Stormy Skies (On Hold)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Tuesday, June 16th

Willow

            One moment everything is fuzzy and not working properly, the next some singer is screaming his head off on TV. It nearly gives me a heart attack.

            The electricity has been out for three days straight. Several times I have tried to call someone, but nothing has worked at all. Not the stove, the microwave, the refrigerator, lights, nothing. I had to use up all my emergency savings to buy us food from McDonalds and other fast food restaurants within biking distance.

            And then suddenly, it turns back on. Without any warning. All I can think of is, what the heck happened?

            Rose is happy when the TV turns back on, because now she can watch the Disney Channel. It wouldn’t make sense for her to worry. She’s been just fine watering her flowers outside and running with neighborhood friends in the woods. I couldn’t leave Rose to get to a pay phone, so I couldn’t contact anyone.

            Our phone suddenly starts to ring, and the hum of the air conditioning starts up. I can hear the computer whirring in the other room, a sign that it’s back on. But the phone! Oh, I never knew how much it helps to know you have contact with the outside world. I just take technology for granted.

            I pounce on the phone like a rabid animal.

            “Hello?”

            “Willow! Is that you?” The familiar voice makes me do a little dance right there in the hallway.

            “Mom! Oh my gosh, you have no idea what-“ I get cut off.

            “Care to explain to me why the phone service was cut off and I couldn’t reach you for three whole days?” Mom asks in a no-nonsense kind of voice. Oh no, she thinks I did this?

            “Okay, Mom, I know you think I did this, but the power! It just blacked out! The stove and the microwave wouldn’t work, and the air conditioning went out, it was so hot inside-“ Again, I get cut off by Mom’s serious voice.

            “Willow, stop yapping and tell me what happened. Is Rose all right?” she asks. Fine, ask how the little one is and blame the big responsible one.

            “Rose is fine. When are you coming home?” I say, changing the subject.

            “Right now. I’ll be home in an hour,” she says.

            “Mom, don’t leave just because of us, we’re fine now, really...Mom?” She has already hung up. I sigh and walk into the living room towards the TV. I reach for the remote and change the channel to the news.

            Last time I did this, the screen turned to static. Thank goodness it doesn’t this time.

            Tonight on the news there’s the usual. First a brief introduction, a ‘What’s coming up’ highlight, traffic, weather, then a review of sports, politics, and other worldly events., but no talk of the war this evening.

            Minutes pass, and finally, Mom comes home. Rose is in her bedroom playing with her Barbie dolls, but comes flying down the hallway and into Mom’s arms as she walks through the door.

            “Mommy, you’re back! We missed you a lot,” Rose says while Mom hugs her.

            “I missed you too, Rose. Girls,” she says, addressing both of us, “come help me unpack the car, will you?” She gives me a look that says “We’ll talk later” and walks outside.