The Fire

Richard

I have to say I was glad to get the kids to bed. I had to say now to wait for Paul to get home. He should be home in 20 minutes. I sat down at the kitchen table to do some work.

I looked up at the clock and found 2 hours have passed. Paul never walked through the door. I got worried and text him. I got no answer. I was worried. I got up and went to the bedroom for the first time that day. I turned on the light. I found Paul laying in bed. He had black stuff all over his face. I smelled smoke. I cleaned the black stuff off. Why was he home and he had a bandage on his head? What happened and why was he home from work early? I kissed him.

I laid next to him on the bed. He smelled bad. He smelled like fire.
I turned on the TV. The news was on. It was reporting a house fire. It was Till's house and it was a complete loss. It also said one Medic injured. It showed his partner carrying him out of the fire. I looked at Paul. He woke up and was looking at the TV.

He looked up at me. He had tears in his eyes. "Till, is mad at me. He is ok. I tried to call him. He didn't answer. I panicked I thought he was trapped. I ran in and checked all the rooms but, when I got to the last room. I don't remember anything else but Till and Warren say end result was not good."

I knew Warren was his partner. I didn't like were this is going because I now know he was the injured medic. I seen him get up and grab something. Turns out it was crutches. I tried not to think about it. He went to the kitchen. He sat down. I sat at the table with him.

"Are you going to tell me how you broke your leg?"

"I also have seven stitches on my head."

I still tried not to think about it. "Tell me."

"I fell through the floor. I was lucky. This could have been worse."

I could take it no more. I got up. I could not take it anymore. I went out the door and slammed it shut.