Smoke. I wanted no smoke. But all I got was smoke. Plastered on the side of my house was a scene far too distracting for my eyes to be led astray.

A car accident had unfolded before me. However, the collision of metal bodies was less of a hit-and-run, and more so a hit and awkwardly reverse away.

The crash left one car laying helplessly on its side, like someone suffering from an immense bellyache. Adjacent to this damaged soul was another vehicle in the yard; Surprisingly, this little hatchback was completely unscathed by the crash and was parked peacefully on the sidelines.

Like an obedient child, it just sat there in the narrow slit known as our driveway. Smoke emanated from its rear end at an alarming rate. The dark, hazy mist of gray consumed the air all around, soon spreading like wildfire. But there was no fire, only smoke.

Immediately opening my eyes, I resume reality in a confined darkness. The heat now draping itself over my skin has an all-too familiar feel to it. Then it hit me, I’m in my room.

Furthermore, I’m now left haunted by the fact that the very stench of smoke has transcended dreamland and joined me here. It’s 5AM on a Sunday morning. “What the hell is going on?”, I recall asking myself.

Unable to deduce the problem on-the-spot, I give my brain a few seconds to microwave. Listening and smelling intently was the name of the game. I figured I had just enough time to make a dash through my front door if things got dicey.

Suddenly, I hear the urgency lining the pitch of Aunt C’s screams. “Heeeyyy!!!! Turn off everything! Make haste! The thing in the kitchen smoking!”

Christ, it’s honestly too early for this.

DRRRRRHHH!

The power goes out, and the gang of hot air lingering just below my ceiling decided to jump me all at once. They battered me relentlessly until I bruised perspiration.

Nobody outside of my room yelled fire as yet, so I assume the situation was being handled. Not being inclined to interact with a handful of my relatives, I reluctantly left my hot box.

Now braving my way through the darkness, I find a gathering of beings in the living room and kitchen.

I pop a squat nearest the front exit, just in case things got heated. Cousin Ronald and my older brother are in the kitchen handling the problem. Ronald shines his phone light as my brother tussles with wires.

Apparently, a fuse in the kitchen’s fuse box was burning out, smoking, and sparking wildly. Luckily, after the power was shut off, the sparking desisted and the smoke soon cleared.

With some background knowledge in electrical work, my brother was able to remedy the issue in a timely manner.

I return to my room a few minutes before the power resumes. I felt too foreign sitting in the living room as the passerby shuffled in and out of my peripheral vision.

Reconnecting with my mattress I began thinking about our current scenario. It amazes me how quickly we drop our petty grudges in the face of a crisis.

It’s as if an unbearable degree of suffering, or simply grazing death coerces us to cooperate in the spirit of camaraderie. To function like an actual family.

Nevertheless, whenever the crisis has been safely averted, we return to our individual worlds, minding only the business that pays us. Well, me anyway.

The following day, my brother gave me more intel on the proceedings leading up to the burnt fuse. He spoke of his heroism and basically saved everyone’s life. This is how it really went down!

Coming home from work, he wanted nothing more than to clock out for a few hours. He headed to his room to do just that. However, this is when Aunt C came thundering at his door.

Alerted, he gets up and dashes to the kitchen. He meets Aunty L coming toward the ELECTRICAL BOX FILLED WITH FUSES with a HUGE BUCKET OF WATER!

Not to mention, this was water she managed to salvage in record breaking time. Also, for a woman of her size and height, she moves shockingly swift in the midst of an emergency.

He stops her and explains to her why she can’t dowse the electrical equipment with water, especially while the power is still on.

“What you want me to do? Let the house burn down!?” , she queried angrily in her raspy voice.

Mind you, I was still dreaming during this scene. But the very thought of it all makes me laugh. Like a dumpling on wheels, I envisioned Aunty L scooting full speed to (in her mind) save the day.

Additionally, I pictured the possible explosion in my mind. A smirk emerges to the front lines of my face each time I think about it. Could you imagine the headline in the newspaper?

‘Nassau Village Family Shish Cabobbed To Death By Fire Safety Negligence’ .

Frightening yet, HILAR.

Certainly, if my brother had not been in place most of us would not be here today. Furthermore, I do grasp the severity of what happened as it opened my eyes to just how dangerously ill-informed some of my relatives are.

Hence, I’m eternal grateful the situation didn’t get out of hand, that everyone and the house is still safe.

Likewise, I’m understanding of the fact that steps must be taken to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.

But until then, I will be chuckling at this near death experience for the days to come. Because that’s just who I am.

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