No official determination for the cause of the fire was found, but investigators believed it was due to a lit cigarette.
Recovering in the hospital, a member of the Atlanta Fire Department visited Dad. After questioning him for a brief period, the Fire Chief stood up and began to exit the room with a parting statement that haunted my father for the rest of his life – “You killed your boys.” At age 27, my father became a broken man. However, Mom never blamed him. Being a devout Catholic, she truly believed in the sanctity of marriage bar none.
She kept some keepsakes from the boys’ short lives; some clothes, a few toys that survived the fire; semi melted and smoke stained, and a burned tricycle – all are still in their home to this day.
Later in life, Mom enjoyed watching re-runs of old black and white tv series – “The Andy Griffith Show”, “Mr. Ed”, etcetera…all except “The Munster’s’” “Turn it!” would always be her demand. Oh, and that hole in her heart? Upon a follow up visit a few weeks after burying their sons, tests revealed no hole. Nothing. And no, there was never any procedure done before or after.
Some have asked how I relate if I never knew my older brothers. A good question. In elementary school, we all talk about our parents, ages, etc. I always wondered why Mom and Dad were always older than other kid’s folks. Around the house, Mom would have pictures of the four of us, but then two blank areas. She was always sad on New Year’s Day. You feel it…more than you know. I love them eternally and hope to play in the leaves with them one day. Damn. Just DAMN.
