next to hers with no answer. I saw the shed and looked through the window by using my hand to clear away the dust. I saw the ladder and it gave me a new purpose. I felt ashamed that I would come back here specifically to make things right between my husband and me.
Picking up a rock, I smashed the glass to the door and reached into pull the latch. It swung open on rusty hinges and sitting alongside the back wall was this huge ladder that would most likely extend to the length that I was looking for. I picked it up and it was awkward and heavy, but I wasn’t going to let that stand in my way. Heaving it with everything that I had, I carried it down the sidewalk with sweat now pooling between my eyes.
The flames and black smoke had escalated in my time away. I managed to get the ladder in place, but I saw no sign of the woman that was begging for help. “I’m coming for you.” My scream was not met with any form of answer. Was I risking my life for nothing and had they already succumbed to smoke inhalation and the flames that were all around? I had to find out for sure. If it meant putting my life on the line, then I had no problem doing that.
It didn’t look like anybody was around at this time of day. It was going to take somebody that was willing to do what was right to step up. I saw a couple of people that had decided to stop by and see what was going on. They had their cell phones out and were most likely calling for the fire dept. I started to climb up the ladder and it was shaky. I started to think that this wasn’t such a good idea after all. Suddenly, the ladder became more secure and I looked down to see a man in a biker jacket holding it. He had short hair and I had to smile thinking that he was also taking the risk of getting caught into something that was beyond his control.
“I thought that you needed a hand and I was driving by. He motioned to his side and I looked to see a Harley Davidson. It was a beautiful gleaming black model that had my name written all over it. I’d always been into bikes, but never did find the time to get my license. I do believe that I was going to make the time. To feel that open road underneath my wheels with my helmet on for safety and the prerequisite leather was something that I could truly get my mind around.
“I’m glad that you were around and decided to help. I don’t know what I’m going to find in there, but I’m going to need your help. You look like you can handle yourself.” On second thought, the better place for me was down on the ground and watching, as his chiseled body made its way up the ladder. Unfortunately, I was already in this position and there was no point in changing things. “I would like to have a cup of coffee with you after everything is said and done.” I’d never been the one to initiate, but danger and the possibility of dying had given me the courage to say something.
“My name is Colby White.” There was something about him that made me want to know more. I had kept falling down in my life and I felt like I was running around in a maze that had no end. I had to believe that nothing would go wrong, as I shimmied through the opening in the window. I held my sleeve against my mouth, dropping down onto the wood floor to find the prone form of the woman that had called to me
I touched her throat and I found that she was still breathing. I also found that she was heavier than she looked. I had to believe that that had something to do with dead weight. I lifted her by her arms and hanged her over the edge. I didn’t know what I was going to do, when suddenly he appeared like my own personal angel of mercy.
“I have to tell you that I find your bravery to be very exciting. I don’t see how anybody could just walk down the sidewalk and not do something to help.” That was my sentiment as well, but there were those that didn’t feel a need to put their lives in the hands of the almighty above. “Pass her to me and I’ll try and