Where Do Butterflies Go When It Rains?

Weeks have passed since the kissing incident. Phil is avoiding the family again. Stella feels embarrassed and remorse; she’s unsure how to apologize. It’s 10 pm; she’s helping Nana with the dinner dishes, when Phil walks inside the home and heads towards his bedroom. She follows behind him. “Phil, can we talk?” He opens his bedroom door, turns on the light and motions for her to sit. “Listen, if I’ve done anything to make you uncomfortable I apologize.” He looks away, and starts tending to the butterflies. “It’s just that, I think you’re cool and I want you to like me…..because sometimes I don’t like myself very much.” She wipes a tear from her eyes. Phil looks at her. “I’m sorry….” She says, fighting back tears. She quickly leaves the room.
Week after week, Phil continues to avoid the family. He’s had plenty to keep him busy including school work and household chores like sand bagging the property for the impending storm. The darkening gloom of the winter has arrived. The town is hit with a Tsunami-like cataclysm of rain, producing golf ball sized hail pouring from the clouds. The forecast proved accurate. This is indeed a wet one.
Phil hears Vince mention that Stella hasn’t made it home, nor is she answering her cell phone. He’s concerned. “That bridge off 5th may be covered in mud; how would she get through?” Jewel also sounds concerned. Lightning strikes; snaps and crackles break the silence. The lights flicker. “I’ll get candles” Nana says, running to the kitchen. Phil pulls on his rain coat and boots, and slips out of the house through the back door. He’s heading down the road to look for Stella. He’s walking through slushy piles of mud; he’s a soldier headed to battle. Wind gusts and rain are his enemy, causing him to slightly loose his stride; it’s slapping against his face and burning his eyes. He’s a warrior, wiping his face as he continues to walk.