Free Heating

The boiler’s ignition had broken three days ago. The repairman said the radiators would stay cold until a new part arrived. But Matt’s room was getting warmer every night. He told his mother. She checked the thermometer and shrugged. “Maybe it’s coming from upstairs.” That night, Matt got up for water and heard a tiny sneeze from the basement. Warm air moved through the pipes, and his radiator rattled. He put on his slippers and went downstairs. Orange light shone beneath the boiler room door. Matt reached for the handle. Another sneeze came from inside.