, he leaned back talking towards Valor.

"Valor I know why you came, your brother is upset, but surely Ms. Gemma will lay your worries to rest." Paco winked and scurried away. "Does he always speak in riddles and rhymes?" I asked as she took the stool that Paco had once sat in. "Yeah the guys think he's a goof, but he is very informative of you listen." I nodded and looked at the cup. "You okay Gemma?" Valor's voice sounding soft. I shook my head and started to tear up. "No, but I need to go get the truck back." I pointed to the fire truck that sat outside. "Would you be willing to meet me at the fire station?" I asked not wanting to push her away.

She hopped up and ran down the stairs eager to go to the station. I guided her to the truck and she climbed into the bright red truck. We rode in silenece the man behind the wheel glancing between us back to the road. When we got there I put my equipment away and guided her towards my office. Valor seemed to be taking it all in and she sat in the chair in front of my desk. Instead of sitting in my work chair I took the chair next to her. "Did I hurt Oliver?" Valor looked around the room and then back at me. "Short answer yeah. He likes you a lot, but won't talk about it. And knowing Ollie he is probably blaming himself."

I nodded and pulled my hair out of it's holder. "I um sort of ran out on our date. I just I can't help but wonder what he sees in me. I think... I know I messed up." She looked at me kindly and she pulled a string off my shirt. "Why did you run? Did he hurt you?" I shook my head furiously. "No, oh gosh no he was perfect." Valor moved to sit on her legs. "I didn't have a great home life... My mother always put me down. I think she said so many things, and Oliver says so many things that feel right and make me happy... I don't know what to believe."

Valor nodded and moved in her seat. "I think you know who to believe." My eyes started to tear up and she handed me the box of tissues that sat near her. "Oliver is a very straightforward guy. Even when we where kids, he knew what he wanted and how to get it. After he left me I felt so alone I grabbed onto anyone that made me feel safe. One guy definitely not worth my time." I interrupted her. "Oliver left you? Where?" Valor took a deep breath and I knew it was an uncomfortable topic, but she pressed on.

"He left me in the orphanage. Our parents died in a car crash when we where younger. We got passed to our Uncle who didn't want us because we where... wild. So we went to an awful orphanage. He ran away when he was seventeen promising me he'd be back. Over the years he sent postcards and then they stopped. At seventeen I waited still, suitcase packed. But I realized I couldn't wait for him anymore so Leah and I ran. We made it here, and we mended our relationship. I made friends and started a life with Jacob." She smiled when she said his name.

"Anyways I had a lesson to learn, and it was to trust. Paco helped me and so did my friends. Until one day I was happier than I imagined. Now I think it's your turn. To forgive, forget, and move on." I nodded and wiped my face. "Where do I start?" Valor smiled and pointed at me. "With yourself silly." I had no idea where to start. She pulled out a mirror from her bag and handed it to me. "What do you see?" I looked at it and saw myself puffy eyed and miserable. "I see me upset." She nodded and leaned foward. "I see a mess of curls that my mother called unruly a face blank of makeup making me look plain." She snatched the mirror. "No that's your mother talking."

Valor handed me back the mirror. "Try again." I took the mirror and opened it. "I see my curly long hair. I see an upset woman who needs to be okay with blank skin. I have clear blue eyes that are red from crying. And pink lips that very much feel dry." I laughed and Valor handed me a chapstick. "Want me to tell you what I see?" Valor asked and I nodded as she placed the mirror on my desk. "I want to see a beautiful woman who has her shit together. She works hard to achieve her goals." She waved her hand near my plaques. "She has beautiful golden hair that curls and I wish I had half the volume you have. I see a sad Gemma compared to the Gemma I saw at Joe's. The one who joked and laughed with Oliver." I nodded and wiped a tear that ran down my face. "I see someone who wants more then anything to fit in somewhere, and I say you fit in right here."

She leaned foward and hugged me. "Gemma fuck your mom and everything she told you. She was and is probably jealous that you are way more gorgeous then her." I giggled and Valor let me go out of the hug. "We are having a get together tonight if you want to stop by and surprise a certain someone." Valor smiled and I nodded. She rose to walk out and I panicked. "Wait where?" I asked and she walked back in. "The yellow house two down from Ollie's. It belongs to Mark and Mike Zute. Now go shower so I can pick you out some clothes."