Page 43 of Praying for Thunder

From my swing set, I Scooby Doo’ed, “Rrr-rrr?”

The sun sizzled my skin. It was so bright Ani was in sunglasses, but not to hide. She didn’t do that anymore. I think that’s why she was even considering letting me out of her sight when not in Dio’s. “You want to go to school, Thunder?”

“Can I ride the bus?”

She gazed at Moola, who appeared delighted when saying, “Girl, I bet we will learn he’s gifted. He’s the smartest kid I’ve ever met. Plus, it’s time you guys live a little. You’ve built a safe life here. Let the rest of your fears go.”

Anita took a deep breath… “Niño, I think a school bus sounds wonderful.”

When I was enrolled, I thought nothing of the fabricated paperwork shared with the school. Shot records? I’d never had a shot in my life. The false birth certificate read Thunder DiAni Semloh. A social security card read numbers that were also bought—but that meant nothing to me. I didn’t even understand the importance of Ani’s fake ID that read Suzan Semloh.

Happiness was like a ride from one soft cloud to another. I had even forgotten what falling felt like, because Anita no longer lived life always watching over her shoulder, expecting a catastrophe.

Before I knew it, I had sailed through kindergarten.

Knowing two languages had helped my mind become a hungry sponge while at Sexy Myths. Being with Dio so much was a blessing, because he took the time to explain almost everything I asked about. During first grade, my teacher and principal even sat down with Ani and Dio, explaining they were considering me skipping second grade altogether, so that I wouldn’t get bored and rebellious. Ani worried about me getting picked on by older kids until Dio reminded her I was now bigger than most of them.

I guess it didn’t matter in the end.

I wouldn’t make it to the third grade.

One fire would change everything.

⚡⚡⚡

“Go to him…” The nonending blaze was moving as if a sea was on fire. The heat stole my breath. I grabbed at my throat, begging it to breathe, but the burn was overpowering. So were the screams…

I sat up in my bed. The terror of the nightmare had me in a deep sweat, running across the living room to the safest place I’d ever known.

The door was open, as always.

Dio was already sitting up when I barged in. “Thunder.”

I leaped into their bed. “Dio, there was a fire.”

His voice was low and calculating. “Where?”

My body slammed into his. “My nightmare.”

“Baby.” Ani was sitting up now. Touching my back, she hissed, jerking her hand away. “He’s so hot!”

“Dio.” I needed him to understand. “So much fire.” I was struggling to breathe. “They said to come to you.”

He stood with me tight in his arms. “Babe, turn on the lights.”

I heard her rushing, and the clicking of lamps, but I still didn’t dare open my eyes. Maybe it is a good thing. Ani suddenly screamed, “Oh my God!”

Dio ignored her. “Thunder, I have you. Breathe.”

I trusted him, so I tried to take deep breaths, even though they rattled in my chest. “Dio—”

“Yep. Right here.” He bent over, holding me to him, as if knowing the new position would help my lungs. “I still have you.”

Anita was hysterical. “What happened? Why does he sound like that?”

He told her, “Get the shower running. Cold.”

She ran to the bathroom. “Please help him!”