So do you have a boyfriend or something?

In front of everyone he asked me a question that probably felt benign, but my answer cut short the joviality like a hammer strike, she said what?? He just looked at me. "How the hell old are you?" I love my lieutenant. Of all the questions he could have asked.

The jokes picked back up and later in the garage I found myself being ushered into one of the many one-on-ones with him of the evening. "So can ask what happened between you guys?" I went into it because, of all of them, he is the most like a brother to me. There are certain people you meet in this life that you just instantly trust, and know that they will always guide you in the right direction. I told him my not-too-short, not-too-long version, and he looked at me for a moment, as if trying to picture the person on the other side of the story.

"Men just ain't men anymore." He looked at me, shaking his head, eyes expressing both sympathy and understanding. And that was all he said about that.

The knowing, once you are a part of the brotherhood, that you will never be alone. The camaraderie that transcends any attempt at explanation. Amidst all of this stress and drama, I am so very thankful.

And in two Mondays I get to cut up cars and put water on fire :)