Unexpected Paths in Life

Loud sirens made Dan look up from his laptop at the kitchen table. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he glanced toward his mother standing at the sink. "What do you think it is this time?" he questioned.

Laura looked over her shoulder at Dan and smiled. "It'll probably be the neighbors again. Maybe one of Ron and Lenny's more vocal disagreements," she mused as she rinsed off the copper skillet and placed it on the drying rack.

The Palm family lived in the small bungalow-style home for the last ten years. Dan graduated from Hazard High School the previous year and took the first year off from college to help his mother pay a few over-due bills. She'd been laid off from her accounting job two months before and hadn't found work since. Luckily, they owned the home left for them by Laura's parents, or the bills might have been worse.

"When do you need to be in?" Laura asked as she tried to smooth a crease she'd spotted on her cream blouse.

Dan looked away from the large bay window across from him and drummed his fingers on the peeling vinal countertop. "Oh," he muttered as his mother's words broke through his thoughts. "Ten," he answered as he fished around in his slacks. Finding the name badge in his front pocket, he drew it out and gave her a half-hearted smile. "Until six-thrity tonight," he sighed.

"At least they're giving you full hours again," Laura commented with a bright smile. She looked Dan over and gave him a firm nod. "You look good in that. Better than those old t-shirts you used to wear."

"Come on! They weren't that bad," Dan groused.

"They were."

"Maybe just the ones with the dragons on it."

"How about the ones still in your bottom drawer?"

"You said we wouldn't talk about that again," Dan groaned. "I told you, I didn't buy those! They were given to me."

"Then why do you still have them?" Laura questioned with a smirk. She laughed before he could answer. "It doesn't matter. I'm just teasing you. Now, finish up. Do you have everything you need? Oh, and have you put all your clothes in the hamper?"

Dan winced and rubbed his smooth jaw as he tried to remember. "I think I have all my work clothes in there," he mumbled. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I do."

"Everything?" Laura pressed.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll check before I go, though. Don't need you cleaning up after me again. I swear."

"I went in your room last week to find said clothes. You were the one that hadn't cleaned up the mess on the floor. What will a girl say if you bring one over?"

Dan laughed and shook his head. "No, I'm not chasing anyone for a while. I need to save everything I can. I can't have another Cindy try to drain my already minuscule savings."

Laura pursed her lips as she strode over to the mirror by the front door. She picked up the small brush and ran it through her shoulder-length dark hair. "You'll change your mind," she prophesied with a smile as she looked herself over. The small, dark rings around her eyes stood out from her strong cheekbones and rosy cheeks.

"Mom, when is your interview?" Dan asked as he rose from his creaking stool. Closing the laptop, he looked up to see his mom pushing out her chest a little and readjusting her bra. The tight blouse emphasized her generous curves.

"Around ten, but I want to be early," Laura answered as she finished trying to readjust her too-small bra into a more comfortable position. It'd been a long time since she'd gone clothes shopping, and her ever-changing body made it clear it was something she'd need to do if she got the job.

The sirens, still blaring throughout their conversation, cut off. Mother and son looked at each other before peering toward the bay window. Outside, a firetruck, its lights still flashing, parked beside a fire hydrant. Men and women spilled out of the large vehicle and busied themselves with various tasks.

"Is it a fire?" Dan asked as he moved closer to the window.

"No, it looks like something is wrong next door, but I can't see because of Mr. Jones' new RV."

"That sucks," Dan shrugged as he went back to the counter to get his laptop and name badge. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he called as he moved toward the hallway off the tiny living room.

"Don't forget to text me," Laura called with a smile. "I'll let you know how the interview goes."

"Thanks, mom, and good luck. You look great, so don't worry," Dan called as he went to the last door on the right and closed the door behind him.

"I'll need it," Laura muttered as she tried to adjust her bra again. Its tight elastic cut into her skin along her ribs. "That's it, I have to have something else," she half-cried aloud as she glared down at her breasts. With one last look out the window, she spotted two female firefighters bending down to look over the fire hydrant.