Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 94716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
We followed the pallbearers until they stopped directly behind the beautifully shined fire engine. Standing off to the side, I watched as one after the other lifted the coffin above their head, and set it on top of the fire truck. It fit perfectly in the back. Almost a little too perfectly, in my opinion.
A man from the funeral home led us to the black limo that would follow the fire truck and Adam to his final resting place just a short mile down the road.
“Wait!” Honey cried.
John turned stopped and waited for Honey with his arm upraised to help her into the limo. “What is it?”
“I want to take him home. One last time.” She whispered, with tears in her eyes.
John looked like a fist struck him in the gut, but he recovered quickly and led Honey over to the closest firefighter, who happened to be Tai. They spoke for a few moments before Tai took Honey’s hand and limped his way to the fire truck. He opened the front door and deposited her in the front seat, wincing only slightly when the wounds on his wrists brushed against her skirt.
John came back up to me, and I saw the utter despair written all over his face. Not knowing what else to do, I walked up to him and took his hand in mine. “How about we walk behind Jack and Thomas instead? Doesn’t seem to make much sense for a car to drive just the two of us.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He said gruffly, then walked up to Jack and Thomas, clapping them both on the back and telling them what we planned on doing.
Jack turned his head and acknowledged John with a nod; Thomas did the same. Our march to the cemetery was a short one in distance, but long in duration as we waited for the hundreds and hundreds of people to get moving.
The horses and riders with the flags were the first to get moving, which was followed shortly after by the fire truck, and the honor guard directly at its side. John, Kodiak, and I followed at a slow pace directly behind them.
A peeling wail from my side scared the absolute crap out of me so badly that I jumped and squeaked. Heart pounding a mile a minute, I turned and watched as a few men wearing their dress kilts started playing their bagpipes. It was such a haunting tone to listen to that many people who’d gotten their emotions under control after Jack’s song, began crying again.
As we made our way to the cemetery, we passed what had to be thousands of people standing on the side of the road. All of them were holding American and Texas flags. Some were crying. Some were saluting, but one thing was a constant. They were all very proud of their hero and he would be greatly missed.
The graveside service was a short and sweet affair. After presenting John with the helmet Adam wore to every fire, they folded the flag and gave it to Honey. She smiled serenely as the young man handed it to her with the upmost care.
I’d managed to make it through the whole graveside service without crying one single drop. That was until the Last Call Ceremony.
I wouldn’t have understood its importance if I hadn’t been with Tai as he was explaining to Jack the significance of that part of the ceremony.
Tai had explained that the ceremony was a very essential one.
“Usually, this is done with the bell, but Adam made the preference of wanting to use the dispatcher. The dispatcher makes the call that’ll bring aid to those that need it. At the ceremony, the dispatcher will call for Adam using his number, 241. She’ll repeat it two more times. On the fourth time, she will state that Adam has gone home.”
“When the bell was used, it would ring to signal that the firefighter went out to help someone in need, and then ring again when they were home. If the fire fighter died, then it would ring three sets of five to signify that he perished, and was now home. Forever.”
The crackling of the radio broke the silence of the morning. “Central dispatch to 241.”
Radio silence commenced.
“Central dispatch to 241.”
Radio silence.
The crowd’s head hung. Every single one of them.
“Central dispatch to 241, Adam Gustier.” The dispatcher’s voice broke.
Radio silence.
“Firefighter Adam Gustier. 241. Please respond.”
Radio Silence.
Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep.
“Unit 241, Adam Gustier, this is your last call. You work here is done. You are a hero. God speed. May you rest in peace.”
The finality in that statement finally broke through the haze, stealing the very breath from my lungs.
My nose stung and a sob hung in my throat as I watched Honey break down. John caught her falling body and cradled her like his most prized possession. His eyes were bleak and sad, as if he didn’t know what to do now that he’d lost his first born son.
The ceremony broke up not long after the last call ceremony. John took Honey to the car, foregoing the condolence handshakes that were the norm. Instead, I stood by the casket and greeted the people, telling them that a late lunch would be held at John and Honey’s house if they wished to come.
By the time the last person left, I was exhausted. However, I had to be strong for the one last part. Turning, I watched as Jack and Thomas started shoveling.
“Sir,” A man dressed in overalls called.
Jack didn’t stop what he was doing, so I went to him and explained. “He wants to do this, just let him be.”
“We usually do this with a Bobcat.” He explained helplessly.
“I know.” I whispered. “He needs this, just let them be.”
It wasn’t long before all of Jack’s friends started helping. One would load the wheelbarrow full of dirt, another would take it back once it’d been dumped. The rest just shoveled and shortly the hole was no longer.
***
I was wiping leftover crumbs off Honey’s kitchen table when Jack’s strong arms wrapped around my waist. He hugged me from behind for a long moment before releasing me and joining his brother, Adam’s dad, and his friends on the back porch.