Chapter 3 #2
He was shocked. It hadn’t even occurred to him. “You’re right. The kids were asleep, and they would have been awake if a smoke alarm had gone off. So you think something was wrong?”
“We’re not sure yet. But we’re going to have to check the other buildings in the complex to see if they have any issues. The fire marshal’s office has the right to inspect locations like this, especially after a fire, so that isn’t the issue. We just have to go through proper channels.”
“The walls in that place were always so thin. I had to be careful how loudly I watched the TV at night for fear I’d wake the kids, and they were in another room with the door closed.
I swear it was like the walls weren’t there.
And I can’t tell you how many times the people in one of the other units burned their dinner and we could smell it. ”
“That shouldn’t happen. The units should each be vented separately. What else can you tell me about that place?”
“Like what?”
“It was built fifteen years ago. Did it have GFI outlets?”
“Yeah, but they didn’t do anything.”
“Could you hear your neighbors?” Kevin asked.
Willy scoffed. “All the time. Especially the people below us if they watched television loudly. One of the units had a Christmas party, and I couldn’t put the kids to bed until nearly midnight because it was too loud and they refused to sleep.
I mean, I know that places like that are built quickly, but… .”
Kevin looked up from where he’d been making notes. “None of that should happen. I’m going to need to go to the borough office and pull the plans for that building, see how it was built, because that shouldn’t be.” He set his notes aside. “Are you familiar with that sort of thing?”
“Not really. But if someone explains what we’re looking at, I should be able to tell if it was there or not. At least some things.” He would be happy to try to help. “I suppose a lot of the evidence burned up in the fire.”
“Yeah, it would have, especially with how hot and fast the building went up. From what I saw today in the few minutes I was there, the basement is filled with debris, ash, and charred wood. The entire contents of the building are now a giant heap, with most of the interior walls and floors gone. I’m surprised that the side walls are still standing.
Though if we get a wind storm, they could collapse. ”
“I suppose that’s why you aren’t digging through what’s left.
” Willy put the cookies away. “It makes sense, for safety’s sake.
” He cleared away the rest of the dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
“Why don’t you go on upstairs and take a shower?
The kids are asleep, so be quiet. I would have closed their doors, but each of them has a dog in bed with them. ”
“You can call them out if you feel you need to.”
Willy shook his head. “April has her bear in one arm and the other on Benjamin, and he’s curled between her and the edge of the bed.
Elsa is with Grant. I think the dogs soothe them, and right now, I’m grateful for anything that makes them happy.
” He wasn’t sure what he was going to do when they were in their new apartment; he’d just have to take things one day at a time.
“Last night, Thumper here spent part of the time with me. It was nice knowing I wasn’t alone.
” He left the room, needing a few seconds to himself to get his feelings under control.
They were too close to the surface, and Kevin did not need to see that.
He turned on the television and tried not to pay attention, and Kevin went upstairs.
When Kevin returned, he sat on the sofa near him. “I know this has been hard for you, but I get the feeling there’s more going on than you’re talking about. It’s like you’re going through the motions, but that’s all.”
“What else am I supposed to do? I’m not keeping secrets.
But I keep thinking how close we all came to dying.
I tried to get the kids out of that building, but what if I had been a little later, or if you hadn’t been there to get us?
A few more minutes and all that fire would have come down on us.
” His little family would have been gone.
Kevin nodded slowly and put an arm around him. “I understand how you feel.”
“I know you do because of what happened today. But that only brought home how close we all came to the end. And I’m frightened.
What if we move into the new place and something happens?
What if I can’t get to the kids? What if I hadn’t been able to?
” His entire mind seemed on this loop that wouldn’t shut off, and he didn’t know what to do.
“Okay, first thing, you look a little wild, so close your eyes and take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and then let it out slowly.” Kevin’s voice was so calm that Willy did as he asked and then did it again.
“Let go of all the things that could have happened and think about what did. You got to the kids and tried to get them out of the building. You could have made it out yourself very easily, but April and Grant were more important. The three of you are safe because of what you did. I was coming in to try to find all of you, and there you were right inside the door. I got you all out and away from the building. So you’re all safe because of what you did.
” He took Willy’s hand. “And as for the new place, we are going to make sure that there is a working smoke alarm in every room, fire extinguishers, and that the wiring is done properly. You are all on the first floor, so we’ll also make sure all the windows open and that you know how to get out if you can’t reach the front door. ”
Willy’s panic attack seemed to be abating. “I know we can’t stop everything.”
“No, but we can make sure that you know what to do. Now, it’s unlikely that anything is going to happen, so remember that you and the kids are safe, and that’s what matters.
All the worry about what might have happened is wasted energy, and knowing April and Grant for only a few days, I can tell you that you need all the energy you can get.
” He smiled, and Willy found himself agreeing with him.
Willy was so worn out. He leaned to the side, and Kevin gently tugged him into a hug.
Willy went with it, letting himself be pressed against Kevin’s hard shoulder and chest. This felt so damned good, like nothing bad could happen as long as he was right here.
Slowly, he lifted his head, meeting Kevin’s gaze, which grew heated.
His heart beat faster, and the room grew warmer as anticipation took hold.