Evening Writer's Circle
…….quiet.
Heads down to computer screens or note pads,
words and ideas floating and swirling from busy minds to fingertips.
only the tap of computer keys punctuated the silence……………………..
BONG, BONG, BONG……FLASHING LIGHTS…..
heads snapped up!!……..
What’s that noise?!!!
It’s the fire alarm!!!!…..
Should we leave?!!……
computers, paper, pens disappeared into backpacks and cases,
jackets thrown on, we were led outside by our fearless leader,
Writer in Residence Pam Bustin, to gather across the street.
Sirens blared from two directions,
Regina Fire Department was on the scene in minutes,
from 3 or 4 firetrucks, heavily coated firemen strode into the building…..
.......still no smoke.
Police on the scene spoke with those of us evacuated about our reasons for being in the library.
Shivering in the cold evening wind, rampant speculation spread about whether there was real fire, wanting someone to tell us what to do next, learning that indeed there had been a fire set in building, pointing up to the second floor. I’m sure details will be in the news at some point. Some of our group had already left for the evening. Just as the last of us were about to call it quits, Pam told us that we were released while the firemen were completed their inspection of the building. In agreement in the cold, we dispersed to home and hearth.
~~~~~
What was I writing on? A project about epilepsy management! The alarm had been right over my head! Thankfully, seizure activity for me has been stable for over 20 years but had it not, it could have been much worse. Has given me pause to think about where alarms are in buildings!
“A jolt activates the mind like nothing else.”
~ Haresh Sippy, author
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