Evacuation Order

Breakfast is Served

I help Jenny down the stairs, we hop in the van and park as close to the restaurant entrance as possible, next to the wheelchair space, I help her inside and we seat near the entrance.

We look at the breakfast menus on the table, I could really go for a waffle with fresh fruit and whipped cream, a young waitress comes over, asks for our drink order, 3 coffees and 1 tea, turns out Jenny takes her coffee like me.

Jenny is smiling it's nice to see. When it's time to order the Jenny goes first and I was surprised she ordered the same as I am, when I order the same thing she smiles a little bigger, maybe she will open up and we can find a way to help her.

Dad goes with pancakes and bacon, mom decided on oatmeal with fruit.

The food arrives and after a few bites, Jenny does start talking, mainly first starting with how delicious the food is.

"This is so good, my mom did waffles for special occasions, tastes like home" Jenny has a tear down her cheek, I don't think my mom noticed as she asked "where is she now dear, we can drive you there if it's not to far out our way" I noticed more tears and grabbed for napkins and passed some to Jenny, " My parents died of cancer a year apart, I was 15 when mom died, did my best to look after dad who tried to live a little longer for me, he shared my 16th birthday with me and passed in his sleep."

My parents looked at her and said "so sorry, any other family?" Jenny looked down at the floor, "my uncle took the house, he pretty much cast me aside and took control because I wasn't legal age for the will, and working odd jobs here and there I ended up homeless, unable to fight for my legal rights".

"Dad isn't your sister a lawyer? could she help?" I asked.

"That is sweet but there may not be a house or any money left now, if there had been the fire will wipe it out" she returned to eating.

"Come with us any way, maybe you can still get justice, at least report him" I am mad het uncle could do that," did he help look after him at all?" I asked mad that a family was supposed to look after each other, a young teen looked after her parents thrn the uncle claims the house, she's from our town.

"I guess if you're willing then I accept, can I get more fruit?" Jenny smiled, "I know I would like more coffee", my mom adds "another tea would be delightful" so Dad waves over the waitress and we get drink refills and more fruit and even a side of bacon.

Our tummies full we do our bathroom trips, Dad pays and we load into the van, visibility was a bit better not clear but not as heavy, we notice a glow trying to peak through cloud and smoke.

Dad let Jenny pick the tunes for the first bit, then me, then mom and the last part when close to his sister's dad picked.

This time there was a little less traffic and the closer we got to our destination the visibility was better.

When we got there lunch was ready and she made lots, she pulled out a cots she had so us girl's could sure a room.

All of the food was set up outside, you didn't need a respirator mask in this area, it was only a little hazy the air was mainly clear so a pinic seemed lovely, pasta salad, sandwiches, fruit tray, veggie tray and iced sweet tea, we ate without conversation.

I got a text shortly after we finished eating, "I'm safe, love you, going back on duty", so I text back " just arrived at aunts place, safe and made new friend, love you too".

Auntie is looking at me, "finally realized you love that best friend of yours?" what made her says that, answers yes, "how did you know?", she smiled "my last visit, could see and feel it you both blushed on your gift exchange".

Last Christmas, feel like a life time ago, don't even know how back to school will be with the fire and virus, would we have a house? do we get a camper? so many questions, thinking of questions "Auntie, my new friend was 16 when her father died, her uncle isn't very nice he took the house and maybe everything willed to her, she tired supporting herself but ended up homeless anyway as he kicked her out, she couldn't really fight it, anything she can do now at 22 with our help?"

"Do you know if she has a copy of the will?" she over heard me as and hobbled over, "yes right here, I still worked while living in a tent, paid for safe deposit box, took it out with the order to go" she hands it to my aunt, "help yourself to more sweet tea as I look this over and get back to you."

She sat down, reading every inch of that will, then read it again made notes, and repeated a few more times, looked up address on google, looked up worth did some math, poured herself another cup of iced sweet tea, put her notes together nicely on a pad of paper, like the ones she uses for cases, then she asks a few questions " Jenny do you know if he still lives there?", "yes, my cousin told me they renovated recently, to rub it in, he's very rude, that side of the family seems to use people, my dad didn't want anything to do with him."

"What about family on your mom's side of the family, "lost contact with them, mom had all their numbers and everything in her head, couldn't find them written down", she is quiet then Jenny asks "Why? is there something I can do" my aunt nods her head "yes but more on that later, rest now as I prepare dinner".