Free The Fire Inside by Kathryn Shay

concerns.”
    Jack was prepared for it. “No, you won’t be
notified, unless I suspect they’ll harm themselves or others.”
    The man’s dark brows knitted. “ Any stress they experience can harm others who’re fighting fires next
to them.”
    “That’s true on the line. But while they’re
training, the issues won’t affect what you and the other
instructors do with them.”
    “Will you talk about us?” Tom asked.
    “Probably.” He thought of Tess and how the
young recruits in Rockland complained about her toughness. He was
grateful she wasn’t part of this group; he didn’t want to deal with
negative things said about her.
    Tom shook his head vehemently. “This isn’t
okay with me. Not unless the instructors are included in the
loop.”
    Leaning over his desk, Noah braced his arms
on the surface. “We want to give these kids the best opportunities
they can get. Admitting their dissatisfaction, discomfort and fears
will give us insight into what we might want to improve for future
classes, as well as helping the recruits deal with their
concerns.”
    Tom was still scowling. “I don’t like the
idea of this goin’ on behind my back. It’ll create paranoia.” He
turned to Jack. “No offense, Doc, but who’s to say if we’re tough
on them that they won’t go cryin’ to you and we’ll…I don’t know,
get in trouble somehow?”
    “You’re looking at everything negative that
can happen, Tom. I’m sure I can handle whatever I hear from them in
a constructive way.”
    Tom faced Noah. “Sorry, Chief. I volunteered
to help teach recruits because I thought we should all do our part.
But I didn’t sign up for fifteen kids takin’ potshots at me. I’d
like to be returned to the line.”
    Noah’s brow furrowed. “I can’t guarantee
you’d get your spot at Engine 5.”
    “I’ll do my four months somewhere else, then,
and go back to my station house after my time’s up.”
    “You feel this strongly about Jack’s
workshop?”
    “I’m afraid I do. Sorry to upset the balance
of things, but I don’t wanna teach under these circumstances.”
    “And we don’t want you here if you feel that
way.” Olive’s voice was stern but not hostile.
    “Go ahead, Senate.” Noah’s tone was also
grave. “I’ll have Battalion Chief Malvaso take care of reassigning
you.”
    Once Tom left, all eyes focused on Noah.
“So,” he said to them. “What do we do now? I hope it’s not too late
to get someone else.”
    Mitch leaned forward. “I might have the
answer to that. My cousin Tess is visiting Hidden Cove.” He
explained her injury. “But she got glowing reviews from the RFD
where she was training recruits. She’s here for an indefinite
period of time. Maybe she’ll take the job. You’d have to interview
her, of course, but it would solve our vacancy problem.”
    Olive gave a sly smile. “That’d even this up,
three women, three men. What does everybody think?”
    Everybody agreed to at least interview
her.
    Except one person. “I object, Mitch.” Jack’s
voice was firm. “I’m sorry. I know you care about her.” I do
too, he thought . “But she isn’t a good match for
us.”
    o0o
    Tess asked Ian to let her into the Academy
gym to work off some of the tension that coiled inside her like a
knot. Ian had told it to her straight, and she’d listened—with a
heavy heart—but she’d heard what he said: she had to accept what
had happened to her and do something else with her life.
    She’d brought a workout bag, changed into
bike pants and a tank top and started to walk the track, which
formed a perimeter around the gym. The place would be the home of
the recruit class in nine days. They’d treat the space like a
firehouse: they’d train in here and outside all day. Ropes would
hang from the ceiling, and the maze on the left side of the stage
was ready for them. One corner near the kitchen would be set up for
lunches and dinners. She remembered one time in the RFD class, the
kids had