Beneath the Flames

by Gregory Lee Renz

  Jennie had been coming early to visit with Miss Bernie before taking Sid to therapy. On days Jennie was coming by, Mitch rose extra early to get morning chores done so he could join them.

  Jennie was fascinated by Miss Bernie’s stories of her life in the inner city. These were stories Mitch already knew but they were just as incredible hearing them again. Along with gripping stories of gang violence or how her mother died giving birth to her, she’d share humorous stories of crazy church friends and quirky neighbors. Jennie shared stories of tragic losses and miraculous recoveries at the cancer center. Mitch joined in with stories of crazy firehouse antics. Jennie’s intoxicating laughter and Miss Bernie’s booming laugh echoed through the house.

  Sid’s speech had improved. He was now giving the walker a daily workout, following everyone around the house, pestering them with complaints. Nobody listened. The girls were taking great care of the calves and helping Miss Bernie with the garden and household chores. And Mitch got to see Jennie six days a week.

  * * *

  The early June rain and warm weather had the crops ahead of schedule, so Mitch had some free time to work on his antique tractor in the afternoon. He was in the machine shed when he heard screams. “Mitch, Mitch. Please, Mitch. Where are you?”

  He stepped outside. Jasmine was running toward the barn. “Jasmine, over here. What’s going on?”

  She flung around and raced at him, breathless. “Lexi’s—in the pond.”

  Mitch clutched her shoulders. She was drenched in sweat. “Is she still there?”

  Her green eyes widened. “I couldn’t get her.”

  They jumped in the Gator and sped across the pasture.

  Mitch shouted over the wind in their faces. “What happened?”

  No response.

  “Jasmine. C’mon. What happened?”

  Her lips quivered followed by a torrent of words. “She slipped on the bank and went in the water. She was out too far. I couldn’t get her.” Jasmine buried her face in her hands and sobbed. “I couldn’t get her, Mitch. I couldn’t get her.”

  Think.

  “Jasmine, hold on to the bar.”

  They lifted off the seat as they flew over a berm. The Gator wailed, the RPMs pushing redline.

  Mitch skidded the Gator to a stop and ran to the pond. It was still and quiet. He hurled himself down the slippery bank, scanning the water for any sign of Alexus. Jasmine slid down the bank behind him. Something rippled in the middle of the pond. He yanked off his boots and tossed his wallet to the ground. He looked back at Jasmine. “Stay here.”

  He dove into the chilly pond wearing his pants and T-shirt and swam toward the middle. As soon as he saw the tiny pink tennis shoe bobbing on the water, Mitch’s insides twisted into a sickening mass. Think.

  He dove down to the muddy bottom. He felt the smooth rocks embed­ded in the mud along with long-neck beer bottles he and his high school buddies used to drink. He came up for air. Fighting panic, he called out, “Jasmine, see anything?”

  Jasmine stood on the bank gripping the top of her head with both hands.

  He dove again praying he’d find Lexi but dreaded finding her. He stayed down until his lungs screamed for air. He surfaced. Jasmine hadn’t moved since he came up the first time. Mitch scanned the stream that fed the pond. If she got into the current, she’d be swept downstream. He was about to tell Jasmine to go back to the house to call 911 when he heard Billy barking from the stand of cattails bordering the open bank. He shouted, “Jasmine, go see what Billy’s barking about.”

  Mitch swam toward shore. Jasmine disappeared into the six-foot-tall cattails, the brown tops tumbling as she pushed through. Billy’s barks turned frantic, then stopped.

  Mitch slowed to listen. “Jasmine?”

  The cattails rattled in the warm breeze.

  Mitch ripped through the water, swimming to where Billy’s barking had been coming from. When he got to the shallow bank, he plunged through the tangled reeds and sucking muck, slamming cattails out of the way. “Jasmine?”

  “Over here.”

  Billy whimpered as Mitch stumbled over him. Partially obscured by the weeds and cattails sat the sisters in the mud holding each other, rocking back and forth. Alexus coughed hard, gagging herself. She looked at him, her hazel eyes clouded. Her hair was matted with black muck and her white shorts and pink top soaked a muddy brown. Mitch wanted to shout to the heavens.

  “Lexi, you okay?”

  Her lower lip nudged out. “I wasn’t careful like you told me.”

  Thank you, God.

  Jasmine held Alexus at arm’s length and scrunched her brow. “How’d you get out?”

  Barely visible along the collar of Alexus’s muddy top was a long row of teeth marks. Mitch looked back at Billy, whose thick black coat was plastered to his body, then back at Alexus. A chill washed through him.

  “I couldn’t breathe,” Alexus said. “Got real scared. Then Billy drag me out.”

  Billy flicked his body from head to toe, showering them with cold pond water.

  Mitch rubbed Billy’s wet head. “Holy crap. You are frickin’ amazing.” Billy licked his hand and panted. Jasmine stepped between them, wrapped her arms around Billy’s thick neck and kissed the top of his head, ignoring his swampy smell. He licked her cheek.

  Mitch watched in silence, mesmerized by Jasmine’s serene face.

  “Lost my shoe and cap,” Alexus said.

  Mitch hoisted her from the slime and kissed her muddy cheek. “Tomorrow, you and Jasmine are learning to swim.”

  “Good as Billy?”

  “Good as Billy.”

  Chapter 53

  Miss Bernie demanded they attend Sunday morning church service at Milroy Trinity Lutheran Church. Mitch hadn’t been there since Maggie’s funeral and tried to come up with excuses not to go. Miss Bernie was hearing none of it. Said the good Lord deserved an hour of his time. He didn’t argue. Not after yesterday.

  Mitch paused and took a deep breath before pushing the castle-like doors of the old church open. Inside, the musty smell and warm reds, greens, and blues of the stained glass washing over the congregation brought it all back. He focused on the open space in front of the pulpit where the tiny white casket had been. A hollow ache spread through his chest.

  Sid steered his walker to the last row of pews. Miss Bernie kept going.

  Sid called after her, “Hey, woman, we sit in the back.”

  “Suit yourself. Me and the children settin’ in front so they pay attention to the word of the Lord.”

  “Guess we sit in front,” Mitch said.

  Sid scowled. “For Christ’s sake. How come she’s the damn boss? It’s our church.”

  Miss Bernie scowled back at him. “Hush your mouth. You in the Lord’s house now.”

  Sid gritted his teeth. “Aach.”

  Chris covered his mouth, holding back a snicker.

  Mitch escorted Sid down the aisle behind Miss Bernie and the girls. Miss Bernie plopped herself in the front pew. The girls slid in next to her with the men sitting at the end.

  “Mind if I join you?” Jennie said from the aisle, startling Mitch. Sid’s scowl gave way to a lopsided smile. Before Mitch could answer, she slid past him to Miss Bernie and the girls. He was disappointed she didn’t sit next to him, but her presence lifted the darkness he felt on the way in.

  Mitch didn’t hear a word of the pastor’s sermon. He was consumed with thoughts of Jennie while glancing down the row at her. She never looked his way.

  When the service concluded, Jennie rushed out before he had a chance to talk to her.

  * * *

  Halfway up the drive, the rich smell of pot roast drifted through the open windows of the van. The beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions had been simmering in the oven since early morning. As soon as they got inside, Miss Bernie pulled the dark blue enamel baking pan from the oven. She thickened the brown juices and poured the rich gravy over the steaming meat and vegetables. Jasmine set the table. Sid
watched Miss Bernie slice the meat. She stopped cutting and waved the knife at Sid. “You Lutherans sure a quiet bunch. Don’t know how the good Lord can hear you folks.” She went back to cutting the meat.

  Through the kitchen window, Mitch saw the red Camry pull to a stop.

  Miss Bernie peered out the window. “I told her to come eat with us. Her man’s working a double shift today.”

  Her man. The words slashed through him.

  Alexus ran out and led Jennie by the hand to the kitchen, breathlessly telling her how Billy had saved her yesterday. Jennie glanced around the table while Alexus told her every detail. Sid reached across the table and snatched a slice of beef with a fork while the others listened to Alexus run on, her arms flailing to show how she splashed in the water.

  After Alexus wound down, Miss Bernie said, “Let’s say grace before the food goes cold.” She frowned at Sid. “At least those of us had the decency to wait.”

  Sid ignored her and forked meat into his mouth.

  Miss Bernie folded her hands, bowed her head, and prayed, “Thank you, Lord, for these blessings we’re about to receive. Thank You for giving us your only son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. And for blessing us with Your spirit this morning in church, just pray You might a heard us. And thank You for giving us Billy.” She paused. “Who saved our precious Alexus. Amen.”

  Everyone but Sid chanted, “Amen.”

  Serving spoons clattered as platters moved around the table.

  Jasmine asked Mitch, “Why can’t Billy eat with us?”

  Mitch considered this for a moment. “Yeah, why can’t he?”

  Sid banged his fork on the table. “Don’t you let that mangy thing in here.”

  “We’re all partners,” Mitch said. “What does everyone think?”

  “He’s not coming in my house,” Sid growled. “And we’re not partners.”

  Miss Bernie stood. “I think we take a vote. Who wants Billy to eat with us?”

  All hands, but Sid’s, reached for the ceiling.

  Jasmine sprang from her chair. “I’ll get him.”

  “The hell you will. Goddamn…aach.”

  Jennie went behind Sid and rubbed his back. “Let it go, Sid. What’ll it hurt?”

  “Ah, Christ.” Sid went back to shoveling hunks of beef into his mouth.

  Miss Bernie put a bowl of meat and gravy on the floor between Jasmine and Alexus. Billy gazed up at them before gulping it down without chewing. Jasmine’s high-pitched laugh had everyone smiling, except Sid, who stopped chewing and pointed his fork at Jasmine. “Why don’t you ever take that ugly scarf off?”

  Jasmine gripped the brightly colored Kente scarf. The room went quiet. Mitch balled his fists. Before he could say anything, Jasmine pointed her fork right back at Sid. “Why you so ugly?” Her emerald eyes blazed with a fierceness that had been missing since before she was burned. She slammed her chair back and marched up to him. “Think you’re bad? You don’t know bad. Don’t scare me none with all your hollering.” She was in Sid’s face, and Mitch was loving it. “Know you hate us, but what makes you any better?”

  Sid jerked back and looked past her to Miss Bernie. “This how you teach your kids down there? Call her off.”

  “Jasmine, let the old man be,” Miss Bernie said. “He don’t know what he saying. Don’t know nothing about your scarf.”

  “Good,” Sid said and went back to wolfing down meat and potatoes.

  “As for you, old man. That girl been through more hell than you ever know. Lucky all she did was give you a tongue-lashing. Best treat her with respect. Now, let’s eat in peace.”

  Mumbling to himself, Sid said, “Why do I have to give respect? I sure as hell don’t get none.”

  “Got to give it to get it,” Miss Bernie said.

  Miss Bernie explained the history and meaning of the colors of Jasmine’s Kente scarf to Jennie. She told her how Brother Williams gave her the sacred scarf after she was burned in the fire. Miss Bernie had to pause often to let Alexus chime in with her five-year-old excited explanation of things. Sid showed no sign he was listening. Jasmine stroked Billy’s back while the story unfolded.

  After lunch, the girls went to feed the calves. Chris went to the milking parlor to clean equipment. And Sid hobbled to his room with the walker for an afternoon nap.

  Mitch cleared the table while Miss Bernie and Jennie stood side by side at the sink washing dishes and chattering about Jasmine. Miss Bernie filled her in on the murder of Jasmine’s older sister, her mother’s drinking and men, her molestation, and her agonizing depression.

  Mitch was thrilled Jennie stayed, but couldn’t shake the words “her man.”

  “Do the girls have swimsuits?” Mitch asked Miss Bernie.

  “No. And you not letting ’em in that water again?”

  “I promised to teach them to swim today. They can wear shorts and T-shirts.”

  “That girl needs a swimsuit,” Jennie said. “And she should be wearing a bra.” She turned to Miss Bernie. “How old is Jasmine?”

  “She twelve.”

  Jennie dried her hands on the dishtowel. “Only twelve?”

  “In our neighborhood, they form early. Their bodies way in front of their heads.”

  Jennie handed the towel to Mitch. “Mind finishing up while we ladies do some shopping? I’ll stop and get my suit so I can help with the girls.”

  “You bet.” He tried hard to hide his elation.

  Chapter 54

  Jennie stepped out of her loose cutoffs and lifted off her camo T-shirt revealing a modest lavender bikini and her lanky figure. Watching her brought back bittersweet memories of skinny-dipping on hot summer nights and the intoxicating warmth of her body pressed against him in the cool water.

  Mitch spread an oversized yellow beach towel on the bank of the pond. The girls slipped off their shorts and T-shirts, revealing matching lavender swimsuits. Jennie was right; Jasmine was no longer a little girl.

  Mitch chuckled. “Miss Bernie pick those?”

  “She love purple,” Alexus said.

  He remembered Miss Bernie telling him purple was the color of hope. He could feel it. Then he remembered how his mother loved purple lilacs and his thoughts clouded.

  Jasmine carefully unwound her scarf and laid it on the towel. The white gold necklace flickered in the afternoon sun.

  “Jasmine, what a pretty necklace,” Jennie said. “Some boy give you that?”

  “Mitch gave it to me.”

  “I love that gold leaf.”

  Jasmine clutched her neck.

  “Is that where you got burned? Can I see?”

  Jennie gently pulled Jasmine’s hand away and ran her fingers over Jasmine’s neck. The burns had left light-colored, mottled scarring below her left ear and down her neck. “You’re such a beautiful girl, nobody’ll ever notice. We girls all have things we don’t like about ourselves.” She pointed at Mitch. “Not like those boys, who think they’re perfect.” Jennie laughed.

  Jasmine caught on fast. She, Jennie, and Billy swam back and forth across the pond while Mitch worked with Alexus. The near-drowning had Alexus petrified of the water. They started in the shallow area where Alexus could touch the bottom, then moved to deeper water where he encouraged her to put her face in the water while he held her. Every time she dipped her face, she panicked, jerked her head out of the water, and gasped for air.

  After two hours of patiently encouraging her, he carried her to the shallow water and put her down. “Let’s rest for a while.”

  Jasmine and Jennie were sprawled on the yellow beach towel, soaking up the rays.

  Alexus’s lower lip quivered. “Guess I won’t ever learn to swim like Billy.”

  “I’m not a good teacher. You need Jen showing you how.”

  Alexus ran to Jennie. “Miss Jennie, can you teach me to swim?”

  “Let’s go. Race you.” Jennie and Alexus splashed into the pond, giggling.

  Jasmine stayed on
the beach towel hugging her knees to her chest.

  “Jen’s right,” Mitch said. “Those marks remind me of what an amazing young lady you are. It’s like you have a tattoo of courage for risking your life for Lexi. What could be more beautiful?”

  Jasmine rested her chin on her knees. Barely above a whisper, she said, “I never thanked you for the necklace.”

  “Sorry they couldn’t find the one from your dad.”

  “I like yours better.” She dashed into the water and joined the girls. Billy followed.

  Jennie and Alexus splashed water at Jasmine and she splashed back, all of them laughing hard. It struck Mitch how Jennie lit up around them and how they lit up around her. They had talked a lot about kids when they were going together. She loved teaching the little ones at Sunday school. He ached to be back with her, to touch her again, to be a part of her world.

  * * *

  The late afternoon sun washed over them, spreading its citrusy hues through the trees, the shimmering rays dancing on the water.

  Mitch went to the edge of the pond. “Hey, girls, it’s getting late.”

  They trudged out of the water and plopped onto the beach towel.

  “You girls go on. Miss Bernie’ll be looking for you to help with supper,” Mitch said. “Me and Jen’ll take care of the towels.”

  Alexus hugged Jennie’s waist. “You the best teacher ever.”

  Mitch grinned. “She is the best.”

  Jennie stepped over Billy and lifted Jasmin’s chin. “You are a beautiful, beautiful girl. Don’t ever think those marks change that one bit.”

  Alexus grabbed her sister’s hand. “C’mon, we best get back or Miss Bernie be giving us a talking to.”

  The sisters walked together hand in hand over the pasture with Billy trotting next to Jasmine.

  “Think I lost my dog,” Mitch said.

  “He knows where he’s needed.”

  Jennie dried and fluffed her hair with her back to him. Jennie’s willowy body was nothing like Nic’s sculpted bronze legs, tight abdomen, and model’s looks. When Mitch was with Nic, he saw how people reacted to her beauty and were drawn to her. People were also drawn to Jennie, but it was different. Jennie was pretty enough, but she wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous. It was a magnetic attraction that pulled others close. Her gentle smile, absorb­ing brown eyes, and natural laugh lifted him and anyone else fortunate enough to be in her presence. He thought about Crusher’s advice. “Want to be happy? Find a woman you can laugh through life with.”