Tonight was quite a night.  The police were here, the fire dept. was here, the ambulance was here., etc.
I rolled in from work about 5:45… and I was very dirty, very sweaty, nasty, etc.  I chatted with my temporary roommate for about 5 minutes (its called going through a divorce, as he did about 2 years ago….)  yet I could tell he had been drinking.   I’m okay with having a happy hour cocktail, after a long day, but, I, personally like to go home, … I like cooking, I like relaxing, I like CNN, I like Discovery Channel, I like the History Channel, I like A&E, I like ESPN…. I like playing ball with my daughter in the yard, and mostly, I like nights when you don’t even turn on the tube. 
(Right now, I’m trying to find another place,… because this guy is beginning to scare me!, probably best not to ellaborate.)….So, anyway, I rolled in, cleaned up, and I was out the door, clean smelling, fresh, clean clothes, etc, by 6.  I went to have dinner … had a chicken fried steak and mashers (go figure)  then decided I’d go see the third trilogy of Pirates.  I didn’t have cash, so I stopped by the condo to grab some cash off my bathroom vanity.
As I pulled in, I could smell the smoke.  I looked up and there was smoke barrelling from my window and the office window upstairs.  I threw the trans in park, raced to the door, felt it, wasn’t too hot,… and then I opened it, and got knocked on my ass, literally, with smoke. 
Funny, I didnt’ really think or have time to…. I got down on my hands and knees, and crawled into the entry, through the living room, and saw Ken flat on his back in the middle of the kitchen.  The flames from the stove were at least 3 feet high, with smoke everywhere, very thick.
I took the flaming skillet off the stove, threw some water on it, turned the gas off, raced to open some windows on the main level, grabbed Ken and literally pulled him out to the front driveway.  By this time, I seriously couldn’t breath. And he was seriously out.  I slapped him around a bit, and  he came to.  He was what I thought he was, he was seriously drunk.  I left him with the neighbors.
By this time, Laurie, his neighbor, had already called 911.  Cops and fire department were here within 2-3 minutes.  I went in again and went upstairs and turned on all the fans, opened up all the windows, etc.
By the time I returned, Ken was being handcuffed and taken to Jail.  Knowing him, and what I heard him say, I’m sure he pissed off some officers.  Good for him.  He almost lost his half a million dollor condo by being completely stupid and irresponsible, but atleast he’ll sober up in jail., … well maybe.
Why do I feel compelled to help these guys?  I’m not sure.  Because they are friends?  Or in this case a business associate whom I’ve sent at least a hundred grand worth of business to in the last 2-3 years?  Because I know them sober, yet I don’t know their “alter” life?  Its weird.  I don’t have an answer there.
Ken’s Dad called me about 30 minutes ago and thanked me for saving his son’s life.  Perhaps I did.  Perhaps it was just another day.  But in reality, I thank God that I stopped by that condo tonight to get some cash.  The neighbors thanked me too.  Ken could be dead right now, and the situation could have been really bad.  Funny how things work.  Oh well.  It was just another day.  Although I didn’t make it to the movie…. dangit… !!!  But at least Ken is alive, and I have a place to sleep tonight. 
– J