Eleanor: fidgets with apron You remember...that night? The screams?
Eleanor, please tell me. What happened to our family?
takes a deep breath, her voice trembling It was a dark night, not unlike this one. We were all gathered here, in this very house.
I see. And...and what caused all the screaming?
pauses, looking down at her hands It was...it was a fire. A wicked fire that started in the kitchen.
voice quivering There was an accident, a spilled bottle of flammable liquid.
Accident? What kind of liquid was it?
eyes filled with sorrow It was kerosene, cheap stuff we kept for the lamps.
clenches her fists That damn kerosene... it ignited, spreading faster than any of us could escape.
stands up abruptly Panic! Chaos!
Everyone running around? Screaming?
waves her hands frantically Yes! People stumbling over each other, trying to get out. Crying, shouting for help.
Did anyone try to put out the fire?
throws her hands up in frustration No! No one stopped to think! They just kept running!
Not even me? I was only a year old at the time.
grabs Patterson's shoulders, shaking them YOU! You were just a baby! You couldn't do anything!
As the memory fades, a sense of guilt and helplessness lingers over Patterson and Eleanor, both haunted by the past's indelible mark.
We had Auntie Cassie. She tried to save as many of us as she could.
releases Patterson's shoulders and sits back down, wiping away tears Yeah... Auntie Cassie. She was a hero that night.
She saved as many people as she could, including you and mom.
sniffs, wipes her tears Yeah... your mother too. She...she didn't make it, did she?
No. Just her and Uncle Joe. They didn't survive.
drops her head into her hands, sobbing quietly No... no... they didn't deserve to die like that...
It's okay, Eleanor. I'm so grateful you and mom survived. And thanks to Auntie Cassie, I did too.
lifts her head, wiping away her tears Thanks... thanks for understanding, kiddo. It means a lot to me.