When I was growing up, there was a family that lived just up the street from us that we spent a lot of time with. The Steeles were my second family. They had 3 kids and their youngest daughter, Nan, was my age. Nan, my sister, Gina, and I played together almost daily. Our parents would get together at least one night every weekend and play canasta. Our families spent enough time together that it was natural for us to celebrate Christmas together and exchange gifts. One year, one of us kids received a Spirograph set for Christmas. I think it was my sister. We all were playing with the Spirograph set. We were at the Steele’s house and we were playing at a folding table that was set up in their living room. Our parents were at the kitchen table playing canasta.
Nan and I were completely into the Spirograph, but Gina had stopped playing with us. She had either gotten bored with it or was frustrated that Nan and I had practically taken over her Christmas gift. Anyway, she was standing against the wall in the living room. We started to smell a burning odor. Nan looked over at Gina then went into the kitchen to tell the adults that “Gina is smoking!” Gina had decided to lean against the wall in front of an electric wall heater. She had long, red hair that started burning when the heater kicked on. There were never any flames, but her hair was extremely singed. Gina received a haircut that evening before we went home.
