Day 24: Tension Confusion

Marlon was the first one out of bed. He was not prepared for the day that awaited him. All Marlon knew was that it was Sunday, and there were no big plans. Good. He was rather tired from last week's events. To think that it all starts again tomorrow! Should I call out sick? No, can't do that. I'm the Fire Chief. It wouldn't bode well for the Fire Chief to call out sick after receiving a medal. Not a good example. Think about breakfast. Shouldn't be too hard, because I am hungry. This mushroom omelet should turn out really...
A buzzing and several chirps came from his pocket. Who could be calling me, Marlon wondered. Lifting the annoyance to his ear, Marlon smiled and greeted the intruder. "Good morning, this is Marlon. How can I help you?" "Good morning to you too, Marlon. This is Annalove. You know, from work? I never did thank you properly for saving my husband's life. Would you like to meet me today for breakfast? It'll be my treat." What was the harm? She was married; he was married. Should be no problem. "Sounds good," he replied. "I'll see you in a bit." The phone clicked off, but not before the mushroom omelet burned. Meggan and Temeka might still want it, right? Some ketchup or hot sauce, and you really can't tell. I better get going.
Marlon and Annalove met at the restaurant for breakfast, and they had a wonderful meal together. Time to go home. "Would you like to play some games at the casino together? It'll be my treat" Seriously? She's going to give me some money to gamble, Marlon considered. "That'll be fun!"
"Mom, the ice cream truck is outside. Can I get some ice cream?" "Sure, Temeka." "When is Dad coming home? Where is he?" "He sent me a message that he's spending time with a friend at work, who wanted to thank him for saving their house and family." "Oh, okay," Temeka shrugged as she walked to the truck full of goodies. "I'll take a freezer bunny-pop, please."
My luck is incredible today, Marlon thought to himself. I could certainly use more days like this.
Annalove smiled sweetly to Marlon. "Are you having a good time, Marlon?" Marlon nodded. "You deserve to have a good time. You have done so much for this town." She sighed. It sounded like disappointment. "I have to return to my husband soon. Would you like to sit outside and look at the stars together?" No harm in that, right? "Sure," Marlon said as he looked out the window. Was it getting dark already? Was I having that much fun?
They sat together outside by the pool of the casino. It was quiet; comforting. Marlon hadn't felt this way in a long time. "I love looking at the stars," Annalove confessed. Her hand was slowly crawling up Marlon's arm. "Don't you? "I haven't looked at the stars in a long time," he admitted. Marlon could feel her hands gently reaching up to his neck and shoulders. That... that felt pretty good. It's just a massage. It doesn't mean anything, right? "You are SO tense, Marlon," Annalove said softly in his ear. "Relax." It sounded like a command, but not a bad command. She was right, he DID need to relax more. "C'mon, let's take care of your muscles properly over in the hot tub."
This did feel wonderful, Marlon thought. Her hands were over his neck, upper back, and now lower. "This is much better," Annalove said. "I can feel the tension beginning to leave your body." She was right. He was feeling MUCH better now. The water was warm; her hands were warm. That sweet, soft voice. This was still okay, right? No, of course it is! We still have clothes on, and she did say she had to go home soon.
Marlon definitely felt relaxed. Annalove told him about one of the hotspots in town. Sounded like a good place to go for a cup of Joe.
Marlon sat there with Joe. Joe sat is the cup staring back at him with nothing to say. Marlon didn't know what to say back. Why was he so confused? Everything made sense before, but now... He wasn't sure if he wanted to keep working as a firefighter. He had an obligation, didn't he? Wasn't his own happiness worth more? Annalove suggested that it was. She has such a beautiful name. Her face, silky hair, amazing eyes... Drink your Joe, Marlon.
It was getting late; very late. Marlon wasn't sure if his wife Meggan would get upset for being out so late on a Sunday. She shouldn't be! Nothing happened, right? I better have a good reason just in case. I've never used these Llama Transport devices, Marlon thought as he stepped into it.
Marlon transported to the medical facility to get a flu shot. He was feeling a little sick; possibly. The flu shot would certainly help against any viruses floating around there. It didn't do much to cure the confusion running through his head and his heart.