Then she turned to Taren. "Please. Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I haven't seen you since high school. So, how've you been?

"Okay, but I can't stay long." Taren perched on the edge of a chair. "I hope you don't mind me coming by, but I was worried and just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"No, I'm glad you did," Kiki replied. "When did you become a firefighter?"

Taren smiled, relaxing a bit. "Shortly after high school. I worked my way up and I'm a ...