Firehouse
by Dave Conifer
Category: Fiction

Zach Bowie has been wrestling for years. It was something to do when he wasn't singing lead in his rock band. That all changes when the 171-pounder is injured and Zach is thrust into the starting lineup on the high school team. He's surprised that the exhilaration of walking onto the mat feels as good as the rush he gets on stage. Maybe even better. How far could he go if he wasn't smoking three packs of Marlboros a day? Zach secretly devotes time between band gigs to training instead of partying. Pretentious lead guitarist Joe Fauquier, the guy with the perfect rocker hairstyle, notices the lifestyle change and leans on Zach to drop it. There's resistance on the team too. Many don't want some 'pot-smoking burnout' around, especially one who lives in the crummy part of town with his single mother. Coach Crisfield finally tires of Zach's late nights. Joe loses with patience when Zach keeps ditching the band for wrestling. Both issue the same ultimatum: Zach must choose between his two passions.