Page 131 of Engulfing Emma

“Because I’ve been through this before. Of course I’m worried, but I’m not going to panic until I have a reason to.”

I look at the TV, thinking that is reason enough. “You’ve been through this? Bass has been in fires this bad before?”

“Maybe notexactlylike this, but he’s been in some precarious situations. Is there anyone with you right now? Maybe you shouldn’t be alone. Can I come over?”

The truth is I want her here. I want both Ivy and Sara. But they have families. Kids whose fathers are in danger.Oh, no. Leo. I run to the front window and look out, wondering if Bonnie is aware of what’s happening.

“I can’t ask you to do that,” I say. “You have your daughter to think about. I’m fine. There is a friend here with me.”

“Okay, good. I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s going to be okay, Emma.”

“You don’t know that. Not for sure.”

“I suppose I don’t, but we need to hope for the best. I’ll talk to you soon.”

I put down the phone and turn to Becca. “She doesn’t know anything except that they are there.”

Becca nods to the tea. “Do you want something stronger?”

I shake my head and change the channel to see if another network has newer information. A reporter is interviewing a man covered in soot.

“I’m on the scene with Lane Folson,” she says. “Lane, you were in the building. You were on the floor where the fire started, is that correct? Can you tell us what it’s like in there?”

“It’s mayhem,” he cries. “It’s like 9/11.”

My eyes widen, as do the eyes of the reporter. She quickly tries to control the situation. “Folks, there have been zero reports that terrorism is associated with this fire.” She walks away from the guy, the interview clearly over. “Mr. Folson is worried about his coworkers and is obviously under a great deal of stress, but I’d like to reiterate that this is not a terrorist attack. Early reports from multiple building workers indicate it may be related to a gas leak. FDNY and NYPD are working closely with the utility company to locate and shut down any gas leaks that could affect neighboring buildings.”

“She looks pissed,” Becca says. “I can’t believe that man said that. Does he know he just freaked out half of New York City?”

“This can’t be happening,” I say.

I look at the time. Four hours until Evelyn comes home. What if the fire isn’t out by then? What if I still haven’t heard from Brett? What will I tell her?

I scroll through pictures on my phone of Brett and Evelyn and me in Germany.Why did I let her get close to him?I study the way she looks at him. It’s the way a girl might look at her father.

Thirty minutes later, I scream at the television. “Doesn’t anyone know anything? Where is he?”

“Emma!” Becca yells. “Someone’s at the door.”

I run to open it, hoping Brett will be standing there. But it’s Ivy and Sara. “Hi.”

They are alone. They don’t have their kids with them or their family or friends. Why would they leave everyone to come see me? I back up and sit on the bottom step of the stairs.

“You know something,” I say. “You wouldn’t be here otherwise. Is he dead?”

They come in and close the door behind them. “Maybe we’d be more comfortable in the living room,” Sara says.

“I’m comfortablehere. What is it?”

It’s bad. I know it’s bad. I know this because Ivy and Sara sit on the floor in front of me. People don’t sit on the floor unless they are about to tell you something terrible.

“Denver called,” Sara says. “He told me”—she looks at Ivy, and Ivy nods at her—“he told me Squad 13 is trapped above the fire.”

My mouth goes dry, all moisture diverted to my eyes, which are crying an endless river of tears. I put my head between my knees, feeling faint. “He’s trapped?” I sob through my words.

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