The Storm

Chapter Two

Alex was reading a book on his living room couch when he heard the doorbell ring. A few seconds later, he heard Juliet bark as she trotted towards the front door.

That's strange, he thought. What would someone be doing here at this time at night and in this stormy weather?

Alex pushed Kitty off of his right leg, where she has been peacefully sleeping. Kitty made a noise of protest and then gave into the push. She lied down on the pillow on the other side of the couch. Alex folded over the corner of the page he was reading and closed the book. He stood and walked to the right window next to the door.

He pulled back the window curtain, and looked out. Alex could make out the figure of a person standing on his porch, but he couldn't tell who it was. He reached to his left to switch the porch light on. There was a young woman, absolutely soaked from the rain, shivering in front of the door.

Still very confused, Alex cautiously reached for the door handle and opened it slowly. As the door opened, the sound of the rain became louder to Alex's ears, and a storm breeze whipped into the house. Juliet barked at the girl, and he had to hold Juliet back by her collar.

"Hi," the girl said over the sound of the rain and Juliet's barking. Her eyes looked helpless and nervous. She appeared to be a bit shocked by something as well.

"Hi," Alex said back, still feeling confused.

"I know this is really strange," the girl began, her voice shaking slightly, "but I was trying to drive home, and my car got stuck in the mud. I was wondering if you could help me somehow. You're the only house within the next mile or so."

Alex nodded. "Sure, sure. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Just soaked and shaken up a little."

"Okay. Here, come inside," Alex said, as he moved to the side to let the young woman into his home. She was dripping wet, and her shoes and calves were caked in mud. For the first time ever, Alex was grateful for his hardwood floors. The girl stayed close to the door as Alex closed it behind them.

"I'm so sorry for ringing your doorbell at eight at night," she said. "And for coming into your house muddy and soaked."

"It's alright," Alex replied. "Do you want to clean up? I'm sure you don't want to hang around in those clothes." Alex looked at her soaked jacket and flowery dress. Her long brown hair was soaked and tangled. He couldn't even make out what kind of shoes she was wearing from how covered in mud her feet were.

"Sure, that would be really great," she said.

"The bathroom is the first door this way," he said pointing to the left. "There's soap and towels in there. I could find something for you to wear. Do you mind sweatpants?"

"No not at all. Thank you so much," she said, giving Alex a grateful smile.

"Sure thing, uh..."

"Emma. I'm Emma," she answered, still smiling.

"Emma. That's a pretty name. My name's Alex."

Emma blushed slightly and began to reach down to take off her shoes.

"You can take everything off in the bathroom if you want," Alex said. "That might be easier. Don't worry about the mess."

"Okay, sounds good. Thank you, Alex." Then Emma walked over to the bathroom and went inside. She closed the door, and Alex heard the bathtub water turn on immediately.

Alex remained standing by the door, recapping what just happened. The night of one of the worst summer rainstorms of the year, a girl, a very pretty girl, showed up soaking wet on his porch. How odd, Alex thought.

He walked towards his room, just past the bathroom, trying to step on dry wood to avoid getting his socks wet. He entered his room and went to his dresser. He pulled out a pair of sweat pants that he knew would be too big for Emma, but they were the best thing he could find. He opened his tee-shirt drawer, and shuffled through it. He came across a small black shirt, a women's shirt. Alex felt the wave of familiar sadness begin to form, but he quickly blocked it out and shoved the drawer shut.

Alex made his way to the bathroom, paused at the door, and then knocked gently.

"I found some clothes for you," Alex spoke into the crack between the door and wall.

"Oh, that's great," Emma said. She opened the door slightly. She stuck her arm through the opening the grab the clothes, and Alex handed the sweats and shirt to her.

"I hope those are okay," he said once the door was closed once again.

"They're perfect. Thank you, Alex," Emma said through the door.

"No problem," Alex replied before he walked back to the living room couch.

Alex sat in the same place he was reading, by the lamp on the side table. He sat quietly meditating, still thinking about Emma's arrival. He also thought about how interesting it was that she was comfortable enough to shower in a complete stranger's home, a complete stranger that is a young man. He thought about how fragile she looked when he opened the door to her shivering small frame. He saw her dark eyes in his mind, her pretty dark eyes.

After a few minutes, he put his feet up on the wooden coffee table and grabbed his book. He opened it to the folded over page. Alex tried to concentrate on his book, but he found his mind wandering back to Emma. This is strange and inappropriate, he told himself. She's here for help. That's it. You don't even know who this girl is.

Alex closed his book and placed it back under the lamp. He lounged his body into the couch. Kitty meowed and quickly came over to lie in Alex's lap. Alex stroked her orange fur, and Kitty purred herself to a snooze. Alex felt his eyes becoming heavier. He thought that maybe if he fell asleep, he could stop thinking about Emma. Maybe if he fell asleep, by the time he woke up, she would be gone. And maybe she didn't even exist.