by Mary Manners
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?’ Her glance went from them to Cody.
“Hi, honey.” Her father bent to kiss the top of her head. “Your mother and I thought we should come see this house you’ve been so fired up about.”
“Yes, Rena,” her mother continued. “When your dad ran into Cody at the bakery last Thursday, Cody was kind enough to fill him in on the Shelter the Homeless program and give him directions to the dedication here.”
“He was? I mean, he did?”
“Yes. So, here we are.”
Rena pinched herself. She must be dreaming. Nope, the warmth of Cody’s hand in hers, the reassuring glance of his expressive blue eyes, told her this was real.
“I had no idea. He didn’t mention it to me.”
“We asked him not to. We wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, you certainly have. I-I’m really glad you’re here.”
Her mother smiled and squeezed the hand Cody wasn’t sheltering. “We are, too, sweetheart.”
Cody wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her to him. “That’s not all, Rena. Your dad thinks he’d like to help us with the next house. Isn’t that great?”
“You would, Dad? But what about your business...and your traveling? You’ve been gone an awful lot lately.”
“I’ve decided it’s time for a change. I’ve been considering full retirement. Maybe it’s time to put that thought into action. Your mother has agreed to help with food for the workers and interior design of the houses if I help build the structures. It’s something we can be involved in together, and that’s a good thing.”
“But...” A good thing? Her parents were as different from one another as night from day. Or were they?
“Your dad’s phenomenal carpentry skills will really cut down on the building time.” Cody picked up the lull in conversation. Rena’s mind still reeled, rendering her speechless. “We’ll be able to finish the houses faster, and provide homes for more families.”
“What about funding?”
Cody smirked. “I think I just happen to know someone who rocks in that department. She can also swing a hammer, tell amazing stories, and teach kids to read.”
“Hmm...I can’t imagine who that might be.” She turned to her parents and hugged both of them. “This is wonderful news. I’m thrilled you want to help.” She knew their unity on the issue was a sign the rift in their marriage was on the mend. She sent up a silent praise.
Pastor Marcus turned from the house entrance to face the crowd. A hush fell, leaving only the sound of a breeze whispering through the trees and distant traffic on the highway.
“Thank you all so much for gathering this beautiful morning. Due to your faithful and dedicated service, we have completed this house nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. It is the third of what we hope to be many, many more homes for our Shelter the Homeless program. A young couple and their two daughters now have a place to call home again, because of your generosity. The green ribbon we’re about to cut symbolizes life—a new beginning.” He gazed across the crowd, beaming. “Now, all we need is a volunteer to cut the ribbon.”
Cody nudged Rena gently forward. “Go on,” he urged.
Pastor Marcus’s eyes settled on her. “Ah, Rena, you’re just the person we need. Come take the scissors and do the honors.”
His smile was all the encouragement she needed. She grasped the scissors and snipped, and the ribbon fell away, allowing entrance to the house. A cheer went up.
“Good job, Rena.” The look in her mother’s eyes was even more stunning than her tears, or news of a possible divorce. It was pride. And it nearly undid Rena.
Pastor Marcus took over. “Now let’s enjoy the celebration cake Kyle and Kelsie brought.”
They sat together at folding tables set up in the front yard, eating white cake with sugary vanilla icing and sipping sweet iced tea.
“How’s the morning sickness?” Rena asked Kelsie, who barely nibbled the cake.
“It’s knocked me for a loop. But it’s beginning to ease a little.” She took a tentative sip of tea.
“Yeah,” Kyle threw in his two cents. “Now she only gets sick twice a day instead of half-a-dozen.”
“Only in the late afternoon, usually.” Kelsie groaned. “I have no idea why it’s called morning sickness. I feel fine in the morning. And it’s only supposed to last the first three months and here I am, well into my fourth.” She rubbed her rounding belly. “Go figure.”
“Have you tried crackers and hot tea?” Rena’s mother asked. “That always worked for me. I’d take some as soon as I felt the nausea coming on and the combination would usually ease the chaos in my belly.”
Rena gaped. Her mother was actually sharing advice with Kelsie, offering help. She sent up a silent prayer that this change in her mother was permanent.
“I’ll try that.” Kelsie managed a smile. “Thanks for the suggestion, Mrs. Dunigan.”
“So, Cody,” Rena’s dad broke in. “What’s this I hear about your architectural design for an addition to the recreation center?”
“We’re planning an expansion to the building as soon as funding is in place. Which should happen soon, considering the fantastic job Rena’s done organizing all the activities.”
“We’re hosting a concert next weekend,” Kyle elaborated. “Dive into Grace is scheduled to play pro-bono. We should pull in some huge funding.”
“And,” Cody picked up, “Rena has secured at least half-a-dozen major local business contributors, which have pledged a tidy sum of money, as well as dozens of smaller contributors. She’s really gone all out on this.”
“Perhaps her mother and I can lend a hand on that project as well,” her father offered. “We have connections in the field of construction. We may be able to call in a few favors.”
“That would be great, Mr. Dunigan. What do you say we discuss it over a round of golf?”
“That’s music to my ears.” He clapped Cody on the back. “Tomorrow afternoon?”
“Sure. I’ll meet you at the clubhouse.”
“Bring your game, son. We’ll see just what you’re made of.”
Sunshine warmed Rena like an embrace as she followed the conversation. She knew what Cody was made of, and it was simply amazing.
****
“How in the world are you going to manage a game of golf with my dad?” Rena asked on the ride home. “I thought you didn’t like golf.”
“I can learn to like it. And I’ve played enough to get by.”
“Well, I’m sure with my father for a partner you’ll get more of an education than you bargained for.”
“And I’ll enjoy every minute.”
“Sure you will. And the moon is made of cheese.”
“Speaking of the moon and cheese, what’s the theme of story hour next week? I’m thinking about bringing Seth again.”
“We’re going to learn about community helpers. I’m going to have an ambulance, a police cruiser and a fire truck. The kids will get a chance to sit in the vehicles and run the sirens.”
“Seth will love that. Count us in.”
It had been a big step for Rena to contact the fire chief with a request to bring the truck. Just the thought of that massive, crimson vehicle brought back nearly unbearable memories of the night Allie had died. But in the end, Rena had decided it wasn’t fair to deny the children an experience that would undoubtedly enrich their lives. So she’d gone ahead with the plan to have the vehicles come the following Monday.
Cody parked in the driveway and drew her into his arms. The sky was cloudless, and the full moon spilled light over them.
“Cody, I...”
“Wait.” He dipped his head and kissed her until they were both breathless. “I’ve wanted to do that all day.”
Her heart became a galloping mare. “Me, too. But we shouldn’t.” How could she explain what she felt? How could she make him understand the amazing, incredible, wonderful...and terrifying roller coaster he’d set i
nto motion inside her?
“Nonsense.” He calmed her with another gentle kiss, followed by the touch of a finger to her tingling lips. “Maybe while I’m at the library with Seth on Monday, I can help you tame the wild masses.”
“That would be nice.” She pressed her cheek against his T-shirt and inhaled the scent of his aftershave. “We should have a huge turn-out.”
“Who knows, maybe we’ll get a real call.” He said it with the innocence of a person who’d never experienced one. “Wouldn’t that be exciting?”
“No.” Rena shivered. “I certainly hope not.”
****
The library was filled to bursting, with kids crawling over one another in the story area. Word of Rena’s creative storytelling techniques, coupled with news of the emergency-response vehicles, had brought preschoolers out in droves. Cody hadn’t arrived yet, which worried Rena. He was never late.
“Rena, there’s a call for you.” Marie held the receiver at the check-out desk.
“Please, take a message. I need to get started here. We’re about to have an all-out riot.”
“It’s Cody.”
“Oh.” Worry balled in the pit of her belly. “Will you take over here for a minute? Walk the children out to the parking lot and have them sit on the grass near the curb, single file, OK?”
“Sure. I’ve got it under control.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right out.”
She took the phone. “Hello, Cody. Is everything OK?”
“No.” His worried voice slid over the line. “I’m sorry, Rena, but I’m not going to be able to make it. The school called with Jackson sick and I had to run and pick him up. Jeanne’s in meetings all day, and I already have Seth with me, so it’s silly for her to leave work.”
“Is Jackson OK? Is it serious?”
“Just a fever and a stomach bug. He’ll be fine. He’s sleeping now, and Seth and I are about to haul out the Legos. He’s really bummed about missing story hour, so I’m trying to cheer him up.”
“I can drop by when I’m finished and read the story for him. It’s not the same as climbing on the equipment, but I’ll do my best to entertain.”
“He’d like that, Rena. I’ll tell him.”
She glanced out the window and saw the army of kids waiting for her. An ambulance pulled in and she cringed as the horn blared. “I’ve got to go now, but I’ll come around noon, OK?”
“Great. We can have lunch together. I’ll fire up a frozen pizza and see you then.”
Rena went out to the parking lot where kids were sprawled across the grass eagerly waiting for the program to start. A gleaming, freshly waxed police cruiser thrilled. Each child sat shotgun and got to speak into the radio and turn on the siren. The squeal drew shoppers from the bakery across the street to come have a look.
But the real excitement started when a massive fire truck pulled into the lot, its siren wailing. The firefighter parked the gigantic vehicle, then hopped down in full gear and invited each child onto the truck to run the siren. Each shriek stirred painful memories, yet Rena endured until every child had a turn.
When the crowd finally dispersed, Jilly hung back, as usual.
“Can I honk the horn again, Miss Rena?” She gazed up with such a pleading look Rena couldn’t refuse.
“Just once more.”
“I like it way up here. I can see everything!”
“That’s important,” one of the firefighters patiently explained. “When we’re rushing to an emergency, we want to get there fast without hurting anyone on the way. We need to see all the cars and streets clearly.”
“So no one dies, right?”
The words startled Rena. So no one dies...
The radio suddenly squawked as a distress call came in. Rena listened to the address, and her heart leapt into her throat. It sounded like Jeanne’s house.
“I’m sorry, Miss Dunigan.” The firefighter’s dark eyes held an air of urgency. “We have to go.”
Rena grabbed Jilly from the driver’s seat and quickly handed the girl to her mother. Then she vaulted from the truck and raced to her car, her heart pounding. If the address was Jeanne’s, she had to get there fast.
Light the Fire
18
The kitchen was a battleground of scorched walls covered in a mushroom cloud of smoke. Sickly-gray water stains splattered across an expanse of ceiling above the burned-out stove. The putrid smell of damp ashes overwhelmed. Soot stained the tile floor, coupled with thick foam debris from a fire extinguisher.
Rena’s head reeled as she gaped at the mess. Cold chills crawled up her spine.
She heard Seth’s cries from the living room and she went to him. He squirmed in Cody’s lap while the paramedics treated burns on his fingers and wrist.
“I-I don’t know how it happened.” Cody seemed dazed, and Rena knew from experience the signs of an oncoming case of shock. She knelt beside him, and rubbed his back to soothe. “I was making some soup for Jackson. I had just switched the burner on and set the pot to boil. Then Seth and I went into the living room to clean up the Legos. Jackson started to cry, so I ran upstairs to check on him. I figured he got sick again. He’s been doing that a lot today. Next thing I know, Sammy’s barking like crazy and Seth’s screaming this bloodcurdling scream like I’ve never heard before. I raced into the kitchen to find him running in circles with his shirt sleeve on fire. The whole stove was engulfed in flames, and I thought Seth was going to get caught in it. I tried to tackle him, but before I could get to him, Sammy knocked him down and sat on him. That put the flames out. I carried Seth out of the kitchen, and then went back in to put out the fire. But it was too late. The flames had spread to the ceiling. They were roaring.”
“Well, aside from a few minor burns on his wrist and thumb, this little guy is fine.” The paramedic applied an ice pack. “It’s a good thing he was wearing a sweatshirt over his long-sleeved shirt. He’s just had a good scare, that’s all. Your dog’s a hero.”
“I didn’t hear the smoke detector. Why didn’t I hear it?” Cody’s blue eyes were huge and round.
“You didn’t hear it because the batteries are dead.” Ryan, the firefighter who had helped with story hour, came ambling into the room, holding the melted plastic casing. “Most likely been dead for a while.”
Rena felt the muscles along Cody’s back go taut. He was working himself into a real state of distress as Seth whimpered against his chest. “I should have checked them for Jeanne. I just didn’t think.”
“It’s not your fault,” she murmured, “You can’t think of everything, Cody.”
“But I should think of the important stuff, and this was important.” Cody balled one hand into a fist and punched the couch cushion. “I should’ve never taken my eyes off Seth. He says when he tried to pour the soup into a bowl, he got the potholder stuck in the burner flame. He was just trying to help.”
At the mention of his name, Seth whimpered. “I want Mama.”
“Have you called her, Cody?” Rena grasped his hand and soothed the fist until it loosened. “Does she know yet?”
His face went ashen. “No.” He sheltered Seth in strong arms and slowly shook his head.
“I’ll do it. Just hang onto Seth. He needs you now.” She stroked soot from Cody’s cheek and kissed him gently. “Give me your cell phone.”
Cody reached into his pocket, and then handed it to her. “Check the contact list. Her work number’s there.”
Rena bowed her head to collect her emotions. Her throat was tight with the urge to cry. The smells, the smoke and ashes, brought everything rushing back. Rena felt the room swim, but fought the urge to give into grief by drawing a deep, cleansing breath.
She located Jeanne’s work number in the contact list and hit the send button. It took three transfers before she finally heard Jeanne’s voice.
“Cody? Is Jackson OK?”
“It’s Rena, and Jackson’s fine. He’s…sleeping.” He was huddled on the couch beside Cody and S
eth, and had somehow managed to fall back into a fitful sleep among the chaos. A light touch to his forehead told Rena his fever still raged. She stroked damp hair from his face and tucked a quilt around is tiny shoulders.
“Rena? What’s going on there? Is Cody OK? Are the boys OK?”
She chose her words carefully. “Everyone’s OK, Jeanne. Seth’s had a little scare, but he’s fine.”
“What kind of scare?” Her voice took on a frantic tone. “Rena, you’re frightening me. Please, tell me what’s going on.”
“There’s been a bit of a fire, but it’s out. It was the stove, Jeanne.” Words tumbled out as she quickly explained. “Cody’s pretty torn up. He feels just awful. But everyone’s OK. I promise.”
“I’ll be right home. Thank you so much, Rena. Thank you for being there.”
The living room was quiet. The paramedics and firefighters had gone. Rena handed the phone back to Cody, who was sprawled on the couch. He had soothed Seth to sleep in his arms.
“Jeanne’s on her way.”
Cody’s expression was pained. “I don’t know how I’m going to face her, Rena.”
“Seth’s going to be fine and the kitchen can be fixed, Cody. It’s just plaster and paint. And Jeanne mentioned how she’s wanted a new stove.” She brushed a smudge of soot from his cheek and leaned in to kiss the pain from his eyes. “Come on. Let’s go clean up a little so Jeanne won’t come home to such a mess. It will help take your mind off things.”
“I should stay with Seth. I don’t want to let him go.”
“He’s sleeping. He’s cried himself out.” She reached for the quilt Jeanne kept draped over the back of the couch. “Lay Seth down and I’ll cover him. Come on, Cody. He’s OK.”
“I can’t let go of him.”
“You can.” She knew Cody should keep moving, keep busy, and not dwell on what might have happened. “I’ll help you.”
She took Seth from Cody’s arms. He squirmed as she settled him on the couch and covered him with the quilt, but soon sighed into a dream, popping a thumb into his puckered mouth.
