“Shouldn’t you get to work?” She asks in the sudden silence. “If you don’t go now, you’ll miss an entire day.”
“You’re right,” I say louder than I meant to. Reaching for the door, I pause. “Let me see your phone.”
“What? Why?” Her nose scrunches up.
“So, I can text myself from your phone. Then we’ll have each other’s numbers. How else are we supposed to set up our evening of no longer being a third wheel if I can’t contact you?”
“You have a point.” She taps her chin. “You could always just stop by the house. I’m living with Tonya’s parents right now.”
“Uh, Mr. Burgess isn’t exactly my biggest fan.” I shrug. “It’s nothing personal, he just didn’t care for me after the whole thing with Jake. Though things could have changed now. He didn’t seem upset that I was at the wedding.”
“Yeah it was weird with Jake and Charleigh being there, but if it works who am I to judge.” She smiles and hands her phone to me.
I take it, tapping out my phone number and send off the text.
When she sees it after I give her the phone, she snorts. “Friend in training, really?”
“Hey, maybe we both need practice in friendship.” I glance at the time on the dashboard. “Shit, I need to go. I’ll text you when I’m off work to set something up.”
“Sounds good. Be safe on your way to work.” Amelia motions to the rain still beating a steady rhythm outside. “You wouldn’t want your new friend to be left with the lovesick puppies alone.”
Nodding, I hop out of her car and into my own. Watching her pull out of the space beside mine and make her way toward the road, I dial the number to the store. Luckily, it’s Tony that picks up the phone. “Hey Tony, it’s Randall. I’m on my way in now. The battery on my car died.”
“Okay. Be careful, I heard some of the roads are starting to flood with all the rain.”
“Will do,” I reply.
“Seriously Randall, take your time. We’ve been pretty slow so there’s no rush.”
“Got it.” Clicking end on the call, I can’t stop the smile that takes over my face.
It looks like my day is turning around. My boss isn’t mad, my car is running, and Amelia is going to have dinner with me. Who cares if it’s only as friends? I can handle that. Right now, I feel like I can take on the world. Not even the rain can bring me down.
Five
Amelia
“I needto get my car here as soon as possible,” I announce to nobody in particular as soon as I walk through the front door. My hair is a hot mess and beginning to curl from the rain. I didn’t bother bringing the umbrella in when I got home, choosing to make a mad dash inside despite the downpour.
The house is quiet. I could have sworn Lucia’s car was in the driveway when I ran in. Slipping off my shoes, I look around the corner of the entryway. Nobody is napping on the couch. Weird. Someone should definitely be here.
The walk to the living room is kind of creepy. The lights are off, and the lights on the cable box aren’t even glowing. Shit, I guess the power must have gone out. Leaning over the couch, I take a quick peek out the window. My aunt’s car is here. The outline barely visible with the windblown rain swirling through the air. Where the hell could they be? The couldn’t have taken Uncle Jason’s car because I’ve had it all morning.
The flashlight on my phone is the only way I make into the kitchen without tripping over anything. Lucia has a drawer in here somewhere that has a bunch of candles and flashlights in it. I’m not sure if that was her doing, or Jason’s. More likely him since he seems to be prepared for every situation. I just have to find the right one. The contents of the drawer’s jangle and move around as I open and shut them.
It’s here, I know it. The house is almost completely black despite it being the middle of the day. The storm should have moved on by now. Or, maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Storms have always creeped me out. Probably because we live in an area where tornadoes can pop up without a moment’s notice. Either way, they suck. Pulling open the last drawer on the bar, I scream in victory. “Yes.” Nestled inside are five big candles and two flashlights. I scoop up all the candles, the lighter, and grab one of the flashlights.
Setting two of the candles on the counter, I light them before flicking on the flashlight to find my way back to the living room. It wouldn’t be so bad, but my aunt and uncle have decorative tables and art in really random places.
The last three candles are lined up in the center of the coffee table. Before lighting them, I scan the living room, trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do. The television isn’t working, obviously, and I don’t really have any hobbies. Flashlight in hand, I walk to my room. One of Tonya’s shelves of books is still in here. I grab the first book my hand lands on. I have no clue what it’s about, though it’ll give me something to do until the power comes back on. Book in hand, I grab the blanket off my bed and head back into the living room.
Sitting on the edge of the couch, I lean forward and light the candles before setting into the corner of the couch. The flashlight is perched on my shoulder and couch so I don’t have to hold it. The book cover is white with stripes and the title is written in orange. It’s written by someone named Colleen Hoover. I’ve never heard of her, but I’ve also never been a big reader. Let’s see what this book is about.
* * *
“Why are the lights off?” Aunt Lucia asks coming into the living room.
Crap. I fell asleep with the candles still burning. At least the house is still standing. “The power was out when I got home earlier.” A yawn escapes me even though I just took an impromptu nap. “Where were y’all?”