My 59th Birthday

My 59th Birthday  (13+) A short story for One Firefighter in Red. #1153305 by Gamma Jill

The New Prompt is:

Some of us writer's have heard the jokes about firery birthday cakes, i.e better get the fire department because there is one big fire burning on your cake...

Write a Birthday story where the fire chief is turning an age close to retirement and has a group of his best firefighters surrounding the festivities in case a disaster occurs



Just like everyday before, I woke up at 6 am. As I was yawning and stretching, I remembered this was the day I was born. All those many years past, all the memories and duties. It gave me relief to know that I would get to retire in three years. My youth had been fun, my parents always there for my siblings and I. The stunts we would play, that now I would rather forget. I was lucky to become a firefighter with those in my past.

Getting into the shower, I remembered Mom was so scared the day I entered the Academy. She was always afraid that I would burn up, or fall out of a tree saving a cat. But Dad was a fireman, and he was as proud as could be. To find that one of his boys followed his lead. It’s strange, that after I graduated he was always harder on me. At least it seemed that way for me.

He was the Chief at that time, but now I see why. He had seen many firemen die, and he was not going to let me be one. When Dad retired, we threw him a great party. The loud noises and drinking up by the bar showed all were having fun. They brought out a large cake with the candles all flaming. The laughter and jeers going about by all the people who gathered within proved everyone was having a good time. It was a great day.

But now as my day draws nearer, I hope they forget. It's been great working almost 40 years with so many different fire workers. As I dried off and got dressed, I kept thinking at least it isn’t time yet. I’ve grown to like so many, and yet have seen a few go. But so many young ones joining us now. I can’t believe that I was ever that young.

My day went quietly, the way that I like. The only plans that we have for tonight, is going out for a quick meal. This will make this day perfect. Now that the kids have all grown, it will be quiet and fast. And then home to relax. I took the day off, so there won’t be any dealing with emergency’s.

Finally dinner time came, and we went out for Italian. It was peaceful and quiet, until that crazy moment. Suddenly the fire department showed up, their sirens all blowing. They quickly ran through the door and into the kitchen. They were in there for quite a long time. I felt that I should go see but was warned by the fireman to stay still. I was unaware of this man; however, those fire trucks were from my district. Finally with lots of noise and clattering, they came through that door with such a bright light.

They came up to me and pushed a tray through. There was a birthday cake with 59 candles all lit. They laughed as they said the restaurant wouldn’t allow the cake to be delivered without them around. There were men with fire hoses asking if I needed help. But I didn’t need that, I was blowing them out by myself. We had a great time, the laughter and jeers. But as I called it a night… I reminded them "I still have three years. So you better straighten up fast, cause 'payback is a bitch.' " And then I thought to myself, is three years going to be enough?

Word Count: 589


Happy 6th Birthday WDC!!!!