Evacuation Order

Time to Rest

Dad parked the van and brought some of our bags to the room, we take our turns taking showers, never thought I would be so happy with something so simple, I release my tears as the water rushes over me, I try and let my worries go down the drain with the water but that doesn't work as well as I would like.

I am grateful that we could afford a room, what about those that aren't so financially ok, what about them? what are they able to do? How do they get away? What if I didn't live at home? would I have to bike it with very simple supplies? I take a deep breath and say a prayer of thanks and ask God to protect every one.

I dry off and change my clothes, I find myself so tired, does anyone else feel so drained?

I think my question is answered as I come out of the bathroom and my parents are in bed and asleep already, I tip toe to bed and stare at the ceiling a while, thinking about James and how is he? are they having any success putting out those fires?.

I had overheard conversations in the restaurant that this fire started because of a careless, non thought out gender reveal, to blow smoke that is colorful of blue or pink, but they made it to big and around dry tall grass, didn't clear a area, didn't have safety gear ready. no bucket or buckets of water and dirt or foam, you want that big boom the be prepared with proper fire safety, but all this over the top non sense, it's insane look at how people displaced, the bigger risk of that virus spreading as many are focused to survive today but break distancing to do it, my heart aches, yet my body shuts down and forces it to sleep but my brain didn't stop overthinking and I have strange dreams because of it.

I am walking alone, tired and struggling to breathe, the smoke from the fire and cars cause me to cough a lot, I start to ride my bike again, I mange to pass cars and find space to bike on the highway, I pedal as fast as I can to get as far as I can, I have no way of knowing were safe zones are, this dream seems to be from the point of view of being homeless.

I feel like I can't wake up from the nightmare exhausted and scared, struggling to breathe and every fibre of my body pushing to survive, in this strange dream I feel a instect to keep going forward, like somehow going straight if safer.

I reach a overpass and pull me bike off the road, to take a rest, pull down my mask to drink some of the water I have, the air seems ok the breathe, such little food, I eat a granola bar, catch some sleep, I thought that is the exit point of this, fall asleep to wake up but that wasn't the case, I felt cold, no cover to keep warm the sleep was not restful, so I get back to moving, repeating rest at underpass, I don't know why I am not waking up, at least I can but I do know this is some ones reality, my mom has always been proud of her social warrior fighting for justice and positive change, I began toss only to wake up when I feel out of bed.

My thud was so loud it awoke my parents to and I told them of my dream, dad hands me the keys to the van tells me where he packed my life long stuffed, that I have had since birth, I am about to unlock the van when I notice a women biking passed, but I witness her collapse, I rush over to her, help her to her feet, she isn't letting go of her bike, I bring her to the van, I yell for help as I get her to seat in front of the van as I get her water and look for the bandaids.

A guy comes out of the unit the van is parked in front of, I explained what I witnessed and that I am looking for the first aid kit but need help to stop the bleeding, a woman comes out of the same unit, "what's wrong hun?","sweetie please fill the ice bucket with water and bring out a wash clothe and soap, we need to clean the wounds" now my mom and dad are down here and dad gets the first aid kit, mom grabs some snacks as I got the water already.

"I'm fine really, no need to fuss", she doesn't sound convincing, " no fuss at all, just strangers helping each other the way we should" I said, she gives me a strange look and I realize she hasn't seen kindness in a long time, her face is dirty and worn, she has a scape under her helmet that also needs treatment, she is thin and my height, what if that was a vision so I could be there to help, I think to myself, she seems to be my age, but looks older.

"My name is Jessica, what's yours?" she looks spaced out and I am worried so could have a concession. "You want my name?", she sounds shocked but that was a hard fall, "yes, if we get you talking we can see if you have any signs of concession, is that ok?" you can tell she doesn't trust, maybe one day she will share with someone what happened to lead her here.

"I am Jenny, nice to meet you Jessica" wow a Jenny, " how old are you?" she is still reluctant but answers "22", "I'm 20, where you from", she looks mad "what's it to you?", oh guess I shouldn't have asked, "ok, sorry just meant to keep you talking, but you don't seem to be slurring, you pauses seem more like trust issues, and thank goodness you a spirited because it means that you are strong".

The three of us finish getting her wounds cleaned, my mom grabbed a few bags from the van, including the snacks and drinks, "Jenny, I am Jessica's mom, my name is Victoria and I would like you to join us for some rest, will you accept?".

"Are you sure?" Jenny seems to hesitate, "when was the last time you had a decent sleep?" I asked, should of asked when did she last have kindness in her life, but maybe she will open up later, we thank the others for helping and get her up to our room, I give up the bed, she drinks some water and eats a snack, she falls asleep quickly after that, "Dad, can she have breakfast with us tomorrow at the restaurant?, maybe we can give her a lift?", dad gives me a hug and a kiss "it's up to Jenny sweetie, she if she feels enough trust for that", "I hope she does, I miss having a friend named Jenny, she kind of reminds me of her, that I got this spirit, a fighter, wish she didn't have to, why are helpers like us becoming rare?", dad sighs "I don't know, rest well kiddo, love you".

"Goodnight and Love you both".