Pyrophobia

Arsonphobia -9-

Chapter nine

My hands were clammy; my heart was throbbing all the way up my throat and almost jumping out of my mouth. My stomach was flopping and my mind was on overdrive. I could hear the loud student body talking amongst themselves, clueless as to what was about to happen. I tried to take a deep breath, but found myself hyperventilating. The temperature seemed to rise a significant degree.   

“Calm down,” she said, “I’ll go first and then you follow, just like we practiced all night.” I nodded my head as she went in through the gymnasium doors. I heard the whole student body become silent, just before the door shut and my vision was blinded by what was going on in the other room just in front of me.

Not even twenty-four hours ago would I have imagined myself standing here, waiting to go in there and do what I was about to do, well… I should start from the beginning of last night.

When I walked into the house I knew we had company, my mother never cooked. The smell of salmon was in the air, with the faint smell of something citrusy. Soft orchestra music was playing in the background and we had a couple vanilla candles lit in the foyer and hallway. I respectfully placed my shoes where they should go, and went to inspect.

Laughter from the kitchen caught my attention as I slowly opened the door. Smiling brightly at me as I stepped through the door was Mrs. Pennell. She was wearing nice black slacks and a bright red top, with golden leaf earrings; was she going to a Christmas party?

“Hello dear, I called your mom so I could talk to you about something; she invited me over for dinner.” She said, as we walked towards each other to give hugs. I smiled at her and nodded my head in understanding.

“We are having fish for dinner, the table is all set, are we all ready to eat?” My mom asked, grabbing a couple forks out of the drawer. Mrs. Pennell led the way to the dining room table. I looked at my father’s chair and noticed his spot wasn’t set, so he must be having another late night.

After a couple of minutes eating, and mindless chatter going on between my mother and Mrs. Pennell, she turned to me and smiled at me. “Melinda, I have a huge favor to ask you. You might not like it, but you have to listen to me first, alright?” I nodded my head at her and waited for her to continue.

“I have to do a presentation tomorrow. It’s at your school.” I felt myself growing curious as to what she wanted me to do. “I would like it if you, would join me.” I felt my face drain of its color and I froze in my spot; I should have known this would happen soon.

“Now don’t start freaking out. I think you have grown up a lot in the past few years, I think you’re ready to talk about this. Maybe I’m wrong, but what’s a better place to try then your school? Everyone will know who you are; you can be very motivational to almost everyone, especially once they know what you have been through. I already asked your mother if this is alright and if she would help us, she has a couple home videos and pictures we can share tomorrow.” I let this entire situation sink in. I still stayed silent.

“Sweaty, please just try. I heard you went to the counselors, they called me and let me know the day it happened; I think that was a huge step, so why not try another one?” My mother added in trying to persuade me into helping Mrs. Pennell. I have no clue why I did it, but I found myself slowly shaking my head yes, agreeing to help. Let’s just say I haven’t seen her smile this big…. ever. After three hours of practicing what we were going to do tomorrow, she was confident in me that I was ready and went home. I was still in a daze as I got ready for bed, this didn’t feel real, please tell me that I am dreaming.

I found myself practicing, even after she left, into the early hours of the morning. Eventually I fell asleep, without dreaming. I laid in my bed for awhile, wondering if I was feeling sick, but decided I couldn’t chicken out on Mrs. Pennell, and my mother would kill me.