The Burning of Evan Deroucy

IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE that Evan Deroucy's father is an alcoholic.

It's common knowledge that Evan Deroucy's mother left when he was only six days old, on the same day her blustery temper smashed in each and every window of his father's house.

It's common knowledge that Evan Deroucy hates fire. Folks think it's something to do with his mother. Folks think it's something to do with his father's line of work as a volunteer firefighter.

After all, his father works magic with fire: He can wade through a field of it in plainclothes and come out unscathed. Evan can do the same, but he can't even look at a lighter without shame and fear curdling in his stomach. His father wants him to follow down the same path, but how can he save lives if he's not brave enough to let himself burn?

No matter how hard he tries, there's always the shame. There's always the fear.

And there's always more fire.