A Knock at the Window

Chapter 11: Roaring Flames

For a while we just laid there next to the old oak tree. He told me stories about how him and Casey would run around playing hide-and-seek and cops and robbers, and it brought a smile to his face. After telling all the stories he could remember, his smile slowly faded.

Pulling at his arm, I stood up.

"Come on, let's get back on the road."

He looked up at me then proceeded to sit, staring at the burnt building. Suddenly, I had a crazy idea. I walked over to the truck and opened the glove box. A dollar store cigarette lighter laid in the bottom of it and I took it and put it in my pocket. I knelt down beside him, his face still staring at the house.

"Now you are going to zone out?," I questioned, "I'm in this with you now and you are just gonna go zombie mode on me?"

I watched him as he looked at me then turned back. After a brief silence I spoke again.

"Wanna burn a hole in your past?," I said with a smirk.

"Now is not the time for jokes Carly," he said.

"Who said I was joking?," I smiled at him then began walking over to the shed down from the old house. Jake got up from the ground and followed behind me. I opened the wooden doors and searched through the cluttered mess.

"What are you doing?..What are you looking for?," he asked.

"Gasoline." I said still rummaging through the mess.

"What?" he asked puzzled.

A medium size gas can sat in the corner. I picked it up and shook it. Half full, good enough. I headed straight for the poured the gas on what was left of that old wooden front porch.

"Throw it," I said as I stepped back and put the lighter in his hand, "Light it and throw it."

"Carly, you are crazy," he said.

"No I'm not. It'll make you feel better."

I grabbed the lighter out of his hand and pulled a rubberband from my hair. I tied the rubberband around the button so it would stay lit and carefully handed the now fiery lighter to him.

"Throw it." I said again.

He stood there for a moment gazing at the half lived house. His arm drew back and with a quick motion, he released it.

The house roared from the traveling flames as we just stood there and watched. 

Jake reached over for my hand, his eyes still focused on the rising flames. I looked up at him, just as his hand touched mine, he looked down at me. His finger gently lifted up my chin and after a sudden moment of complete silence, he leaned in and kissed me. 

Ive always heard of Fireworks, but this was more; i guess you can say it was Roaring Flames. :)