Flames engulfed the garage, the living room, the bed where they’d slept
without touching. She hid among the neighbor’s roses and watched the fire.
Like an accident on television, it happened far from her and didn’t ask
that she be involved. Her husband returned home from work and parked
across the street. She heard him call her name. A fire engine arrived
and emptied gallons of water on the roof and siding. She watched while
her husband watched, while the neighbors crowded to watch. She stayed
crouched among the roses that burst with scent as the fire fought an
onslaught of water, its dark smoke spiraling into the neighborhood.