Page 15 of Loving Kai

“Yeah. Maggie?”

‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have called.”

He sat up. “Are you okay?”

“I just got an evacuation notice.”

“Damn.”

“And since I don’t have my car…”

Abe swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Do you need a ride?”

“It’s too much. I’ll catch a ride with a neighbor or something.”

“Maggie, I’ll come and get you.”

“Are you sure?”

“I just need to get dressed.” He stood up and headed for the bathroom.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Have whatever you’re bringing with you ready.”

“Okay. Be careful driving here.”

“See you soon.”

Abe ended the call. The rain was coming down hard, and every few minutes the room would light up with a flash of lightning followed closely by a crash of thunder. With a storm like this, it wouldn’t be long before they’d lose cell phone service.

Abe dressed warmly, then put on his coat and covered it with a rain slicker. He put on a ball cap, then pulled the hood of the slicker over it.

Even though it only took a few seconds to run from the front door to the truck, Abe was soaked when he got behind the wheel. He pushed the hood back and turned his cap around backward, then started the truck. The wipers barely kept up with the rain sheeting down the windshield, so he drove slowly along the two-lane road, through town, and on toward Maggie’s mobile home park.

Two sheriff’s department vehicles with flashing lights were parked at the entrance. Three cars pulled out of the neighborhood and passed Abe as he turned in and waved to Deputy West. The deputy stood in front of a barricade, wearing a raincoat and rain pants, with a plastic covering over his cowboy hat, which peeked out from under the hood of his coat.

Mikey walked over to Abe’s truck. “Abe?”

“Yeah.”

“What are you doing here? This area is closed.”

“I’m here to pick up Maggie. She’s stranded without a car.”

“Damn. Maggie lives here?”

“Yeah.” The rain was falling sideways in the direction of Abe’s window, but since he was inside and Mikey was out in the rain, he refrained from rolling the window back up.

“Make it quick. Most everyone has left.”

“In and out.”

“I’ll see you in a few, then.”

Mikey moved the barricade, and Abe drove past it. This time, he didn’t make a wrong turn. He drove to Maggie’s mobile home and parked in front of it. After turning his hat around and pulling the hood up, he left the truck and ran to the door. Maggie opened it as he reached it.

He stepped inside. “Are you ready?”