SEBASTIAN walked into the bright and colorfully decorated first grade classroom. Behind him were Nate and Rodrick, two other firefighters on his crew. Just before, the three of them had been laughing and joking amongst themselves as they set up for their fourth and final fire safety presentation for the day. He agreed to join them on the visit to McKinley-Brighton Elementary, despite being off the full duty rotation for about two weeks. There was nothing else to do.

Sebastian had made it out to the orthopedic surgeon for three follow-up appointments. He had started physical therapy. He had spoken to his brother, who invited him to spend a few days out in Los Angeles in a month’s time. He had banged a few girls from his contact list. And that was it. If he didn’t get out of the house for something other than doctor’s visits, he would have gone crazy already. He needed to distract himself from the injury, his inability to work, all the free time he suddenly had, and the boredom. Standing in front of a classroom full of chatty, hero-worshipping six-year-olds was a productive distraction.

“We’re so happy you could join us today,” said the first grade teacher, Mrs. Mayweather. The gray-haired woman smiled pleasantly at the three of them, and they tipped their fire helmets to the kids. He, Nate and Rod weren’t wearing their full firefighter uniforms today. It was a safety talk, and for those, they wore navy blue firehouse t-shirts, navy slacks, and their helmets.

“We’re happy to be here, ma’am,” Sebastian replied politely, and turned to the class. “Are you ready to talk fire safety?”

The students responded with a loud “yes” that had Mrs. Mayweather scurrying to the front of the class with her fingertip to her lips.

“Inside voices, children!”

They sat on a large, multicolored carpet, waiting with all the patience thirty first-graders could drum up. It was entertaining, watching the squirming, chattering little rug rats. The teacher positioned herself in a corner of the classroom while Sebastian reviewed age-appropriate fire safety topics. They had brought along coloring sheets and an educational video. It was all mostly common sense, but he had seen the tragic outcomes for under-prepared and overconfident families far too often. The three of them alternated being at the front of the room, teaching the kids about a home fire escape plan, and practicing how to safely evacuate a building—something many parents didn’t typically think about.

“Pop in the video, Firefighter Nate,” he called out.

His thirty-minute talk was supplemented by the bright, cheerful firehouse dog cartoon video that reiterated basic fire safety messages. As it played, he retreated close to the back of the room with his crew. He leaned back against the wall beside them and stared at the awestruck faces of the young audience. They were captivated by Dalmy, the animated Fire Safety Dog in the video. He remembered being their age and dreaming of being a firefighter.

When the video was finished, they wrapped up and left the classroom. Sebastian knew Nate and Rob’s earlier barrage of questions was just beginning. As the three walked across the crowded parking lot to the fire department nonemergency van, they raised the topic again.

“What have you really been up to, man?” Rod said to him. “You haven’t called any of us or come by the firehouse in two weeks. And you haven’t come out for drinks with us like you used to. We get it that you’re on the injured list, but we got history, brother.”

“He’s got to have a new woman in his life,” Nate teased. “Rod, that’s how you were when you met Keisha. Or don’t you remember?”

Sebastian smiled and shook his head. “Why do I get the feeling you guys have been waiting to corner me? I’ve got a bum knee, dudes. What am I going to do with a new woman in my life?”

“I’m picturing a nurse’s uniform,” Nate joked.

“You’re wrong. There’s no one.”

“You can’t hold out on us, Bash,” Rod added. “I hope you remember that in our line of work, we’ve got to stay tight. We want to make sure she’s the right kind of girl for you, you know? So, when do we get to meet her?”

Sebastian choked back a laugh. “There’s no one to meet and nothing to tell. What? You want to meet my fuck buddies?”

Nate let out a grunt and Rod rolled his eyes. Sebastian hoped that was the end of the conversation, but Rod blurted out, “She’s not another married woman, is she? Because that would be the only reason you don’t want us to meet her.”

“Holy fuck, I said there’s no one…trust me, if things change, you meatheads will be the first to know.”

He shook his head and shoved the envelope of fire safety coloring sheets and handouts into the back seat.

“Bash, we hate to do this to you, but it’s time for an intervention.”

Nate placed a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder and turned him away from the truck to look him squarely in the eye. Behind him, Rod finished loading up supplies and walked around to join Nate. Sebastian was certain this was planned.

“Hit me with your best shot, guys,” he answered. “What’s this about an intervention?”

Rod pushed a full-color flyer against Sebastian’s chest, and he reached up to grab it. He burst out laughing when he took a closer look at it. It was a ridiculous idea.

“There’s no fucking way I’m doing this. Speed dating? You have got to be kidding.” He looked over at them. They weren’t smiling. “Wait. You’re serious?”

“Serious as a five-alarm fire, my friend,” said Nate. “See, we know you, man. It’s time. You need a woman in the picture.”

“Listen to your bros, man,” Rod added. “You’ve got to be tired of sitting at home, setting up model trains, sleeping with a different chick every night. We’re your boys. We got you. And friends don’t let friends turn into wily old bachelor loners. You’re heading there, man.”

“Seriously?” I ask.

“Don’t try to deny it, dude,” Nate said, grinning. “Ever since Aileen left you hanging, it’s like you gave up, man. It’s been six months. Now it’s time to get you back on the market. Trust me, you’ll thank us later. Pick a weekend and say when, but don’t try to put this shit off. We’re onto you, and if we have to, we’ll drag you there kicking and screaming.”

Right then, Sebastian knew his dating life had really gone to shit.

Speed dating?

What the fuck?