Freed by Fire by Ashley Christine Read Free Book Online

With my window rolled down, I pulled the rings off, gave them one last look and tossed them right onto the freeway. I guess I could have left them, or sold them…but, I didn’t want any money for them, and it wouldn’t surprise me for a second if Matt would have merely recycled them and gave them to his new plaything. There was absolutely no coincidence that The Band Perry’s “Done” played on the radio as the white gold bands bounced under the tires of following cars.
    None .
    I hadn’t checked my Facebook or Twitter feeds in over two weeks. I have tons of notifications that I could check. But, I don’t. I probably should even change my marital status, but I don’t think they offer Old Maid as an option. Checking my Facebook would mostly likely force me into seeing Matt’s profile picture. I wondered if he changed it. Maybe to one of him and her, maybe not. I doubt it’s still the one of us hugging in front of the gazebo in West Brook Park.
    My curiosity got the best of me. I logged on, thumbing through the feed of condolences of people I knew, and who knew my mother. I clicked my own profile and pushed the camera to change my profile picture. Holding up my phone, I smiled and took a pathetic selfie. It would do. At least I looked happy in it. You can see the busy street in the background, the passing cars, the towering buildings and the people. A new city, a new picture. A new Emery.
    Wandering around a little more, I drank my Starbuck’s and took a few more pictures with my phone of skyscrapers and other magnificent buildings that surrounded me. I was really in another world.
    What are you up to? Maggie’s text chimed in.
     
    Me: Oh, you know. Being a tourist.
     
    Maggie: Sounds like fun. Watch out for crazies.
     
    Me: LOL I am. How’s work?
     
    Maggie: Boring. I would jump out the window,
    but you would miss me.
     
    Me: I would. And I’d be alone at dinner tonight.
     
    Maggie: Ha ha…well, have fun sight-seeing.
    Don’t get gang-banged.
     
    Me: I’ll try not to. But I can’t promise you anything.
     
    Maggie: LOL!
    Somehow I’ve wound up by a fire house. Big, red and black, freshly-washed fire trucks were backed into bays, and several people were walking around in matching dark blue t-shirts with CFD written in white on the back. Some others were wearing button-up shirts with patches on the sleeves.
    I watched from the other side of the street as a line of children walked up to the building, being led by some adults. Must be a daycare group. The firefighters brought out small red plastic hats and handed them out to the kids. My eyes darted to one of the trucks.
    Leaning against one of them with his arms folded on his chest, was a man. Yes, a man. The epitome of the word, if I’m correct. He was one of the ones wearing a t-shirt, and good heavens, if it wasn’t straining around his arms and chest. Didn’t his mother teach him to wear clothing more his size? I needed to find that woman to thank her for disregarding that little gem. He’s just…man. Yes, a man. I think I mentioned that already.
    His dark hair blew in the breeze, and he was wearing sunglasses so I couldn’t really see much of his face. Not that I needed to. His body was screaming “Hey! I’m gorgeous, look at me!” anyway. A little boy in a red plastic hat walked up to him and he knelt down to slap palms with the child. That was so cute. He likes kids. My heart fluttered a little. A feeling that hadn’t happened in a while.
    One of the leaders of the group of kids placed her hands around her mouth and loudly instructed them to do something. The kids started laughing and jumping around while following all the woman and the firefighters into the house, out of sight.
    Mr. Too-Tight T-shirt was the last in the line. I realized I had been standing here for far too long, gawking, but I didn’t care. One last look at that gorgeous man before he was out of sight.
    Was it completely awful that I was actually considering lighting a