I Want To Live

Chapter Twenty-seven

    The roommates sat in the living room the third week of June, watching the six o’clock news on TV. The meteorologist was predicting sunny weather for the rest of the month. 

    Amy exclaimed, “That’s good news. I’m being sent up to man our fire tower for a few days. It’s our prime lookout during the fire season for spotting early signs of smoke.” Her eyes reflected a dreamy quality. “I love it. There’s always something to do: housekeeping, putting away supplies the helicopter drops off, chopping wood, making sure our radio works, surprise visits from wildlife---and the stars, you wouldn’t believe. On your next day off, Katie, you’ll have to hike up there with me. The view of the mountain range is stupendous.”

    “Breaking news,” said Duane, the Anchorman, with finger against his earpiece. “There’s an active fire at the low-income housing village of Pine Knoll. Our staff reporter is on the scene. “Go ahead, Rick. Tell us what’s happening there?” The video switched to the live feed. Rick stood with microphone in hand. “As you can see behind me, one unit is totally enveloped in flames. The blaze is so hot, fire fighters are having difficulty getting near enough to squelch the blaze. Most residents have managed to vacate the buildings safely, but three in one family are unaccounted for.”

    The camera shot a closeup of blanket-clad people huddling together. Women weeping, trying to allay the panic of small children clinging to them. Men with shocked faces looking on in despair. Firemen directed jets of water from their hoses to the structure under siege. They wet down neighboring apartments in an attempt to prevent the fire from spreading.

    Rick continued his reporting. “Pine Knoll is the acclaimed solution to the homeless problem here in Seattle. The project was spearheaded by Graham Stellarman, a prominent architect. This will be quite a setback to Mayor Davis’s campaign to rid the streets of the destitute.” His attention was directed toward a bus and two vans pulling beside the TV satellite vehicle. “The Red Cross and Salvation Army transports have just arrived. Apparently the Army’s Community Center is going to be the emergency shelter for these poor people, many of whom are in shock. The Village was supposed to be the answer to their prayers.”

    Katie watched Major Angela Goodman in uniform scurrying like a mother hen, guiding the affected people to the transportation vehicles, offering comfort and solace in her wake. Red Cross volunteers wearing identifying vests also helped the displaced persons with compassion and caring. Seeing Angela brought forth memories. I need to let her know how I’m doing. Since leaving Seattle with a newborn, she’d been so preoccupied adapting to her life as a single mom that she could think of nothing else. She looked at Adam contentedly sitting on a baby blanket, fully engrossed in his toys. She would have to send recent pictures of her son in the belated letter to Angela.

    Georgia sat transfixed, tears in her eyes. “I can’t imagine having to experience a tragedy like that. Those poor people. What will they do now?”

    Violet and Amy concurred with her expressed feelings. 

    Rick came back on the air. “I just learned that the apartments didn’t have smoke detectors installed or a ceiling sprinkler system. All new buildings are supposed to have those features according to code. Sounds like some heads are going to roll. Back to you, Duane.”

    That evening Angela savored a calming cup of tea with her husband, Wayne, in the kitchen of their home. “My feet are killing me,” she sighed, kicking off her shoes.

    “It’s no wonder. You’ve been running like an express train since the fire.” He loosened his tie and top buttons of his shirt. “Everyone seems to be settled for the night on cots, with plenty of blankets to keep them warm. They appreciated the sandwiches and hot chocolate we gave them. Tom and Harriet will chaperone the hall tonight. There’ll be a shift change in the morning.” He ran a hand over his balding head. His glasses lay on the table. “I’ll start calling around tomorrow to find temporary placements for them.”

    “I love you, Wayne,” Angela said, placing her hand over his, gazing into his weary eyes. “Something bothered me while making my rounds on the homeless. Passing the Pine Knoll work site I felt the structure was going up too fast. The building material seemed suspiciously cut-rate to me. Couldn’t put my finger on it. Just got this uneasy feeling.”

    Wayne pushed his chair back. “We better head for bed. Got a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”