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asked Nique. “You’ve been all quiet and distracted today. You haven’t made a single inappropriate innuendo to me. I’m starting to feel unappreciated.”
    “Sorry,” I said. “I’ll make sure to sexually harass you by shift’s end.”
    “I should hope so. You know that I crave negative attention to validate my self image.”
    Her language was a jab at our recent sexual harassment training. FirstLine Ambulance’s Human Resources Department had recently woken up and taken an interest in their employees’ interactions after hearing some (very likely true) rumors of gross misconduct. Given the fact that they employed a large and transient workforce made up of young, fit, relatively attractive, oversexed adrenaline junkies with only a fleeting respect for rules, it really shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone. And, given that the job involved high stress, low pay, 24 hour shifts, coed bunk rooms, and minimal supervision, even people in HR should have known exactly the kind of employee they would attract.
    I’m not throwing stones, mind. I loved the ambulance crews like family. Just saying that Captain Blood or Blackbeard would have found us an undisciplined lot.
    But HR had to do something. So they put together a laughable PowerPoint presentation and had us watch it. Not sure it helped, but it reduced the company’s liability, which was the point anyway.
    Gave some of the crew ideas for things we hadn’t already done, I’m sure.
    “So what’s bothering you?” Nique asked.
    “I’m not sure,” I replied. “I think something might be going on with Sarah.”
    “Oh, no,” she said. “I really like her. You didn’t screw it up, did you?”
    “Not that I can tell.”
    “So what makes you think something’s wrong?”
    I thought about it. Maybe Nique could give me a woman’s perspective. I told her about the other night, and my misgivings.
    She thought for a bit in silence while we drove through the city. “I don’t know, Sean. I mean, she could just be preoccupied with work, since the new semester is starting soon, or maybe she’s working something out, thinking about the relationship. She seems like she’s pretty stable, so I don’t think she’d get crazy on you and suddenly act different, but maybe you did something by mistake.”
    “So what do you think I should do?”
    “I’d surprise her with something nice. Flowers out of nowhere. A romantic dinner. See how she reacts. If it’s just normal life stress, that should shake her out of it. If it doesn’t, I’m afraid you might have to actually ask her what’s wrong.”
    “A direct question?” I asked. “I knew you would have a cunning plan.”
    “It’s a long shot, but it just might work.”
    “So you think I’m being paranoid?”
    She paused for a moment. A long moment. “I really don’t know. She seems nice, and I got the impression she was really into you. It’s probably nothing, but if you’re worried, it’s not a bad idea to check it out.”
    “Thanks, I guess.”
    “I just don’t want to see you get hurt,” she said. “You can let her know, subtly of course, that if she does break your heart, I’m not above cutting a bitch.”
    “Your concern is touching,” I told her. “Really, it is.”
    “Got to protect my stable,” she said. “Can’t have anybody else mistreating them. Look, Sean, try not to worry about this other guy. This poet or whatever. You’re a good guy. And you’re a badass. She’s seen you go all Rambo and save the day. That’s pretty sexy.”

Chapter 6
    I GOT HOME EXHAUSTED from the shift, but I couldn’t sleep. I tried to lie down and close my eyes, but I kept thinking about Sarah, and the last time I’d seen her.
    She was enthusiastic in her seduction, but something was missing. Tenderness, caring, I suppose was the best way to describe it. Oh, it was nice and all. Sex always is, but it felt more like a one night stand than an act of love and intimacy between two people who cared