When I got downstairs the next morning, Daniel was already up, sitting with Dad, looking over his shoulder as he monitored the fires."So what's the latest word from the flaming frontier?" I asked as I poured myself an orange juice."It's not flaming enough to cancel school," Dad said."Damn."
The scene takes place the morning after a night filled with uncertainty, as the protagonist encounters Daniel and their father. Daniel is already awake and engaged in monitoring news about nearby wildfires, indicating a sense of ongoing tension. The atmosphere is casual, yet significant due to the surrounding situation.
The protagonist expresses disappointment when they learn that the fires are not severe enough to cancel school, reflecting a blend of teenage concerns and the serious reality of the fires. The mention of “the flaming frontier” suggests the dangerous situation, while the playful banter highlights a normal morning routine amid chaos.
