COMING SOON

Chapter 1

We had to evacuate. We woke to a blanket of smoke surrounding an eerie orange-red sky. The air was choking me with each step as the heat and ash clung everywhere, my clothes sticking to my body. Adjusting the mask across my face, I dragged the suitcases to the car, sweating at the exertion.

Entering the house one last time to close the windows, it was difficult to ignore the sadness on Geri’s face. The curtains, removed and piled in the living room corner, seemed a testament to our exile. Carrying a box of legal files, my sister moved at a snail’s pace while committing to memory the treasures we could not bring with us. We’d taken photos of the contents in each room before loading the car as full as possible with smaller pieces dear to our hearts. I waited silently while Geri made her way out the front entrance before I closed the door, leaving it unlocked, following the fire marshal’s instructions.

Together, we loaded the last of our belongings, as much as we could fit into my SUV. The fire was fearfully close now. A wind shift was all it would take to be within the range of the magnificent trees and trails surrounding our forest home. Last, we tucked the first aid kit, water bottles, face masks, dog food, and snacks into the back seat next to our corgi, Jack, already in his crate. His soft brown eyes seemed confused as he watched us prepare to leave.

It would have been much more convenient if we’d had Geri’s car in the shop for an engine repair, but fires don’t wait on convenience. The life-saving red trucks were rumbling up the two-lane roads and past our small side street, reminding us we had to go. We were leaving earlier than many of our neighbors waiting until the last minute, but the evacuation order was imminent. I climbed into the driver’s seat, sitting high and straight behind the steering wheel.

Geri slowly slid across the leather seat on the car’s passenger side, glancing over as she said incredulously, “Ginny, you remembered to take the knocker off the front door.”

“How could I forget, sis? You reminded me at least ten times!” I tried to laugh, but the acrid smell of the smoke was biting down my throat.

She gave me a faint smile, then turned towards our home of more than thirty-five years. “We’d better go,” I said. “Keep your mask on till we can make it down the mountain and out of the smoke.” Still, we took one more minute to make a memory before I turned over the engine as my sister and I, identical twins, drove away.

I wound our way down the mountain roads, snatching glances at the beauty of the redwoods, the valley landscapes, and the vineyards threatened by the multiple fires in the Northern California National Forests. I sat up straighter in the seat, resolved to be the strong one. Seventy-four years old is a hell of a time to face the possibility of starting over. I peeked over at Geri, composed but pale, the silver fringe of her bangs barely brushing the broad forehead above her almond shape black eyes—the same as mine.

Geri sucked in a shallow breath under the mask, which turned into a wheeze. Then she smoothed out her face, ensuring she blocked the emotions choking her as much as the foul air outside. Sis wasn’t as strong as she used to be. Years of smoking and a few bouts with bronchial pneumonia left her with a weak chest. I hated to hear that cough coming from her bedroom in the early morning. Guess there wasn’t much to do about it in any case. Geri loved her forbidden smokes as much as I loved sneaking pieces of hard candy into my pockets. She was feminine and self-assured, whereas I was the one in blue jeans and sweatshirts, sometimes a bull in a china shop. But my sister meant the world to me, our differences didn’t matter.

I chanced another glance at the passenger seat. She was watching the vistas flashing by.

“Stop worrying Gin. I can feel your tension,” my sister looked at me and added sarcastically, “Just drive. Carefully, unlike the lead-foot drag racer you normally are.” She turned her head back to the window.

I was just about to say something pithy when Geri screamed, “Stop, Ginny! Stop!”

I slammed on the brakes, veering to the shoulder of the mountain road. The gravel was spitting on both sides of the car as I shuddered to a halt. Geri opened the passenger door, springing out almost faster than the brakes could take hold. There on the side of the road, a dog lay panting. As Geri slowly approached, the golden retriever rose to her feet. Tongue hanging out, she shook her red-gold coat, emphasizing her size with one colossal bark.

“Okay milady, how did you get here? You need some water?” Geri softly crooned. “Grab Jack’s water bowl, would you, sis? This lady needs something to drink.”

My heart was still pounding from the fright. I punched the four-way flashers on. Although we’d opted to leave early, there were sure to be more cars zooming down the mountain road behind us; I didn’t want to get rear-ended. Gingerly, I opened the car door, stashing the keys in the pocket of my old coveralls.