Fire

I just never know what is going to happen on the ‘Ridge. Tonight, I was talking on the phone with my dad (or at least trying to talk with the o-so-sketch-reception) when I heard a knock on my door. My students come by every so often so I thought it was one brave enough to try to get in. Reluctantly, I opened the door to find Dave, a fifth grader and the brother of one of my 3rd graders—not from my home room, though. She is a real sweety and hangs out frequently in my classroom after school with Hannah Montana. She is the one that Hannah Montana called ‘black trash’ during one of their fights.

Anyway, Dave said his grandmother was wondering if they could use my truck as they were in trouble. Something about a fire. I threw my coat on and ran downstairs. I pieced together this story.

Last night, a gentleman was repairing the water heater in their trailer. Suddenly, the water heater exploded creating a flash fire. The force of the explosion was so great that it blew a part of the wall out. There were holes all in the ceiling where the debris had been blasted. The were more smoke than flames, but a fire did start. Dave, being a twelve-year-old boy, foolishly ran back for his x-box. He and his grandmother had to go to Rapid City to be treated for smoke inhalation. She had a heart attack on the way and ended up fighting for her life as her heart rate dropped to around 40. He was given oxygen to treat his smoke inhalation.

As I helped them move some of their valuables to their new apartment, which is conveniently located directly below me, I was numb with shock. Even now, as I regain feeling in my limbs from loading and unloading in the pouring, my mind is still reeling. What if B and her little sister had been there instead of at a Pow-Wow in Rapid? What if they had been seriously hurt? What if they had died?

I am feeling kind of heavy as the smell of smoke clings to my clothes. This place is so frightening at times. Death is no stranger to these people. And I am afraid. I am afraid that one day someone will knock on my door and tell me that one of my students is dead. It could have been B this time.

Thank you Father for protecting those children. Please, please continue to shelter them in the shadow of Your wings.

B