I Couldn't Sleep

It's been many decades from this date, and still, at twenty, I could not sleep. I lived in a maternity home with my baby. It was crazy not to sleep because I could fall asleep at the drop of a hat.

So I ventured to the kitchen of the house. Tina was there with a knife in her hand, laughing to herself. My baby was asleep in my room. I ignored Tina because I was told she acted crazy for attention. Still, I locked my room door just in case.

I still could not sleep. Minutes or hours passed by, and only Tina and I were up among the mothers of the huge maternity home. I walked the hall. Tina was laughing to herself. She motioned for me to come, so I did. She set Didi's room on fire. Lucky Didi was at someone's house that night. So I went to my room, grabbed my sleeping baby and stroller, not to mention purse—can't forget that—and went upstairs via elevator to the second floor.

Kim was on duty in the upstairs wing. I sighed. Kim was not good with shock. She took me to the hospital to deliver my baby, and she was in shock the whole time! Sure enough, I explained to her that Samaritan House was on fire, and called the fire department. Three times. Tina set Didi's room on fire. PATRICK, I need to call Patrick, Kim said. Patrick was our residential security guard for the home.

So she did. I stayed upstairs instead of outside because brr it was cold. I slept on a couch with my baby. Then woke up and was told it was safe to return to my room.

I found out from Nadine, my fellow friend, that Patrick called the fire department, and they were evacuated outside. Nadine said we needed to get Bonnie. Me. But I told her I was upstairs and told Kim about the fire. Nadine said you saved our lives! I said Patrick would have found the fire. But she disagreed and said Patrick was dizzy. So I laughed. But really, God kept me up so I could report the fire instead. God saved our lives.

Tina was evicted the next day, and the fire only went to Didi's room, so we were safe too.