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When we reached Granny’s room, she was already sitting on the edge of the mattress, but one look at her made my stomach drop. Her shoulders were jerking with each cough, and one hand was pressed against the center of her chest.

The nurse in me took over before the granddaughter in me could panic.

With pulmonary fibrosis, her lungs already had less reserve than most people’s. Smoke inhalation was the last thing she needed.

“Come on, Granny!” I urged, moving to her side. “We have to get you out!”

“I can walk,” she rasped between coughs.

“I know you can. We’re still moving now.”

I grabbed her fleece robe and wrapped it around her shoulders while Willow hooked an arm under one of hers.

That was when the hallway smoke detector finally decided to contribute.

The alarm erupted overhead with a deafening shriek.

Willow snapped her head toward it. “Oh, now you wanna work? Now?”

“Willow, not now.”

“I’m just saying. The damn thing had one job.”

Even with smoke filling the house and our grandmother struggling to breathe, my sister still found time to argue with an appliance.

I took Granny’s other side.

“Kaidence, hold onto my leg and keep your shirt over your nose. Do not let go of me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

We moved as quickly as Granny could manage, half guiding and half supporting her down the hallway toward the front door.

The smoke was thicker near the foyer now, enough that every breath scraped my throat. Then a loud pop exploded somewhere toward the rear of the house. Sparks crackled immediately afterward.

I nearly jumped out of my skin. “Kaidence!”

“I’m right here, Mommy. Relax.”

His voice came from directly beside my hip, muffled through his shirt.

I almost laughed from pure nerves.

“Boy, do not tell me to relax while the house is on fire.”

“I was just saying.”

“You sound like your auntie.”

“Hey!” Willow protested.

“Everybody outside!” I instructed.

Kaidence reached the front door first and fought with the deadbolt until it finally turned. The second it opened, cool night air rushed in.

Willow and I helped Granny across the threshold and onto the porch.

The fresh air felt like mercy.