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“You’ve listened to the Weather Channel more than I have today,” said Susan. “What’s the latest?”
“Cat two bordering on three.” Jo sighed. “It’s not going to be pretty. Of course, you never know how much sound tide there will be, but for sure our beach is going to take a hit, and then there’s the wind. You would know more than me what to expect.”
“Well, they say Evelyn was a strong two, so if this is worse, it’s going to be rough. And to think during Evelyn, I thought we’d be back in business in a day. It sure didn’t work out that way.”
Susan lapsed into silence as they drove to the airport, the highest point on the island.
Turning into the airport entrance, Jo exclaimed, “You’d think people were here to board planes to evacuate, instead of just parking their cars. Look at all this traffic! We’ll have to go pretty far along to find a space. Guess people have been bringing vehicles here all day.”
Sure enough, they were almost to the campground entrance past the airport when they found a spot, and Dare was, as promised, waiting for them.
“How in the world did you know we’d be parking right here?” Jo asked.
“Pretty easy,” Dare grinned. “I knew it would be packed, and coming at this time I just kept driving until I figured this is where you’d have to stop. I think everyone from Buxton south has parked here. There was no one even at the Baptist Church lot and that’s usually packed.”
“The sound tide would have to be something to get to the church,” Susan shook her head. “But with what they are predicting, I guess no one wants to take chances.”
Dare looked carefully at Susan, her gray hair now flying about her face with the increasing wind. “Miss Susan, I hope you made the right decision to stay. You and Jo both. The talk at the docks today has been the most concerned I’ve ever heard. I’ll try to keep up with you as much as I can tonight, but who knows how long the cell towers will hold up if we get the wind they’re predicting. I’ll be staying with Mom and Dad, at least it’s a bit of higher ground there and in the woods.”
“It’s a bit late for me to worry about my decision now, Dare,” Susan answered. “But let’s get on so that you can get us home and then you get onto your folks’ place.” She smiled at him fondly. “I’m glad you’re going there. Your little place at the docks? Well, probably not the safest.”
“Agreed,” nodded Dare. They were quiet as they returned to the highway. Traffic was all but non-existent with people either already home or off the island. Susan realized she no longer saw windows covered with “Xs” as they had been during Evelyn. That method of saving windows had been proven not to work very well. Instead, there were plywood panels on windows and doors everywhere with messages to Hurricane Eva, advising her to “Leava” or other such silly sentiments.If only that could be the case, Susan thought wistfully.
“I really think we’ve got everything covered, Dare,” said Susan as they pulled up to her house. “Jo and I put all the shells and plants and yard tools and what-not in the shed last night. And her bike and whatever else we thought might fly around.”
Dare scanned the property under the house and took a quick glance up at the porch railings. “Looks like it,” he agreed. “Then I will head on out. Please take care, OK?” He gave Susan a quick hug and turned to Jo. “I mean it, call me if you need anything, Jo. Don’t be a hero. Please.”
Jo shrugged and then smiled. “I won’t. I’ve got Gran to look after and I take that responsibility seriously. You take care too.” She walked over and gave him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek. “And thanks for everything.”
They both waved as he drove away and then climbed up the steps and stood on the porch looking at the sun just beginning to go into full sunset mode.
“Those colors are weird, Gran,” said Jo. “Was it like that with Evelyn?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Very similar,” Susan responded as she took in the purples, pinks, and reds. “Never thought I’d see that kind of sky again, but here we are.”
“You know, Gran,” said Jo as she unlocked the door and they walked into the house together. “You’ve never really told me about how it was with Hurricane Evelyn, and how you coped afterward, and you know, what happened after that with Mom. She added almost shyly, “She says she never asked you. That she didn’t want to hear it.”
“That’s true,” sighed Susan. “And I’m not sure you need to hear it either, but you have asked, and so maybe it’s only fair that you know what happened. All of what happened. And why things turned out the way they did. You’re old enough for sure.” Looking out the window, she stated, “It’s not an easy story for me to tell, so let’s get some dinner first and get settled in for the night ahead.”
Jo nodded and flipped on the television just as the announcer intoned, “This storm is strengthening by the hour and we can only hope folks evacuated or have a solid storm plan in place. We’ll keep you informed with live coverage throughout the …”
Jo flipped off the station. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough. No need to hear it over and over.”
But Susan didn’t reply. She was still looking at the sunset, and felt that same chill settle over her.
ChapterTwo
They worked together to finish washing and drying the few dishes they’d used for supper, neither one having had much appetite.
“I hear that whining sound you always mentioned,” remarked Jo as she put up the last glass into the cupboard. “It really is annoying.”
“It will be with us now for the duration,” said Susan. “It about drove
me crazy during Evelyn. It just won’t stop.”
“Well, maybe if we keep ourselves occupied with stimulating conversation, we won’t notice so much,” said Jo. “You did say you would tell me about the other storm and you know,” she shrugged, “about Mom and all. You don’t have to tell me things that make you sad or anything, but I am trying to understand it all.”
All of it makes me sad,thought Susan.
