Father figure

Neither building had any occupants luckily. The large flaming tree engulfed my childhood home. I tried to push back the thoughts of grief as my fathers remaining materials vanished. Though many of his belongings and fire service patches were hun in shadow boxes in my home, I felt that all the undiscovered treasures for him would be lost forever. Flames licked along the sides of the house. Exterior attack would save very little of the house if anything and when I was required to suppress the flames I felt there was no hope. After six thousand gallons, flames turned to ash and smoke, and smoldering embers ceased. It was a small sigh of relief. Both buildings still stood, though never livable again, the damage was no where near what it could have been. Mutual aid left as soon as the embers dwindled. It felt surreal. I stared longingly at the buildings. I wanted to know why, how, I wanted to scream. Suddenly my feet began to move. The first house had been on the market for over four months. I walked to the back of the open gate. In the back yard, it was evident there was a large unkept deck, and it's center a warped metal fire pit. I carefully made my way over the unstable ashen wood that once was a deck. As I stepped closer I could see weird circular shapes encased in a melted plastic shape. As I looked closer I could see they were white tablets, almost like the ones people use in pools. The plastic was gooey and black. It bubbled pitifully against the sides of the fire pit. I found it odd that of all things to find in a fire pit chlorine and plastic where it. It made me feel as if this fire was intentional.

I turned around slowly. Looking at the fire from all angles, as I did, I noticed a large frame of what once was a trellis. It's blacked and dilapidated state suggested that it once held overgrown vines. I could also see that the dried vines and entangled themselves in most of the yard, including the tree. I estimated the tree engulfed soon after the trellis like and with a long wick. The tree, though extremely large also showed signs of death. It was covered in an extremely common fungus for tropical areas. The grass like textured moss singed from flame covered its trunk. The middle part of the tree fell in on itself which sent it falling into my mother's home at a ninety degree angle. Branches protruded from ever corner of the attic. Though the attic was completely destroyed most of the house was fine. Some areas the flaming tree touched were crisped but otherwise fine. Sill there wouldn't be much left of anything. I had a feeling a lot of the interior was ravaged by the impact. I felt I had a feed for the fire now. I turned back to look in the fire pit.

"Whatcha up to kid," a familiar voice said seriously," Did you phone your mother?" Randy put his arm around me supportively. I turned to him and hugged him. He stood awkwardly surprised for a moment as I hardly ever gave or accepted hugs, but placed his other hand around me and squeezed.

"I haven't had the courage yet," I said softly into his chest. Hugging him felt like hugging my father. Though I felt it unfair to Randy to always compare the two, I was happy to have someone fill this spot for a fleeting moment. Of course I would give anything for my real dad to give me a hug like this.

"Well you need to tell her so she can come back and get things in order. Don't want her to lose more than she has to. Besides you need the support. You should have her stay with you too so she has someone to take care of her." He released me and I looked up at him. His white hair looked snowy beneath the sun and matched his mustache perfectly. His eyes a dull brown always appeared deep in thought.

"You're right. Hey did you see this fire pit? Those white things look like chlorine tablets," I said pointing, I looked down for quick moment and returned to Smith's face. For a second his face twisted in disgust but he quickly flashed a smile. His whiskers stretch with his lips and too dimples appeared deep in his cheeks.

"What you saying, sweetheart," his tone sounded off, as if he felt my evidence was insignificant.

"Well it's probably nothing, I just thought it was a weird combination for a fire pit." I said it truthfully however, I still felt that this fire wasn't an accident.

"Oh it's not that weird, homeless people always throw random shit into their fire pits. They don't even look at the trash they're throwing in. It does look like chlorine but it's better to get it tested before assuming. I'll take it into consideration. You don't have to worry kiddo. I will make this my top priority. Now go call your mom and make sure she comes back safely." He said brightly. I always adored how sweetly he treated my mom. Though I like Tom, I still wish Randy would have married my mom.

"I'll go take care of it. I'm so tired from all of my emotions. I think Captain will send me straight home. Especially since," I looked at my watch,

"Shift change is in two hours. I'll let you get on with your work. Thank you." I smiled warmly at him and he too returned a warm smile. Now was the time I dreaded most. I knew if I got it over with by ripping the bandaid off I could relax.

I puked my phone out of the rescue and turned it over in my hand. I tapped it to have the screen pop up. I had her on speed dial but I typed her number instead. I was stalling. The phone began to ring softly. Don't answer I thought, just enjoy your last moments of bliss, don't answer.