Tyler’s hospital room door.
Captain Reyes walked in carrying the birthday cake I had abandoned at the station.
Behind him came the rest of Tyler’s crew.
And behind them floated the balloons.
The same balloons that had looked painfully out of place the day before.
This time, everyone was smiling.
One firefighter set down the cake while another tied the balloons near Tyler’s bed.
Captain Reyes shook his head.
“You know, most people celebrate birthdays without making the whole department panic.”
Tyler sighed.
“I’ll try that next year.”
Everyone laughed.
