The Fire
"Everly." I rasp trying to see beyond the smoke. I can hear my daughter crying. I force my legs to move, using the wall as a guide. I have no idea where Aiden is. He never came to say good night to Everly.
I reach the doorknob and shove the door open. Grabbing a blanket, I throw it over her head and scoop her up.
"Mama's here. Hold on baby." I plead. I walk carefully down the steps and towards the door when it burst open. Hands grab us, dragging us out. Then I'm choking on the night air.
"Is anyone else inside ma'am?" A man asks.
"My husband." I rasp. "Downstairs somewhere." Then I have an oxygen mask over my face and my baby is taken to be checked over.
I close my eyes and lean back trying to breathe when a big bang rocks the ground. I open my eyes and scream. Reaching for the house. Hands pulling me back. I drop to my knees as the grief closes around my heart.
The beeping of the monitors drives me crazy. I keep my eyes on Everly. Sound asleep.
"Calla?" Mom whispers entering the room. I wasn't ready to see anyone. I curl onto my side and sob. She settles beside me, holding me. "Oh, honey." She murmurs stroking my hair.
The firemen told me the broiler caught and by the looks Auden was trying to stop it, but it exploded. He didn't suffer. As if it makes it any better.
Aiden and I got married out of obligation. We cared for each other, but it was complicated. I close my eyes and try to regain my composure. My lungs ache from all the smoke that I inhaled.
Everly was lucky, her door was closed so she didn't inhale much. I sit up and mom lets me.
"How about a shower?" Mom asks and I nod. She pulls out some clothes and leads me to the bathroom.
I stay in there for a long time. Way past the point of being clean.
When I get out, I find food waiting for me. I sit down and force it down. Mom fusses over me before she's forced to leave for the night. I stare at my sleeping daughter, just two years old, and wonder how the hell to tell her about her father.
Closing my eyes, I will sleep to come but all I see is the house on fire. Aiden already dead. I shiver and pull the blanket tighter.
