Sleeping on the Floor

1. Mendel Mansion is burning down

A beautiful catastrophe - that's exactly what it is. Devouring everything in it's path with no remorse. Ripping apart years of growth, memories and happiness. Branders crash to the ground and the crackling sound of burning wood fills the air. Flames rage higher than the palm trees my grandmother planted as a child and the red is bright enough to light up the neighbourhood.

Through all this rage and anger, though, it has a sense of majesty. It stands tall with pride and the flames dance around their victims so elegantly and gracefully. It's strong, sure of itself and I can't help but adore the very fire that is ruining my life.

I sit on the short-kept green grass next to the winding cobblestone walkway and stare up at the 180 year old mansion. Flames entangle themselves around the bones of the architectural artwork. The roof is ash, most of it now sits at the feet of the firemen. Toby's room is completely burnt barre the antique crib and the few teddy bears we managed to save. The entire left portion of the house has now been consumed and the previously pale yellow walls are now brown with dust and burns.

2 hours later I remain unmoved. 2 rooms on the left side of the bottom floor are no longer there and the staircase is visible from outside, half the second floor is now ash and on the third floor, only the main room still stands. The firemen are extinguishing the last flames on the second floor. The beast is tamed and dying.

"She was a beaut wasn't she?"
I turn to the voice in confusion and realise it's one of the firegihters. He walks toward me and takes a seat next to me, staying clear of the halo created by the blanket draped over me.
"I mean, I know this is your home but you've been staring at it in awe all night."

I chuckle a little at his honesty. "Yeah I guess you're right," I reply. I rest my head on my knees that are tucked under my chin.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?" I ask teasingly.

"Nah, the boys up there are just finishing the last and I've packed everything I need to so I'm done for the night. I'm Theo, by the way."

I extend a hand. "Carla."

"So, Carla, you want to tell me how this fire started?"

"My parents weren't here and I was using a gas lamp in the kitchen while I was making dinner. I accidentally knocked it over and it caught the curtain, I couldn't do anything to stop it."

"Okay, well, it all adds up. I'm really sorry you had to go through this, hopefully the best comes of it." He pauses for a moment, "Just one last thing: is your breathing fine? You've been sitting here for a while and smoke inhalation is a real danger."

"I'm good, thank you." I tell him with a soft smile to show I that really I am fine. He smiles back and hops up to leave. "Nice meeting you, Carla!" He yells over his shoulder as he jogs away and I can't help but let out a small laugh.

I stay sitting for a little while longer before pulling myself up and heading toward my distraught family. They understand that I prefer to be alone sometimes, especially times like this. They're pretty cool. My mom, Jennifer, basically tramples me when I come into her line of sight. Things like, "Oh, my baby, I'm so glad you're safe!" and "Don't worry we're all okay now," and "It's not your fault at all!" come pouring out her mouth like an overflowing waterfall.  She squeezes me and holds me in her arms but I shrug her off after a few seconds. 

"I'm fine, mom, really." I say and squeeze her hands before walking to my dad, Greg, who is holding Toby. He drops his hand onto my shoulder, his eyes full of understanding, "Nothing we can't fix," he says and pulls me in for a hug. 

I'm not really an emotional person but I guess when you're the reason your home burned down, things can get pretty intense. For the first time, the reality sinks in - all my clothes, books, birthday letters, framed pictures, childhood teddybears - everything is gone. I feel a crack run through my heart and it aches. A tear wells up in the corner of my eye. "I'm sorry," I whisper into my dad's shoulder. He kisses my head, something he does when he wants me to know that everything is okay. 

I look up to see Toby. He's looking at me with his confused baby face and he reaches out so I take him from my dad. Being the very practical man he is, Greg starts explaining what will happen from here on out. 

"I've called the lawyer, I'm meeting with him first thing in the morning to discuss insurance. The fire department said damages can just be built onto so I've inquired a construction company for tomorrow afternoon. For now, we'll stay at Rigby Manor. I estimate it'll take about one and a half to two months before we can move back in." 

My mom, who's been nodding her head and whimpering the entire time, gives a final nod. "Greg you're amazing! We'll all get through this as a family."  She goes to hug him. I stare blankly and nod before automatically joining the hug with Toby in my arms. 

We stay together for  while before dad pulls away. He's been called by a firefighter, the last of them. I turn to see what they're talking about when a pair of headlights pull up. Gemma and John Rigby jump out and run toward me. Gemma jumps onto me and John wraps his arms around us both. Gem breaks away.

"I don't think you understand how stressed we were! Like John got back from his run and we hear this HUGE crash as he walks in from the back door and we kind of figure out it's coming from Mendel Mansion so we sprint to the window and as we get there, this ENORMOUS flame just tears through the roof. So I'm like 'John call the fire department' but obviously this confuses the fam so they all run to the window to see, even Grandma Jolene, can you believe that? And then your mom breaks into hysteria and your dad tells John to come look before he calls some important sounding people and runs up here all at the same time while Toby and Sal are like, completely oblivious and-" 

"I think she gets it, Gem." John cuts her off, he can see I'm upset. 

Gemma takes my hand in hers, "I'm really sorry, babe, but look on the bright side, as difficult as it is, me and you get to be roommates for the next two months!" she smirks at me and I finally smile. 

We hop into John's car; he and I in the front and Gem and the boys in the back. We roll up to dad and I call him over. "I just spoke to the fire department, they managed to save quite a bit. Maybe in the morning you, Gem and John can sort through it?" 

"Okay sure. Will you be at breakfast?"

"No, I don't think so. The meeting with the lawyer is pretty early. You all heading back now?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty tired." 

"Oh absolutely, go get some rest my love." He leans in and kisses my cheek. 

"Night, Dad. Love you."

"I love you too, Sweetie." He says as he backs away from the car.

"Night Mr. Mendel!" Gemma and John call in unison.

"Goodnight kids!"