Member-only story
October prompt: The Storm
Stormy Weather
What will be, will be
I was jolted awake by the civil defense sirens blaring. Hurricane Iniki (a Category 4 storm) was headed for Oahu. I called a friend who was living in a low-lying area, and suggested that she gather her important documents and photos, and bring her three young children to ride out the storm with me. I lived on a hill, where I hoped we would escape the possible flooding.
I quickly prepared for their arrival. Fruit, nuts, and bottled water were already in my cupboards. I filled the bathtub with water (for flushing the toilets should the power go out, and for hand washing), and put criss-crosses of tape on the window panes. I had coloring books, crayons, and stuffed animals to keep the kids busy.
The heat and humidity inside the house was stifling. We had lost power early on in the storm, as high winds toppled the power lines. We watched as the coconuts fell from the trees, and rolled along the street like bowling balls down an alley.
The rain was splashing in sheets against the windows. The kids were frightened, but we distracted them with books read by candlelight followed by a cool soak in the bathwater before settling them down for naps.
