When the firefighters emerged from 1213 Poplar Street at 2 AM on a Tuesday, they were surprised to find the press. Who covers the fire department arriving on a residential block?
“What happened?” the reporter asked, holding a voice recorder toward the firewoman in front.
“It was a false alarm,” the firewoman said. “The carbon monoxide alarm malfunctioned. Everyone is fine.”
“What’s your name?” the reporter asked.
“Carmen.”
“Carmen, is there something that the readers of the Poplar Press should know to keep this from happening?”
“Yes, everyone should replace their carbon monoxide alarm every 7 years,” Carmen said. “What’s the Poplar Press?”
“This city block’s preeminent newspaper,” the reporter said with a smile. “We cover everything that happens on Poplar Street between 12th and 13th streets.”
“You just cover one block?” Carmen asked.
“You would be surprised how much happens here,” the reporter said. “We have 14 houses, which means the lives of 14 families, plus people who wander onto our street.”
The reporter took out a copy of the most recent edition. All editions were special editions when there was breaking news. The black and white paper featured a picture of the street with small black spots dotting the trees. The headline read Poplar Turns into Murderer’s Crow by Cathy Bishop.
“You’re Cathy?” Carmen asked.
“Yes, and if you ever need to convey fire safety, please call me,” Cathy said, handing off her business card. “Now I need to go interview the family. It’s going to be a long night.”
Cathy walked toward the house, and Carmen looked back to see all four family members waiting to be interviewed.
Carmen got in the truck and heard the husband say, “We were jolted awake by both the alarm and the sound of Becca yelling.”
“What was Becca yelling?” Cathy asked.
“Is it breakfast time?”