Page 37 of Burned By Fire
17
EMBER
Friday, June 3rd
Jackie marches into my bedroom and pulls back the curtain. The light touches my skin, and I scurry away like a vampire burning in the sun.
“I’ve just had a call from the firehouse. They said you haven’t been back to work since the fire at your old house. I thought I hadn’t seen you because I was missing you between shifts. Your mom’s going to be fine so her health is not an issue. What’s going on with you?”
Since the fire, I haven’t left my apartment. I’ve called in sick at work, and I missed the school talk with the children.
“I’ve only moved from this bed to pee and eat cereal,” I say. “I haven’t seen anyone since then.”
Sol dropped my bag off the night of the fire, and that was it. I wonder if he looked inside, seeing the picture of our baby I’d left in there. My stomach clenches, and I quickly run to the bathroom to empty its contents.
With the pad of my thumb, I softly stroke my belly under my navel. A little tiny person is in there, and it’s part of me. How will Sol react, and what will my boss say when he finds out? I’m fairly new at the firehouse, and I might get redeployed to the training facility, which I don’t want.
I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. People like me aren’t supposed to get into this kind of situation. I’m usually sensible and don’t have unprotected sex. Actually, I hadn’t slept with anyone for over a year before Sol, and I got pregnant the first time. I touch my stomach again. I don’t regret creating what’s in my belly. I just hope Sol isn’t mad.
Jackie’s in the kitchen making a drink when I pull myself together enough to leave the bathroom. “Do you want some coffee?” she asks.
“Water will be fine.” She pours me a glass, placing it on the counter. “Thanks.”
“Tell me what happened with your mom.” My throat feels as dry as a desert, and I take a large gulp of water. It does nothing to quench my thirst. “Pace yourself or you’ll be sick again,” Jackie warns.
She heard me throwing up, so she’s probably got questions.
I lower the glass. “She doesn’t want to see me. Robert had her locked in the cupboard, and if we hadn’t got there in time, she’d be dead now.” My eyes fill up with tears, but I fight them back.
“But you did get there in time, and she’s safe now because of you.”
“Unless she’s gone back to him.”
“I saw your mother yesterday. She was her usual self, and it wasn’t a pleasant visit, but she seems fine considering what happened to her. Thankfully, Robert is in jail. Go get dressed.”
“Why?” I frown.
“We’re going to the hospital.” She sips her drink, and I have another mouthful of water.
“But…” I start to argue, but my aunt is strong-minded, and I quickly realize there’s no point.
I get washed and brush my teeth while she finishes up in the kitchen. She watches me collect a cooking bowl from the cupboard before we leave but doesn’t question it as we head out to her car.
We keep the chat light while we make our way across town. This is my first dose of sunlight all week, and I’m already feeling better for the fresh air coming through the open window. I decide to leave the bowl in the car because the sickness seems to have passed.
“My mom kicked me out of her room last time I came to visit,” I say as we walk into the reception area.
“I’ll speak to her while you get some water. You need to rehydrate.”
“Thanks.”
We get to the room Mom is staying in, and Jackie talks to her while I go get a cup of water. A few minutes later, she’s holding the door to Mom’s room open, and we’re walking inside.
“I thought I said I didn’t want to see you,” Mom says with a scowl.
“Get over yourself, Ann. Your daughter’s a beautiful soul, even if you can’t see it,” Jackie says.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, hoping my aunt has calmed her down.