A Jading

the smell wafted like a dream. charred wood and red smoke. “benjie!” she yelled as i ran away down the hall raising my arm against the flickering heat. “benjie, come back!” she pleaded. “leave him alone!” i stopped and coughed. hot air rushed across my face. hearing nothing but the roaring smoke i froze-up -- torn for the first time between Comfort and Knowledge. then slowly out of the choking haze came a whimper and a scrape. and a punch shook the wall. i peeked inside the sizzling arch. hot pitch oozed from an overhead beam caught fire and dripped tiny flamelets onto the hardwood floor. he was there alright. shaking and sitting on the floor in the corner. i whispered: “what’s the matter daddy?” he looked up through crazed eyes of fire and hate. “go away boy”. then he cried and hugged his knees.