Gail Galloway's face was even redder than her hair. She had accidentally hit an extra 0 on the microwave, setting the popcorn to 30 minutes, before rushing back to finish her article on the new summer-movie season for Apple magazine. Had it not been for Angela Morris seeing the flames shoot out of the Sanyo, the entirety of Apple's Brooklyn offices would have been done for.
The microwave was ruined-and Gail would be responsible for replacing it-but the New York Fire Department gave Apple's staff the all-clear to return after an hour, determining that the fire had not spread, and that the fumes didn't pose a severe risk. Gail went to thank the firefighters personally, and apologized for causing the problem in the first place.
The firefighters seemed annoyed, except for one. "Ah, don't worry about it, ma'am," said Kenneth Griffin of Engine 16, Ladder 1. "It's what we do."
"And you do it so well!"
"What?"
Gail's face got red again. Her thick Glasgow accent was hard enough to understand, but when she spoke excitedly, it was virtually impossible to make out what she was saying. Oh shit, she thought. He probably thought I told him that he can go to hell!
Gail repeated her words slowly, and Kenneth smiled. Gail smiled back. How ironic, she thought. I'm writing about movies, and I meet a guy who looks like Idris Elba's twin brother.
"We appreciate all that you do," Gail said very slowly.
"Well, thanks, ma'am, and have a nice day."
Gail couldn't get Kenneth out of her mind. She had been living in New York for about five years, and had never met a man, black or white, who was as handsome. Was he single, she thought? What if he's with someone? Is he happy with her?
Gail's thoughts kept drifting back to the firefighter for over a week. She came up with the idea of thanking him again personally at his firehouse. Yet she had second thoughts; wouldn't it be awkward if she showed up there?
Her mind went back and forth. He wouldn't be interested in me, would he? I'm 42 and I don't think he's anywhere close to 30. What if he's not into women, or white women?
Gail finally pushed the doubts out of her mind. It wouldn't be that difficult to find out where he lived, would it? she thought. I'll just go to where he lives and thank him. I've got to see that gorgeous guy again.
Gail found out that Kenneth had received a special honor from the mayor two years before for rescuing three children from a fire. He was just 26 when he received it-a fact that made Gail a little depressed. She decided that shaving a few years off her age wasn't all that bad-guys do it all the time, right? Some dates had assumed she was in her mid-30s, so she decided she would tell him she was 35 if he asked.
Gail finally tracked down Kenneth's address, and was surprised to learn that he also lived in Brooklyn, in an apartment just a few blocks away from hers. On a Sunday afternoon two weeks after the popcorn fire, she paid him a visit. Before she did, she stepped into a CVS to buy a thank-you card.
Kenneth was surprised to hear her voice on his intercom, and buzzed her in. She knocked on the door of apartment 308 and greeted him with a huge smile.
