The Calm Before The Storm

Consolation Prize

~Max~

-October 2nd-

By the time I wake up the next morning, Chloe is already driving, soft music playing in the background.

"Burning the midnight oil again
Sitting out here listening to the wind
I just called to tell you that I miss you, my old friend,
Burning the midnight oil again"

I keep my eyes closed for a while longer, wanting to listen to the sweet sounds of Chloe's voice as she sings along to the country song we both know all too well.

"Last year we bought a house outside of Boulder
You know how Kathy always missed that rocky mountains sky
She said: Let's move before my folks get any older
So they can see the grandkids grow up for a while
I was just thinking of the days we ran together
Travellin' 'cross the country in that rusty camper van
Playing one night stands seems like it's been forever
Sittin' here like this sometimes I miss the band"

The song reminds me of William. Well, for Chloe it does. This is the song he'd play for her all the time before he passed. And after that... from what she's told me, Chloe hasn't been able to listen to country music without feeling sick from the memory of her father's death. but now, seeing that she's open to listening to this specific song again, especially as we're on our way back to the town that took nearly everything away from her... i can tell that the wounds of the past are slowly starting to heal.

"Burning the midnight oil again
Sitting out here listening to the wind
I just called to tell you that I miss you, my old friend,
Burning the midnight oil again

Yesterday your song came on the radio
You know it felt like you were singing right across the stage from me
And I remember how betrayed you felt when I said I had to go
But now I know that both of us landed where we're s'pposed to be"

When the last sent of lyrics present themselves, I can't help but join in on the singing, Chloe and I both harmonizing in a sweet duet.

"Burning the midnight oil again
Sitting out here listening to the wind
I just called to tell you that I miss you, my old friend,
(I'm just) burning the midnight oil again
I just called to tell you that I miss you, my old friend,
(I'm just) burning the midnight oil again".

Once the song ends, Chloe smiles and turns to me, lowering the volume on the radio. "Mornin' sleepyhead," she says, "Did you sleep well?".

I nod and yawn, "Yeah, and you?".

"same," she replies, leaning over to give me a quick kiss.

I giggle, "You're in a good mood. mind telling me why that is?".

"Well," Chloe says suspiciously, "Mom called while you were asleep".

"Oh, cool. What'd she say?" I ask.

"Apparently, word got out that we were alive and none other than Kate Marsh called the house, begging for us to come visit".

My jaw nearly drops to the floor and my heart thuds to a momentary stop.

"K- Kate... Kate's... alive?" I say in disbelief.

Chloe nods and turns to me with concern over my reaction, "You did save her, so that would mean she was in the hospital when the tornado hit".

She's right, Kate was in the hospital, but... I don't get it, how would she know to call Joyce to reach us?

Then I vaguely remember Chloe saying something about having known Kate.