The shower rained over me as I braced one hand against the wall, eyes screwed shut.
Water ran down my face, but it wasn’t enough.
“Jamie, baby… just go…”
My jaw locked.
“Mom, I can help you. Hold my hand.”
Smoke filled my lungs.
Suddenly, I was fifteen again.
The hallway was black with it. Flames licked up the walls, swallowing the curtains whole.
“Jamie, please…” her voice broke behind the fire. “Go find your dad.”
I dragged a hand over my face, breathing harder.
“Mom, I’m not leaving you!”
My younger voice echoed inside my skull.
I turned the shower hotter.
Still, I could smell the fire.
The water burned my skin, and I forced my eyes open, dragging in a sharp breath.
It came out ragged and uneven.
I shoved the memory back where I’d buried it all these years.
I couldn’t u
