Fireproof by Alex Kendrick Page A

man put the lid back over the cake.“Here. You make this cake disappear, then I’ll be impressed.”
    Simmons got up from the table, motioning as though shoveling food into his mouth. “Give him three minutes and we know he could make it disappear.”
    â€œYou got that right, Lieutenant,” said Terrell.
    â€œAll right,”Wayne said. “Give me the cake dish.”
    â€œNo, no, no. Stand over there and do it. I ain’t lettin’ you touch it.”
    â€œYou can’t do that, man. I gotta have room to work.”
    â€œIf you can’t work from there, you ain’t the real deal.” Terrell’s left hand remained on the cake dish, while his right lifted a slice to his own mouth.
    â€œTerrell,” Caleb urged, “I say let him try.”
    â€œSure, Cap’n, but I ain’t giving him the cake. He’s always brag-gin’ about what he can do, and how well he can do it. I been trying for years to be impressed with Wayne, and I’m just sayin’ . . . It’s been a long wait.”
    As Terrell spoke, Lieutenant Simmons slipped behind him unseen, from the other entry into the kitchen, and motioned to Caleb.
    Caleb took his cue.“Wayne,” he said, punching the driver in the arm, “Terrell’s right. The only thing you can do better than him is dance.”
    Terrell almost choked on his bite of cake. “Excuse me?”
    Caleb turned on the stereo.
    The light came on in Wayne’s eyes as he noticed Simmons still in hiding. Realizing his opportunity, he jumped in with both feet—quite literally. “That’s right,” he taunted. “That’s what I been talkin’ about. Everyone here knows I can lay it down better than you, Terrell.”
    â€œGive us all a sample,” Caleb said.
    Wayne started dancing to the music as Terrell stared in disgusted disbelief. The rookie was laughing, and Caleb couldn’t conceal his own wide grin.
    â€œAre you kiddin’me?”Terrell waved a hand, shooing away this disgrace to people of rhythm everywhere. “There’s no way you could be serious. He moves like a drunk hippopotamus.”
    The hippopotamus continued, unfettered.
    Eric and Caleb egged him on.
    Terrell let go of the cake lid, still unaware of Simmons just behind him. He stepped toward the center of the room, ready to throw it down. “Look, man. You gotta flow with the music, like this.” He started dancing. “It’s gotta be smooth,Wayne, and soulful . You can’t just lumber around like that.”
    Wayne’s gyrations came to a slow halt as he turned his attention to the suave movements of his fellow fireman.
    Caleb gave Simmons a slight nod. The lieutenant gently lifted the cake lid and removed the entire dessert. He retreated back the way he’d come, disappearing from view.
    â€œWayne, I hate to break it to you,”Caleb said.“But it looks like Terrell’s got you beat. The man can dance.”
    â€œ Thank you.” Terrell’s face made clear his disdain of the competition.
    â€œBut Terrell, I still think Wayne can make that cake disappear.”
    â€œI know I can,”Wayne said. “Stand back and watch some real talent.”
    Caleb joined his driver in the center of the room.“Do it,Wayne. Do it. C’mon, just like I taught you.”
    â€œAre you serious?” Terrell was confused. He took a step back, blocking the counter with his wide body, and returning his hand to the lid to guard the object in question. “Show me whatchu got, big guy.”
    â€œI’ve been holdin’ back on you, man. But it’s time,”Wayne said with a flourish of his hands and a wild-eyed look, “for the master to work. Hold the music, please.”
    Eric turned off the stereo. Wayne stared toward the counter, putting his face through a variety of facial contortions that were more slapstick than mysterious. Terrell watched him as if he