Bright Side

by Rose Fresquez

  In the flickering light of the blaze, Andrew caught a shadow of a man pacing back and forth, holding his head in both hands, rattling something in Spanish.

  I know that voice!

  Striding forward, Andrew could almost make out the man’s words. “Te odavía hay una niña adentro!” There’s a little girl still inside.

  He clapped a hand on the distraught man’s shoulder. “Mateo?”

  “Daisy!” Mateo pointed to the flaming building, tugging at his hair as a torrent of Spanish poured from him.

  Andrew’s mind spun, and his heart quickened. “Are you saying that Daisy is inside the building?”

  Mateo nodded, panting and trembling. “Si...”

  This must be where Mateo’s friends lived. “What level?’

  He lifted three fingers up, then pressed his trembling hands together.

  Andrew willed his tense nerves to settle as he tried to ignore the thumping of his heart. “Where exactly is she?”

  Mateo responded in rapid-fire Spanish, and it was getting harder to understand what he was saying.

  “Please speak English,” Andrew snapped, the urgency of the situation giving a sharp edge to his voice.

  “She was...taking nap in the bedroom,” Mateo managed.

  A woman spoke from behind, hoisting a baby on her hip. “And we...forgot.”

  Andrew gritted his teeth. That happened way too often, for a child visiting to be forgotten.

  “Possibility of a seven year old still in the building,” Andrew radioed to his chief as he stormed toward the front of the building. He hoped that she’d somehow come out during the exit chaos.

  “Okay,” his chief said calmly.

  Andrew didn’t hear the rest of the words that came through his radio.

  He went rigid as he looked up at the second floor glowing red from within. His heart hammered against his ribs as he hunched his shoulders to force his way into the hot building.

  “Buchanan!”

  He ignored the chief’s voice coming through the radio as he dashed through the flames, dodging the falling debris as he jumped three to four stairs at a time. Thick smoke billowed on the third floor as he swung his head from one side of the sweltering hallway to the other.

  “Daisy!” he called, then plunged into the first room, listening for even the faintest cry for help. He moved to the next room, calling again as sweat poured down his face, blurring his vision. The probability of death seeped into him, easing past the exhaustion and fear and the rush of adrenaline.

  “Daisy!” He ran down the hall, glancing into rooms, leaping out of the way when a slab of the ceiling came crashing down.

  A faint cough sounded somewhere to the right. Thank you, Jesus! He followed the sound through the open door, all the way to the bedroom.

  “I’m here, Sweetheart!” he said when he spotted Daisy’s tiny frame crouched in a ball on the lower bunk bed. Relief flooded him at the sight.

  “Mr. Drew!” she coughed weakly when he scooped her up in his arms. Her pale features and reddened eyes concerned him—she had to have inhaled a lot of smoke.

  Andrew updated the others. “I found Daisy!” He looked at the window, already vented, then described its location.

  “We’ll get the ladder over there!” Chief said.

  Daisy’s muffled coughs kicked up. “Are we gonna die?”

  “Someday, but not today!” Not when they had a window.

  “Cap!” Andrew heard Tim’s voice from the ladder company. He saw the ladder peeking up through the window.

  “It's time to get out!” Andrew said to Daisy.

  He carried her toward the window, but suddenly, part of the ceiling collapsed right in front of them. The entire world seemed to shift, and he threw himself over Daisy. He was able to block most of the debris from hitting her, but they were sliding as the floor buckled underneath them. The noise was deafening, and then the room went dark as the wall with the big window caved in.

  In the eerie silence that followed, all he could hear was Daisy’s cough and his own breathing. He took out his light and turned it on. The room they’d been in was now a small box with no opening, because they were blocked in by debris.

  Now he could hear his team yelling his name on the radio. Fumbling with the buttons, he told them, “I’m okay. But we’re not getting out through that window.”

  The heat was intense, but the smoke was more of a problem. It wasn't getting worse, but with no place to vent, it wasn’t getting any better, either, and the sheetrock dust didn't help. When Daisy’s cough deepened, he knew they were in big trouble.

  Forget rules—he was getting Daisy out alive. He would rather die than have Bianca lose her only daughter.

  It took him a few seconds to get out of his gear. He placed the oxygen mask on the desperate Daisy for a few moments and encouraged her to take a few breaths.

  Taking turns, Andrew knew there wouldn't be a good seal on the mask, but it was better than nothing.

  From the chatter on the radio, Andrew could tell they were taking action. Occasionally they asked him questions and he would answer.

  Daisy was full of questions, too, stirred by her fear. “Will I go to heaven if I die today?”

  “You’re not going to die today,” he assured her, even though he had no idea if his team had gotten the fire under control. He dug his fingers into the smoldering sheetrock, attempting to move a chunk out of the way, but the thing wouldn’t budge.

  “We’re gonna use a saw,” the radio crackled, and Andrew heard the sound of the saw powering up.

  “Get the reciprocating saw and I’ll knock so you’ll know where to cut,” Andrew said.

  “Got it!” Tim responded, and Andrew rapped on the area to cut.

  After what seemed like five minutes, there was a hole big enough for Daisy to fit through.

  “It's going to be weird.” Although she seemed barely conscious by this time, he explained to Daisy how they were going to get her out, then carried her over gently and carefully tipped her sideways through the hole.

  “You’re next, Cap. You’re gonna need to strip off your gear.”

  Andrew looked at the tiny hole. “You’re gonna need to make another cut for me.”

  He listened and watched the saw cut through the studs, then watched in disbelief as another mound of debris fell over like a black curtain in front of him. Darkness took over and heavy debris slammed into his shoulder, pinning him to the hot floor.

  Bianca! He envisioned her lovely smile. That smile would vanish as her greatest fear became a devastating reality, should he not make it out of the building.

  He tried to wiggle his body, but everything felt heavier than the seventy-five pounds he usually carried on his back. Every part of his body throbbed, his throat was parched, and his skin felt like it was roasting beneath his turn-out gear.

  The voices sounded farther and farther away. Bianca’s words replayed in his memory, “Nothing is certain in life.”

  He was aware of death, and knew it was a reality. What he hadn’t expected was today being his last.

  No! It couldn’t be his last. He had to have another chance to be with Bianca and to raise Daisy.

  He winced as he tried to lift his unmoving arms. His body weakened with every attempt until the wall of blackness closed in on him. He couldn’t see, think or hear anything.

  CHAPTER 23

  Bianca’s blood pounded through her veins as she paced back and forth in the hallway outside the ICU’s heavy double doors. It had been almost twenty-four hours since Andrew had been admitted for smoke inhalation, and he was still unconscious.

  She was thankful that Daisy had only minor injuries and had been released from the hospital six hours after her arrival with instructions to drink plenty of fluids. Bianca should be at peace, knowing that her daughter was now home safe in Mama’s care.

  With the love of her life’s survival hanging in the balance, she was anything but.

  “Hey.”

  She s
pun around at Leila’s voice.

  “Come have a seat for a little bit.” Leila put a hand on her shoulder, and Bianca realized her whole body was trembling. “Let’s go pray until Robert and Crystal finish visiting Andrew.”

  “I need to go back...I need to see him.” Bianca choked out the words as she held back the threatening tears. Her shoulders sagged as her friend led her back to the waiting room.

  Renee was slumped in a vinyl chair, her hair rumpled as she leaned awkwardly against one of the armrests. Next to Renee, Ezra sat with his face buried in his hands. Andrew’s family was the only group in the waiting room at this late evening hour, although several firefighters had been in and out throughout the night to check on Andrew.

  Andrew’s parents and both siblings had spent last night in the hospital along with Bianca. They took turns going into Andrew's room, since only two people at a time were allowed to visit him.

  Leila already had a prayer chain going with their small group at church. Just the prayer warrior she was, no matter the crisis, Leila took Bianca’s hand in hers and closed her eyes. “Lord, you’re the giver of life and second chances...”

  She continued to pray, but Bianca’s mind drifted after Leila mentioned a second chance. Exactly what she needed—with Andrew, with everything in her life, she needed to start over. Please, Lord, don’t let me be too late.

  “Amen.” Ezra’s voice pulled her back just as Crystal and Robert came into view.

  Bianca jumped up, as did Renee and Ezra.

  “Any change?” Renee asked the same question they asked every time one of them came back from Andrew’s room.

  Robert ran a hand through his graying, rumpled hair, his forehead creased with worry as he let out a slow breath and shook his head. He took his wife’s hand and squeezed it gently. Crystal had dark circles under her eyes, which were puffy from spent tears.

  Bianca took urgent steps across the tile until she reached Andrew’s room. She paused, sucking in a deep breath before turning the doorknob and pushing open the door.

  Her heart hammered, the same way it had each time she walked in and saw the tubes and beeping machines still intact.

  Drew! Her Drew still had his eyes closed, and his face under the oxygen mask was scratched and bruised.

  Her chest ached at the sight of a strong man, a hero, so helpless. She took a shuddering breath as she moved forward.

  She needed to remind him, for the twentieth time, how much she needed him. Sinking down on the polished floor, she threw her head on Andrew’s bed. “You have to wake up.” Her voice was shaky as she reached out to cradle his warm hand in hers.

  His chest rose and fell steadily—on the bright side, he was still breathing.

  She’d blown her chance to love and be loved by the man she didn’t deserve. Now he was grasping for his life because he’d sacrificed himself to save her daughter.

  She sniffled. “Please don't die on me. I can’t survive without you.”

  She would survive physically, but emotionally? That would be something else entirely.

  She sobbed for her daughter. “D...needs a dad.” And Andrew fit that criteria—he and Daisy had a special connection Bianca couldn’t break. Although she hadn’t brought up their fight, Daisy would never forget that it was Bianca’s doing that Andrew wasn’t a part of their lives any more.

  Had he been stressed about her breaking his heart when he plunged into the open flames of the building?

  She didn’t bother to wipe the tears that flowed from the corners of her eyes. What had been the point of her fears, when she was in so much pain even though they weren’t together any more?

  She couldn’t imagine life without him. “Do I have to lose Andrew, too? Please don’t let him die, dear God.”

  She wrapped her hand around Andrew’s and whispered, “I love you...I love you so much.”

  She squeezed his hand and kept talking to him.

  She had no idea how long she stayed with him, barely noticing the nurses coming in to fill his IVs and updating his vitals on the computer. It was almost midnight when she finally left the room.

  “Go home and get some rest,” Ezra suggested when she wandered back to the waiting room.

  She yawned. “I need to be here when he wakes up.”

  The fact that she’d broken up with him before all this mess happened made things even worse. She hoped she could tell him what a terrible mistake she’d made to walk away from him. There was so much she needed to say to him.

  Renee came and wrapped her arms around Bianca. “I'll call you as soon as anything changes.” She peered at Bianca after the embrace. “You need to be in good condition for when he wakes up.”

  When, not if. That was hopeful. She agreed to leave, clinging to Renee’s optimistic words as she drove home. She looked in on Daisy, finding her sleeping peacefully, and thanked God that her daughter was safe. Hard as she’d assumed it would be for her to sleep, she fell asleep the moment she sank onto her bed.

  She woke up early the next morning, took a shower, and got dressed.

  She glanced over at the couch where Mateo sprawled, eyes shut. Two empty bags of spicy chips and candy wrappers occupied the coffee table. It seemed he and Bianca had stress eating in common.

  He’s totally my brother.

  Mateo had not gone back to work since the day of the fire, and hadn’t left the house. At first, she’d been upset at Mateo for letting this happen to Daisy; but then, seeing how deflated and horrible her brother felt, her anger melted away.

  Accidents did happen and she was thankful for God’s protection upon her daughter. With Andrew’s life hanging by a thread, she didn’t have time to dwell on Mateo’s faults, even if she wanted to.

  The scent of coffee drew Bianca’s feet to the kitchen, where Mama was flipping something on the stove top. Like Bianca, Mama had taken the rest of the week off to care for Daisy.

  “How’s Mijo doing?” Mama asked as she poured a cup of coffee that she splashed with cream before handing it to her.

  Bianca sighed. “Not good.”

  “Eat some huevos.” Mama set a plate of eggs in front of her.

  For once, food was far from her mind.

  The only reason she was drinking coffee was to keep her awake for the day ahead. “I’m good, Mama, thanks.” She stood. “I gotta go check on Daisy.”

  “She stayed up late. She wanted to know if Andrew woke up.”

  Bianca lifted the cup to her lips and took a couple of sips, debating whether she should wake Daisy up. She didn’t have any news to report; it was best to let her sleep. “I’ll go back to the hospital.”

  “Finish your coffee, at least.” Mama’s pleading eyes met her own. “You need to stay strong for Chiquita.”

  That was true. She flopped back down on the chair, digging her phone out of her purse, in case she’d missed any calls while sleeping. She winced at the sight of the blank screen. “Ugh.. I forgot to charge the phone.”

  She ran for her charger in her room, then plugged it into the kitchen socket. Bianca tapped her fingers on the counter as she waited for the phone to power up.

  She blinked when Renee’s name popped up on the screen with two missed calls and a text she’d sent at four am.

  He’s....

  “Awake!” Bianca shouted the last word and spun to Mama, who was scooping sauce into a container.

  Mama’s jaw dropped. “Alabado sea el Señor!” She then made a sign of the cross with her hand.

  “Yes, Praise God, indeed,” Bianca agreed. Clutching her purse, she darted out of the house and into her car.

  Even if she got pulled over for a speeding ticket, she was determined not to stop until she made it to Andrew’s room. She was at the hospital in record time.

  “Is he still awake?” she asked the Buchnans as they gathered in a tight circle. Why were they not in his room if he was awake? Her heart lodged in her throat.

  “He’s asleep.” Renee walked from the circle and threw her hands around Bianc
a excitedly. “He woke up. Can you believe it?”

  “Go ahead and see him.” Crystal’s shadowed eyes warmed.

  A nurse was stepping out of the room when Bianca approached the door, but nothing was going to stop her from seeing Andrew. “I gotta see...”

  The plump woman must have seen her determination, because she stepped aside. “Uh...sure,” was all she said.

  Bianca slipped into the room and studied him. Andrew's chest rose and fell, stronger this time.

  Kneeling beside the bed, she breathed his name, taking his hand in hers. She had to see his eyes open to believe that he had awakened.

  “Drew...” she whispered his name again. “I...I love you.” She closed her eyes to let the words soak in. She had so much to say, but no idea where to start. She rested her head on the bed, and just let the words flow. “I shouldn’t have walked away from you...I didn't ever expect you to love me back, but you did, unconditionally. I got... scared and nervous, afraid you would die on me just like John did.”

  She cleared the lump in her throat, “I hope that you stay awake for a really long time, because you are my fantasy...”

  Andrew’s hand gripped hers back. “It’s the other way around,” Andrew spoke in a croaky voice. She popped open her eyes to meet a pair of soft blue eyes peering down at her. “You... are my fantasy.”

  She jumped up and cried out in surprise and joy. Reaching out to hug him around the wires, she bent down to kiss him...

  “I think I’m liking this kind of attention,” he said after she pulled her lips from his.

  “I’m sorry for doubting you...your faith in God is much stronger than mine.”

  “That’s not true. You’re stronger than you think.”

  She slowly stroked the hair from his forehead, gazing into the face of the man she adored. “Marry me...” She didn't want to second guess herself any more. “Drew, marry me now, please.”

  He stared at her as if she were crazy, and she definitely was crazy about him, after what had just happened. “Ask me to marry you again, like you did last time.”

  “I can’t.”