Page 89 of Flare Up

Tommy Kincaid stood in front of the framed photo of Bobby Orr. His daughters were on either side of him as Scotty and Aidan tightened the final screws securing it once again in its place of honor on the wall.

The last couple of years had seen a lot of upheaval, which must explain why he was so emotional tonight. Every man and woman in the bar tonight was somebody he considered family, and he felt their wins and losses.

It had started with Danny and Ashley separating, which brought Lydia home to help out at the bar. His relationship with his daughters had been a mess. Then Lydia had started seeing Aidan, which had put Aidan at odds with Scotty. For a while, Tommy had despaired that he’d let his wife down so badly, he could never make it right and that, even in heaven, she was heartbroken.

But Kincaids were nothing if not stubborn, though, and they’d all worked it out. This past Thanksgiving had been perfect. Danny and Ashley, with little Jackson. Lydia and Aidan. Scotty and Jamie. And this coming Thanksgiving, he’d have a brand-new grandchild to hold.

Tommy had watched with pride, from his barstool, as the guys of Engine 59 and Ladder 37 had had their lives turned upside down and come out the other side better for it. And tonight, watching Grant and Wren basking in love and congratulations brought it almost full circle.

Scotty and Aidan putting Bobby Orr back on the wall where he belonged, marking the true reopening of his pub, with Lydia and Ashley at his side was the closing of the circle. It was symbolic in a way he couldn’t explain in words. He just felt it in his heart.

He hadn’t always done right by his wife, and he hadn’t really known the truth of it until after he’d lost her. But at least if he was lucky enough to see her again on the other side, he could tell her their children were happy and loved. That was all Joyce had ever really wanted for them.

As his son and son-in-law stepped back from Bobby Orr’s picture with game show hostess flourishes, emotion tightened Tommy’s throat and he wasn’t sure he could speak.

Instead, he touched the tips of his fingers to his mouth for a long moment and then pressed them against the glass.