Nothing to See Here

The routine is unchanged at the guesthouse, and the following three weeks pass in a blur. There is no Jasper, Madison, or Timothy—all are in Washington DC—and there is no fire. Things are also going well for the senator; Lillian questions the kind of vetting that disregards spontaneously combusting children and the suicide of an ex-wife. She and the twins, dressed in their Nomex suits, take a tour of the empty mansion. Mary lets them in through a back door, promising dessert when they are finished. In Timothy’s room, Bessie and Roland each steal one of the stuffed animals as “a kind of tax” (127). They eventually find their old room, now an exercise space, and more memories of their life there return. By the end of the tour, they are exhausted.

On another day, Carl arrives in a nondescript vehicle to take the children to the family doctor in Nashville. Jasper wants to assess whether their condition has worsened or improved. With the promise of ice cream afterwards, the reluctant children embark on the long journey. Dr. Cannon has long retired and receives them at his home office. He proudly claims to be a doctor both of medicine and the paranormal. He performs a routine physical exam and finds the twins in excellent condition, much like their father, who has never been ill. He asks about the origins of the flames, and Bessie and Roland explain that the fire starts in their chests and radiates outwards to their extremities. Dr. Cannon theorizes that it may be an extreme version of the natural ketosis process, whereby the body burns fat to make energy, and suggests a diet that avoids foods that make internal combustion easy. He also has paranormal theories: The children are either vessels for the Holy Spirit of God, and therefore prophets, or they are envoys for Jesus Christ’s second coming. Alternatively, the devil may be inside them fighting with the Holy Spirit, or they may be possessed or demonic themselves. When he suggests purging the children of this evil, Lillian and Carl grab the children and make a hasty exit. While Roland is disappointed and wants to hear more about the demons, Bessie is concerned. Lillian vigorously insists that they are not demons but rather normal children who catch on fire. Their anxiety turns to relief, and Bessie and Lillian share a laugh.

Later, Madison sneaks into the guesthouse and summons Lillian out to drink and chat. Madison is euphoric because they kept the children hidden and the vetting was successful. She is pleased “the guy died” as it means a move to DC (135), more visibility for her, and the chance to become a bigger force in the Democratic Party. When asked about the children, Madison mentions Timothy but needs to be reminded about Bessie and Roland. She claims she has not thought deeply about it but that they will likely go to boarding school in Europe to be “less visible, less verifiable” (137). Lillian objects, saying it will make them and the fires worse. She and Madison argue about Lillian being a hypercritical person uncomfortable with Jasper’s wealth and success, and Madison accuses her of unnecessarily holding on to the Iron Mountain expulsion. Lillian reminds Madison of her culpability, but Madison says Lillian never thought about her own struggles and pressures. Madison admits she is ashamed of her father’s payoff and says that Lillian truly is her best friend and that she wishes she stood up for her. She knows Lillian is in love with her, but they could never have a happy life together. Lillian asks Madison to “just say it” (139), but Madison cannot. Crying, Lillian implores Madison not to send the children away. Madison insists they will be okay with their trust funds.

When Lillian returns to bed, Bessie and Roland notice her tears. They all wish that they will never have to leave each other. Before sleeping, Bessie shows Lillian that she can start fires without being angry; she lights an arm and holds a small ball of fire. Breathing steadily, she then extinguishes the flame.