Folks, I hope you love this story as much as I did–I know Daisy from around the net, where her sense of humor and her snark have already made me a fan!
The Time My House Burned Down
(Otherwise known as the inspiration behind From The Ashes)
Hi, Amy Lane Readers!
Since Amy is out of town this week, she’s kindly allowed me
to hang out on her blog to entertain you with my stories. Like Amy, I’m an
author of MM Romance and I have kids. Unlike Amy, I don’t knit.
to hang out on her blog to entertain you with my stories. Like Amy, I’m an
author of MM Romance and I have kids. Unlike Amy, I don’t knit.
Knitting failures aside, if you’re happy to hear a story of
loss and redemption, pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea and chill a while. I’ll
tell you about the time my house burned down. Believe me, it’s a doozy.
loss and redemption, pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea and chill a while. I’ll
tell you about the time my house burned down. Believe me, it’s a doozy.
So, where to begin? I could start at the chronological
beginning when I was chauffeuring three kids around town and received a phone
call from a neighbor that my house was on fire. Or I could start closer to the
end, when I struggled to come up with a story idea, and realized—WAIT!—I can
totally write a story about a firefighter, because I had a house fire once.
beginning when I was chauffeuring three kids around town and received a phone
call from a neighbor that my house was on fire. Or I could start closer to the
end, when I struggled to come up with a story idea, and realized—WAIT!—I can
totally write a story about a firefighter, because I had a house fire once.
The first starting point is depressing, while the second is
funny. But in the interest of keeping the time-space continuum intact, I’ll
start from the beginning.
funny. But in the interest of keeping the time-space continuum intact, I’ll
start from the beginning.
One sunny summer Sunday in 2008, I was driving home with my
2 year old and 5 year old daughters, and their six year old friend, when a
neighbor called to tell me my house was on fire.
2 year old and 5 year old daughters, and their six year old friend, when a
neighbor called to tell me my house was on fire.
Luckily, I was only a few blocks away. I say luckily, because driving any further
than a few blocks would have been dangerous with my vision blurred from stress
and my hands shaking on the wheel. By then, I could do nothing about the candle
I’d left burning on an upstairs dresser four hours earlier.
than a few blocks would have been dangerous with my vision blurred from stress
and my hands shaking on the wheel. By then, I could do nothing about the candle
I’d left burning on an upstairs dresser four hours earlier.
(And yes, as soon as I heard of the fire, I remembered that
candle. Have you ever wanted to turn back time so badly you almost believed you
could do it with the force of your mind? Well, that’s exactly how I felt.)
candle. Have you ever wanted to turn back time so badly you almost believed you
could do it with the force of your mind? Well, that’s exactly how I felt.)
I got home to find firefighters running in and out of my
house, my belongings being flung out windows, police and half the neighborhood
standing around and watching my top floor go up in flames.
house, my belongings being flung out windows, police and half the neighborhood
standing around and watching my top floor go up in flames.
I wish I could tell you I was sad, or that I felt angst over
the tragic loss of my kids’ baby clothes. But the main thought that ran through
my mind as I wandered into the street was, “My husband is going to kill me.”
the tragic loss of my kids’ baby clothes. But the main thought that ran through
my mind as I wandered into the street was, “My husband is going to kill me.”
Maybe other people react differently. Hell, I’m sure other
people react differently. The only things I could think of were, “Oh, fuck!” “Oh,
damn!” and “Oh, shit!” The kids? I have no idea. I was in too much shock to
think about them. They certainly weren’t crying, at least not yet, because they
were just as confused as I was.
people react differently. The only things I could think of were, “Oh, fuck!” “Oh,
damn!” and “Oh, shit!” The kids? I have no idea. I was in too much shock to
think about them. They certainly weren’t crying, at least not yet, because they
were just as confused as I was.
Somehow, people took care of me. My neighbors watched my
kids and held my hand while I talked to the police. The woman who lived in the
house behind us let me come inside to make phone calls. She even pet-sat my dog
so I could stay at a friend’s house until we found something permanent.
kids and held my hand while I talked to the police. The woman who lived in the
house behind us let me come inside to make phone calls. She even pet-sat my dog
so I could stay at a friend’s house until we found something permanent.
The thing people don’t realize about a house fire is how
quickly one’s concerns shift from “Oh my God, my stuff!” to “Shit, I have no
stuff.” I may have had a sentimental attachment to my kids’ slide bed, but no clean underwear jumped to the top of
my concerns pretty darn fast.
quickly one’s concerns shift from “Oh my God, my stuff!” to “Shit, I have no
stuff.” I may have had a sentimental attachment to my kids’ slide bed, but no clean underwear jumped to the top of
my concerns pretty darn fast.
I was a wreck that day, and honestly, I can’t tell you
everything that happened. I have a vague recollection of my in-laws driving
down from Bellingham to make sure me and the kids were okay and to take us out
to dinner. I know I slept in my best friend’s nightgown because I didn’t have
any clothes.
everything that happened. I have a vague recollection of my in-laws driving
down from Bellingham to make sure me and the kids were okay and to take us out
to dinner. I know I slept in my best friend’s nightgown because I didn’t have
any clothes.
My husband was on a boat in Alaska when the fire happened,
and until he came back, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the neighborhood. I’d
drive to the top of Capitol Hill, have a panic attack, and decide that whatever
it was I needed I could get within a mile of “home.”
and until he came back, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the neighborhood. I’d
drive to the top of Capitol Hill, have a panic attack, and decide that whatever
it was I needed I could get within a mile of “home.”
Only the top floor burned. Most of our first floor
belongings were salvageable, as were the things in the basement. We couldn’t
live there, though, as there was too much charring. You know how they say it
pays to be connected? Well, it does, because some friends of ours had a small
guest cottage we could stay in for a week, a place nicer than our actual house.
belongings were salvageable, as were the things in the basement. We couldn’t
live there, though, as there was too much charring. You know how they say it
pays to be connected? Well, it does, because some friends of ours had a small
guest cottage we could stay in for a week, a place nicer than our actual house.
I wish we could have stayed there the whole time it took to
rebuild, but our friends had guests coming, so I managed to find us a rental
place nearby. Second words of wisdom—it pays to have good insurance! Allstate
covered the repairs to our home, paid our rent… No one re-emburses much for
clothes and bedding. But expenses? Allstate was golden. They even covered the
cost of movers to come in and pack up our stuff.
rebuild, but our friends had guests coming, so I managed to find us a rental
place nearby. Second words of wisdom—it pays to have good insurance! Allstate
covered the repairs to our home, paid our rent… No one re-emburses much for
clothes and bedding. But expenses? Allstate was golden. They even covered the
cost of movers to come in and pack up our stuff.
All’s well that ends well. Sort of. I got offered a new job
a couple weeks later, so that was good. But I hated the job, so that was bad.
a couple weeks later, so that was good. But I hated the job, so that was bad.
The real benefit of having a house fire was that I learned
something important about myself: namely, that I needed a break.
something important about myself: namely, that I needed a break.
I’d been taking care of kids almost non-stop for six years.
My husband travelled for work. I barely had enough daycare to cover the hours I
needed for my job, and had often worked while simultaneously watching toddlers.
My husband travelled for work. I barely had enough daycare to cover the hours I
needed for my job, and had often worked while simultaneously watching toddlers.
The story truly started the night before the fire: I’d been
alone with the children for two weeks. In summer, so no school. The kids had
had a friend sleep over the night before and both my kids had gotten sick and
thrown up. Unfortunately, since the extra child at our house lived across town,
I was too tired to drive her home.
alone with the children for two weeks. In summer, so no school. The kids had
had a friend sleep over the night before and both my kids had gotten sick and
thrown up. Unfortunately, since the extra child at our house lived across town,
I was too tired to drive her home.
In the morning when my kids asked to play spa, I grabbed a
candle, put it in a cup, lit a match, and…
candle, put it in a cup, lit a match, and…
Yeah.
Seriously bad things happen when mommy is overworked. Now I
fear missing sleep almost as much as I worry about accidents. All it takes is
one match, and a moment of distraction.
fear missing sleep almost as much as I worry about accidents. All it takes is
one match, and a moment of distraction.
To this day, I hate leaving my house empty, and have to
fight off waves of anxiety any time I take a trip. But I’ve never let myself
get that run down since. I sleep eight hours a night, and use babysitters
liberally. I’ve given up worrying about what I “should” be able to handle, and
focus on understanding what I “can” handle.
fight off waves of anxiety any time I take a trip. But I’ve never let myself
get that run down since. I sleep eight hours a night, and use babysitters
liberally. I’ve given up worrying about what I “should” be able to handle, and
focus on understanding what I “can” handle.
So some other mom works full time AND coaches soccer AND
blow dries her hair every day and shaves her legs more than once a month? Well,
good for her. I’m happy for her. I really am. I, on the other hand, am going to
get myself a cup of tea and watch The Rachel Zoe Project before my kids come
home from school.
blow dries her hair every day and shaves her legs more than once a month? Well,
good for her. I’m happy for her. I really am. I, on the other hand, am going to
get myself a cup of tea and watch The Rachel Zoe Project before my kids come
home from school.
In the end, I’m happy my house burned down. It made me the
person I am today—someone with better boundaries and a stronger sense of self.
Sometimes we all need our lives shaken up a little.
person I am today—someone with better boundaries and a stronger sense of self.
Sometimes we all need our lives shaken up a little.
In my upcoming novel, From
the Ashes, my hero Jesse’s house burns down, and I wonder whether readers
will question how he reacts. Perhaps readers will think, “Well, if it were my
house on fire, I’d do X, Y, Z.” But I’m not sure how many of those potential
critics will have experienced such a disaster firsthand.
the Ashes, my hero Jesse’s house burns down, and I wonder whether readers
will question how he reacts. Perhaps readers will think, “Well, if it were my
house on fire, I’d do X, Y, Z.” But I’m not sure how many of those potential
critics will have experienced such a disaster firsthand.
Maybe readers will feel Jesse bounces back too quickly, when
they would have rolled into the fetal position and rocked in hysterics for a
few days before being functional. To that, I say—the basics: food, shelter…it’s
pretty hard to ignore those things for long, no matter how upset you are.
they would have rolled into the fetal position and rocked in hysterics for a
few days before being functional. To that, I say—the basics: food, shelter…it’s
pretty hard to ignore those things for long, no matter how upset you are.
And sex? That first night after the fire, I would have given
a lot for a sexy, mysterious firefighter to keep me warm.
a lot for a sexy, mysterious firefighter to keep me warm.
I’ll close with a clip from the start of From the Ashes, but first, let me share
some advice.
some advice.
1.
Homeowners/renter’s insurance. You want this.
Homeowners/renter’s insurance. You want this.
2.
Your friends and family will come through for
you better than you could possibly imagine, but it pays to know people with a
guesthouse. J
Your friends and family will come through for
you better than you could possibly imagine, but it pays to know people with a
guesthouse. J
3.
Child care. Yes, child care. If you’re a mom,
you need rest, and there is a real cost to running yourself ragged.
Child care. Yes, child care. If you’re a mom,
you need rest, and there is a real cost to running yourself ragged.
4.
Don’t ever put a candle in a plastic cup.
Don’t ever put a candle in a plastic cup.
This ends Daisy’s Story of Woe/Fire Prevention Hour. Hope
you enjoy this clip from my upcoming release, From the Ashes.
you enjoy this clip from my upcoming release, From the Ashes.
Cheers!
Pre-order FROM THE ASHES on Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-the-ashes-daisy-harris/1115084890?ean=9781619217980
Pre-order FROM THE ASHES on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/From-Ashes-Fire-Rain-ebook/dp/B00C4U6MOC
Daisy’s Website: http://thedaisyharris.com/
Oh my
God. Oh my fucking God.
God. Oh my fucking God.
Jesse
stared up at his house, the duplex where he’d been living for the two months
since he’d moved to Seattle. In thick, black clouds, smoke spilled from the
windows.
stared up at his house, the duplex where he’d been living for the two months
since he’d moved to Seattle. In thick, black clouds, smoke spilled from the
windows.
Firefighters
streamed in and out of the building. Someone punched through his skylight to
toss boulders of his charred and damp belongings onto the concrete.
streamed in and out of the building. Someone punched through his skylight to
toss boulders of his charred and damp belongings onto the concrete.
Underwear
he’d left on his bed when he’d gone to work that morning lay on top of the
burnt remains of his grandmother’s hand-knitted afghan.
he’d left on his bed when he’d gone to work that morning lay on top of the
burnt remains of his grandmother’s hand-knitted afghan.
Oh my
God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
He
couldn’t think.
couldn’t think.
Someone
was talking to him. The voice asked about Jesse’s landlords, if Jesse knew
there was a meth lab in their basement.
was talking to him. The voice asked about Jesse’s landlords, if Jesse knew
there was a meth lab in their basement.
“No,”
Jesse said. But once he’d started, he couldn’t stop the words from spilling
out. “No, no, no, no, no. Fuck, no.” Mindlessly, he sprinted toward the front
door. He could get something out before the fire ruined it all. The coffee
table he’d bought at a secondhand store. The Christmas sweater his mom had
given him even though his father wouldn’t look at him anymore.
Jesse said. But once he’d started, he couldn’t stop the words from spilling
out. “No, no, no, no, no. Fuck, no.” Mindlessly, he sprinted toward the front
door. He could get something out before the fire ruined it all. The coffee
table he’d bought at a secondhand store. The Christmas sweater his mom had
given him even though his father wouldn’t look at him anymore.
Something.
He
couldn’t let it all burn.
From behind, someone grabbed him, clutching Jesse in
a bear hug. Jesse
couldn’t let it all burn.
From behind, someone grabbed him, clutching Jesse in
a bear hug. Jesse
knew as
soon as he felt the stiff, flame-retardant material of a firefighter’s
soon as he felt the stiff, flame-retardant material of a firefighter’s
uniform
that they weren’t going to let him back inside. Sobbing, he collapsed in the
guy’s arms.
that they weren’t going to let him back inside. Sobbing, he collapsed in the
guy’s arms.
That
single-room studio had been the first place he’d ever felt comfortable, where
he could be himself. He could be a gay man in his gay apartment and not worry
about his father kicking him out.
single-room studio had been the first place he’d ever felt comfortable, where
he could be himself. He could be a gay man in his gay apartment and not worry
about his father kicking him out.
“You can’t
go inside. It’s not safe,” the firefighter said in his ear. “Do you have
someone you can call? A friend or a girlfriend? Um…a boyfriend?”
go inside. It’s not safe,” the firefighter said in his ear. “Do you have
someone you can call? A friend or a girlfriend? Um…a boyfriend?”
Jesse
blinked back tears. He had a few numbers in his phone, friends he knew from
class or work, but he didn’t know any of them well enough to lay on them the
fact that his motherfucking house had just burned from the inside out.
blinked back tears. He had a few numbers in his phone, friends he knew from
class or work, but he didn’t know any of them well enough to lay on them the
fact that his motherfucking house had just burned from the inside out.
The only
number he could think of calling was the one he refused to consider. No, Jesse
was not calling his parents. No fucking way. He’d live on the streets first.
number he could think of calling was the one he refused to consider. No, Jesse
was not calling his parents. No fucking way. He’d live on the streets first.
“I
can’t. I don’t…” He wiped the back of his hand across his face. “I just…
Give me a second.”
can’t. I don’t…” He wiped the back of his hand across his face. “I just…
Give me a second.”
“Take
all the time you need.” Tomas kept a hand on the kid’s arm in case he ran for
it again.
all the time you need.” Tomas kept a hand on the kid’s arm in case he ran for
it again.
Everyone
panicked when they got home to find their house on fire. The initial “No, No,
No,”—the first stage of grief—was universal. Sometimes victims sped past denial
directly to bargaining. Older women fell to their knees and started praying, as
if God could turn back time or fix their faulty wiring. Men were more likely to
fly into rages, shouting at neighbors or firefighters. Even their wives or
kids. So Tomas wasn’t surprised by the wide glassy eyes and erratic behavior of
the queer kid who lived above the Central District meth lab.
panicked when they got home to find their house on fire. The initial “No, No,
No,”—the first stage of grief—was universal. Sometimes victims sped past denial
directly to bargaining. Older women fell to their knees and started praying, as
if God could turn back time or fix their faulty wiring. Men were more likely to
fly into rages, shouting at neighbors or firefighters. Even their wives or
kids. So Tomas wasn’t surprised by the wide glassy eyes and erratic behavior of
the queer kid who lived above the Central District meth lab.
Tomas
shouldn’t have noticed the fit of the kid’s skinny jeans or that his hipster
T-shirt was pockmarked with holes. And he definitely shouldn’t have found
it cute that his sandy-brown hair hung long in the front but was shaved in
back. Eight hours past the end of his shift, Tomas was running on adrenaline
and coffee. He needed to keep his mind on his work.
shouldn’t have noticed the fit of the kid’s skinny jeans or that his hipster
T-shirt was pockmarked with holes. And he definitely shouldn’t have found
it cute that his sandy-brown hair hung long in the front but was shaved in
back. Eight hours past the end of his shift, Tomas was running on adrenaline
and coffee. He needed to keep his mind on his work.
“You
lived here, right?” Tomas gestured behind him to the damp and burnt- out shell
of the duplex.
lived here, right?” Tomas gestured behind him to the damp and burnt- out shell
of the duplex.
The kid
looked at him through red-rimmed eyes. Pinching his lips together, he nodded.
looked at him through red-rimmed eyes. Pinching his lips together, he nodded.
“You’re
okay.” Tomas rubbed the kid’s arm, trying to calm him down. “No one got hurt.
There was no one inside the building.” He wanted to drag the kid into his arms
for a hug. He looked like he needed it, but responders weren’t allowed any
unnecessary touching of victims. Tomas hoped that one of the kid’s friends or
neighbors would show up soon to hold his hand.
okay.” Tomas rubbed the kid’s arm, trying to calm him down. “No one got hurt.
There was no one inside the building.” He wanted to drag the kid into his arms
for a hug. He looked like he needed it, but responders weren’t allowed any
unnecessary touching of victims. Tomas hoped that one of the kid’s friends or
neighbors would show up soon to hold his hand.
Lips
pale, the guy shivered.
pale, the guy shivered.
“You
didn’t have any pets right? We didn’t see a dog or a cat.” Sweat slicked inside
Tomas’s clothes from his time rushing through the building earlier. The last
few guys were snuffing out the fire on the top floor, and half the team was
already loading equipment back on the truck.
didn’t have any pets right? We didn’t see a dog or a cat.” Sweat slicked inside
Tomas’s clothes from his time rushing through the building earlier. The last
few guys were snuffing out the fire on the top floor, and half the team was
already loading equipment back on the truck.
“No.”
The queer kid sucked in air in giant gulps. “But the landlords. They had a…
They had a dog.” He shook his head again, like he was clearing his mind enough
to talk. “She’s in a cage out back. Her name is Chardonnay. Oh my God, is she
hurt?”
The queer kid sucked in air in giant gulps. “But the landlords. They had a…
They had a dog.” He shook his head again, like he was clearing his mind enough
to talk. “She’s in a cage out back. Her name is Chardonnay. Oh my God, is she
hurt?”
Tomas
put his arm around the kid’s shoulders, urging him to sit down. “I’m sure the
dog’s fine. The fire never worked through the outer walls of the building.”
put his arm around the kid’s shoulders, urging him to sit down. “I’m sure the
dog’s fine. The fire never worked through the outer walls of the building.”
The
guy’s narrow shoulders trembled.
guy’s narrow shoulders trembled.
“I’ll
tell them to check, okay?” Tomas pulled out his intercom
and asked one of the guys inside if he could see a dog out back.
tell them to check, okay?” Tomas pulled out his intercom
and asked one of the guys inside if he could see a dog out back.
Rick,
his buddy on the other end of the line, replied yes.
his buddy on the other end of the line, replied yes.
Tomas
smiled. “The dog’s fine.” He wasn’t sure if the kid heard him, though, because
his eyes were unfocused.
smiled. “The dog’s fine.” He wasn’t sure if the kid heard him, though, because
his eyes were unfocused.
“What’s
your name?” Tomas rubbed his back.
your name?” Tomas rubbed his back.
The guy
blinked up at him, as if he couldn’t remember. After a swallow of air, he said,
“Jesse. Jesse Smith.”
blinked up at him, as if he couldn’t remember. After a swallow of air, he said,
“Jesse. Jesse Smith.”
“Okay,
Jesse.” Tomas kept his voice low and soothing. At any moment Jesse might flip
from his current mode of denial into a volatile burst of anger. “I’m Tomas
Perez, and I’m not going to leave until I’m sure you have a place to stay
tonight, okay?” He tried to make eye contact.
Jesse.” Tomas kept his voice low and soothing. At any moment Jesse might flip
from his current mode of denial into a volatile burst of anger. “I’m Tomas
Perez, and I’m not going to leave until I’m sure you have a place to stay
tonight, okay?” He tried to make eye contact.
The gaze
that met his was hazel green—beautiful and rimmed with light brown lashes.
Blinking, Jesse glanced away. His focus bounced around the yard, house and
street in a distracted jumble. “You’re sure Chardonnay is okay? Can I go check
on her? She’s probably freaking out.”
that met his was hazel green—beautiful and rimmed with light brown lashes.
Blinking, Jesse glanced away. His focus bounced around the yard, house and
street in a distracted jumble. “You’re sure Chardonnay is okay? Can I go check
on her? She’s probably freaking out.”
Tomas
put his hand on Jesse’s shoulder. He squeezed, feeling Jesse’s sinewy muscles
under the material of his T-shirt. No. He shouldn’t have noticed that, either.
“We’ll go to the backyard in a second. Just let them finish the work inside.”
put his hand on Jesse’s shoulder. He squeezed, feeling Jesse’s sinewy muscles
under the material of his T-shirt. No. He shouldn’t have noticed that, either.
“We’ll go to the backyard in a second. Just let them finish the work inside.”
I am sorry about your house. I am glad everything turned out well for you. I can not wait to read the book. It sounds amazing.
I am sorry about your house. I'm glad everything turned out well for you in the end.
I can't wait to read the book. It sounds amazing.
Thanks for commenting Tiffany! I'm excited for this release, too. 🙂
So sorry about your house, glad something positive came out of that experience for you.
I really want to read this story!
Thanks for the comment Dec! Right?? August is SO FAR away!!
D
I would love to read the whole story!
2 master bedroom apartments