Page 56 of The Things That Hold Us

I hang up, running down the street as fast as I can.

Did someone rob my store?

Did a pipe break and flood the place?

Did a car crash through the front?

All these different scenarios play through my head, and it takes everything in me not to break down.

Not until I actually know what happened.

“Charlie?” I faintly hear Logan as I run through our town square, but I dont stop, I can't.

My feet feel like there's a million bricks strapped to them as I approach my store. No matter how fast I move them, it’s just not fast enough.

Cassie is there, along with a fire truck, and so many people standing around watching.

I fall to the ground, watching flames devour my shop, and everything in it.

This can't be happening.

This can't be happening.

“Charlie!” I hear Cassie yell, but I dont move. I just sit and watch as my whole life disintegrates.

“Charlie!” she says again, and in an instant she's at my side with her arms around me.

“Hey, it’s ok. The people building next door were able to grab some things out before it got too bad, and no one was hurt.”

I understand she’s trying to explain a silver lining here, but I’m in complete shock.

I can feel the heat over here, and that just adds to the pain of watching the flames.

“How?” I finally manage to get out, my voice cracking.

“They don't know. They won't know until they get the flames under control, and can inspect inside.”

“My store.” I cry. And Cassie hugs me.

“I know, babe. It’ll be alright.”

“That's my store though! What do I do now?”

“Don't worry about that right now, ok? We’ll figure it out.”

I nod, knowing she's right but I just can't see how I can come back from this.

There's a loud pop, and the front window just under my sign shatters.

“Everyone back!” one of the firemen yells, and Cassie helps me to my feet so we can move.

I watch as my sign falls from one corner, barely hanging on.

“Here, sweetie, have a seat.” an older lady says, pulling a chair up for me.

I have no idea where she even got a chair from, I‘m just grateful for it.

I sit down, my feet unable to hold myself upright right now.

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