Looking Back In Fifty Years

Jesse and Jenna listened to Grandma’s recollection of the wildfires around Table Mountain, from fifty years before.
“At first, the weather changes were mild,” she said, breathing heavily through the oxygen mask. Her hand reached to her face to readjust it.

“There was a girl, about your age, begging the world to change their ways before it was too late. Some thought she was a brave hero. Others, unwilling to change their destructive lifestyles, made fun of her. A choice humanity could ill-afford.”
“When did you realise that something was wrong?” asked Jenna.
“It was a warm summer night. The South-Eastern was blowing away everything in its path. Locals called it the Cape Doctor.”
“Why?” Jenna asked.
“We believed that it blew away any signs of pollution. If you had ever been in its way, you would understand why,” she laughed.

“That evening our cat became restless and woke us. Thick smoke already filled the apartment. The heat was unbearable. The natural reserve behind our building was ablaze.” The girls gasped. “The sound of the fire was deafening. There was no time to waste. Grabbing your mom, who was a toddler, and the cat, we evacuated. We yelled to wake others.” Grandma took a long sip of her tea. “Sirens and flashing lights were everywhere. Grandpa ran to help to put out the fire. Every time someone entered the makeshift shelter, I thought it was him. We never saw him again.”

Grandma kept quiet for a long moment. She looked up at the girls. “The fire engines were no match for the burning fynbos and strong wind. It took days for the fire to be put out,” she said. “It was the first of many fires around the fynbos areas. The leaders were warned that global warming would cause wildfires and other disasters. They wouldn’t listen…” Grandma rubbed her frail hands together, deep in thought.

“Now we have to wear these lovely accessories,” Jesse smiled to lighten the mood. She pulled at her sister’s oxygen mask.
The girls helped Grandma into bed. She fixed her mask into place again.