Between Flames and Promises

heavy debris came crashing down. In that split second, Lorenzo pushed his teammate and t

im out, Lorenzo had alrea

sad story, one you could turn away

the hospital room, the sterile bed beneath me just as familiar. I couldn't recall how I had ended

renzo... neither o

. His fellow firefighters, comrades who had shared his hardsh

aces etched with grief. Some of those Lorenzo had rescued wept openly

n his tombstone. The picture showed Lorenzo as I remembered him-clean-cut, bright-eyed,

e captain handed me a smal

ith something he always carried. He

tems. Opening the journal, I flipped

ate. The night we stayed up gaming until dawn. Our trip to the amusement

swinging open and flooding my mind. But t

irthday. I've already chosen the venue-the beach we visited on our trip. Joanna said the sunsets there were breathtaking, and she'd love to ha

oor, sobbing uncontrollably. Why was life so cruel

seeking comfort in the beauty of the world he had cherished. I even took my parents to explore serene mountain towns and tranquil lakes, places

ss and went to the beach Lorenzo had written

eflection. Waves lapped gently at the shore, their rhythm a soft lullaby. A soft bre

wind. In that moment, I could almost see Lorenzo smiling at me. He had been a

ng okay. Are you? Did you see me today, Lorenz

down my cheek

o, I mi