Well Hello Mr. Fireman

This last August, the morning of my 25th birthday, I had just got out of the shower when my phone rang. It was Melissa Rouse (I have called her Rousey since we were sorority pledges, freshman year at Auburn). “Happy 25th birthday Micah” she sang over the phone. I had already decided I would be late to work. So, with my hair dripping wet, I wrapped myself in a towel and sat down to catch up with an old friend.

Rousey was mid sentence when I heard a knock at the door. Considering I was suppose to be at work, it was bizarre that someone would be knocking. I walked to the door, still in towel and squinted out the peephole. There before me was one of New York’s finest. A NYFD firefighter was impatiently waiting at the door. “Rousey, fireman at my door! I need to call you back” I said.

I had to think fast. I was in only a towel (a small towel). Did I have time to change? What if it was an emergency? Would they break down the door if I didn’t open it soon? This could be life or death and all I could do was stand frozen in my kitchen with wet hair and a towel.
I unlocked the door, “hello, may I help you.” He was much better looking up close. The peephole did him no justice.
“We had a small fire in the restaurant below you. Do you have access to the restaurant awning?" he asked.
I still stood frozen, holding my towel tight around me. “Yes my roommate,” is all I said, pointing to the other side of the apartment.
He sounded like a Clydesdale walking through my tiny apartment. His giant oxygen tank strapped to his back was swaying back and forth knocking things over. He quickly observed Blair’s room and window then was done.
“Thank you” he said as he turned to leave the room.
That was it! I was openly humiliated in front of NYFD for nothing! I had pictured myself being rescued; carried into the streets of New York by this brave firefighter. Yes, I would be standing in the middle of Park Avenue in only a towel, but I wouldn’t care because I was alive!
“Sorry for the inconvenience” he said. And with that, the fireman shut the door behind him. I’m sure I was the running joke of the firehouse that day, but I didn’t care. I had a great story. After all, how many people can say they were “half naked when their apartment almost burnt down”.