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“Everything is not okay. There’s a storm about to pass through the town. Everyone’s running to get supplies but neither Onyx nor I have heard from you. Don’t you need help securing the windows of that big house, dear? Or is that tenant all the help you need?”
“Storm? I was running around all day yesterday and I left town last night so didn’t hear anything about a storm.”
“It’s expected to be bad. Strong tropical winds.” G-mama yells something to someone but she must have covered the phone because her voice is muffled. “Listen, dear, I’ll rally some people to gather at your place and start preparations.”
“Okay, G-mama. I’ll come as soon as I can.”
“What’s more important is your safety. If things take a turn for the worse, I’ll let you know to stay away.”
We end our conversation and I find Cameron putting Jackpot into her backpack.
“What are you doing?”
He pauses to address me. “We’re leaving. I texted Deej to let her know we have to go.”
“But what about the convention? Jazzy will be disappointed.”
Cameron zips my bag then his and carries them to me. “Jazzy seems like the supportive type. I think she’ll understand your house is more important than a few autographs. Plus, I’ll find a way to make it up to her. For now, get dressed. We’ll leave before the roads flood.”
“Thank you.” I press his arm then rush to follow his instructions.
By the time Cameron and I make it to the lobby, Jazzy and Khadijah are already there waiting on us.
“Jazzy, I’m really sorry about this.”
“Don’t be. This just gives us another opportunity to get wasted at your place. I grabbed some muffins for you to eat in the car.”
I take a grateful bite into the muffin while Cameron checks out. We all follow Jazzy to the car. Khadijah jumps into the passenger seat beside Jazzy, causing Cameron and I to share a secret smile.
“It looks like the storm will head this way.”Cameron observes the darkening clouds and the strengthening winds from the windshield as Jazzy steers the car onto the highway.
Thankfully traffic is light and we make good time returning to Escondido Bay. We pull up to my driveway to find Mayor Salas, G-mama, Glamma, and five others boarding up the downstairs windows. Times like these make me question my parents’ love of natural light. With the twelve of us, we get through the work on the main house and bungalow quickly. By the time we finish the palm trees are bending from the force of the winds and the rain makes it difficult to hear anyone speak.
Inside the house, Jazzy hands out warm coffee and tea to my soaked helpers. The five volunteers my grandmothers gathered drink quickly then go to the next house in need of additional hands.
With the activity from outside done, Jackpot creeps out from under the couch to leap into my arms. Her body shudders as a burst of wind crashes into the side of the house. The storm is still in its early stages, but I begin to worry as I watch my grandmothers and Pedro warm themselves while Jazzy acts as my temporary hostess. I take my friend to the side.
“Jazzy, aren’t you worried about your place?”
She glances toward a boarded up window, her eyes shadowed with concern. “It’s Greg’s place, remember?”
“You are all over that house. Aren’t you afraid you’ll lose some of your keepsakes?”
The shadows spread from her eyes to her frown. “Isn’t it sad? What you said? I’m all over the house, but where is Greg? God, I hate that I’m so maudlin when I could be homeless soon.”
“I told you already, this will be your home if you decide to leave him.” I shove Jackpot into her arms and wait for her to loosen enough to hug the cat. “Whether you stay with him or not, you’ll want to save some of the memories in that house. The most important ones that I’m in.” I smile at her and raise my eyebrows in the silly way I do to lighten her mood.
Jazzy rolls her eyes, but nods her agreement. “You’re right. Someone has to take care of the place since he obviously doesn’t care.” She set her shoulders and raises her head. “Can I bring Jackpot with me?”
“And traumatize my kitty with this storm? I don’t think so.”
“You’re right again, but I had to try.” She hugs the cat to her chest and nuzzles their heads together.
“Make sure you call me to let me know you got home safely. I don’t know what I would do if I caused you to leave and you got hurt.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve driven in worse conditions. I promise.” She squeezes my shoulder and hands Jackpot to me.
As she says her goodbyes, Khadijah jumps up from where she is sitting and speaking privately with the mayor and calls for Jazzy to wait. I wasn’t paying attention before, but ever since we arrived, I spotted Pedro and Khadijah with their heads together a few times. From the look on Glamma’s face, she also caught the close conversations between the two.
