When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Author: Marni Mann
- Language: English
- Genre: Romance Literary Fiction
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- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
ALIX
PRESENT DAY
“NINE-ONE-ONE, WHAT’S YOUR EMERGENCY?” I said into the
headset as I stared at the computer screen.
While I waited for a response, I sucked in a deep breath and rested my
fingers on the keyboard, my thumb gently tapping the space bar but not
hard enough to actually press it down. My body tensed. The tips of my toes
ground into the bottom of my shoes.
It was a ritual.
One I repeated every time I answered a call.
“I’m at the Public Garden,” the woman said. “And a man just fell off
one of the benches. He’s on the ground, screaming. You can probably hear
him in the background. It looks like he hurt his arm or something.”
Once I processed her description, my chest loosened.
The air I’d been holding in slowly made its way through my lips.
The tapping stopped.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Why do you need that?”
“It’s for our records and also so I know what to call you.”
“I’m not comfortable with giving you my last name, but my first name
is Rachel.”
“Rachel,” I repeated as I typed it into the system, “do you know the
man’s name?”
“I don’t know him. I was just walking by with my boyfriend, and I saw
it happen.”
“Are you able to get close to him and ask if he’s okay?”
“Look, I’m just calling out of courtesy. I don’t have time to go over and
assess the man.”
Before I could respond, Rachel disconnected the call.
So, I finished typing up my notes and dispatched the emergency
response team to the Public Garden. Before they even left the firehouse,
they’d know the man could be suffering from a broken arm, shoulder, or
even head trauma and that no other symptoms had been reported.
Once I finished all the coding, I logged off and removed the headset.
Then, I took out my bag from the bottom drawer and reached inside for my
cell. I found Rose’s last text and started typing.
Me: I’m not going to make it. I’m exhausted.
Rose: If you don’t show up, I’m going to walk to your townhouse and drag
your ass out. It’s your choice.
Me: I’m leaving work right now. See you in 15.
Rose: I got us a table outside, right in front. You can’t miss me.
I put the phone back in my bag and stood from the desk, making my
way through the call center. This was where most of the emergency and
non-emergency calls were answered for each district of Boston. Where we
worked eight-hour shifts and handled over a thousand calls a day.
I wondered if I’d have the same ritual tomorrow.
Or if I’d have a different one.
Or maybe I wouldn’t have one at all.
That thought was interrupted when I heard, “Alix,” as I walked by
Marla’s office.
I stopped reluctantly and turned around, backtracking until I was in her
doorway. “Hey,” I said, watching her smile as she got up from her chair.
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