Eye of the Storm (Hudson 3)

How dreary the world was again. As if to prove me right clouds rolled in and made the day dark and foreboding. I kept myself busy, cleaning and making dinner. The rain began just as I began to eat. It fell hard and heavy right from the start, pounding on the roof and windows. When the lights flickered. I held my breath. The thought of losing the electricity and making my way about in the dark was frightening.

Lightning slashed through the darkness right near my dining room windows and that was followed with a boom that made the whole building tremble. It rolled away like a dying growl, only to be followed by another flash and another crash of thunder. This time, the lights flickered and went out. I waited, my heart pounding, hoping they would come right back on, but they didn't.

It was as if a curtain had been pulled down in all the rooms and the hallway. Except for the occasional flashes of lightning, darkness ruled, turning each and every piece of furniture into a silhouette of itself, a shadow here and shadow there. I rolled back into the kitchen to look for candles and, feeling about the panty shelves awkwardly. I finally found some. I melted some wax at the bottom of a dish the way I had seen Mama do it and inserted the candle so it stood straight and firm. Then I lit it and placed it on the dining room table. but I had little or no appetite left.

Because there was not enough light, I decided to leave the dishes for later. I put anything that would spoil in the refrigerator, hoping that the electricity would soon come back on. Almost an hour passed and nothing changed. I decided to call the electric company to at least see if they were aware of it. but I was shocked to discover the phone was dead. too.

Truly shut off now from the outside world. I felt myself start to tremble. I tried to comfort myself, to calm myself down and finally decided that the best thing I could do was return to my bedroom and wait. These things could take hours. I thought, and there wasn't much else I could do. The storm didn't seem to be diminishing. In fact, the wind was whipping the torrents over the house, slapping the sides of the building and the windows so hard, the glass rattled and shutters knocked. I couldn't remember a storm as bad as this one during my time here. My luck, it had to happen tonight of all nights.

Suddenly. I heard what sounded like a small explosion and realized that somehow, the rear door had blown open. Perhaps I hadn't closed it tightly enough when my aunt had arrived. I heard the door slam against the wall and I rolled myself down the corridor as quickly as I could. The door was being blown so hard, it would soon be ripped off its hinges, I thought and reached for the handle. The rain seemed to have been waiting for me. A deluge of cold drops slapped my face and soaked my hair and clothes. I got hold of the door handle. Then. I had to struggle with the wind and hold onto the wheelchair at the same time. It was a losing battle. I didn't have the strength and I was getting soaked to the skin. Finally, I gave up and let go of the handle. The door flew back and then came back at me and slammed the side of the chair. I screamed. It had nearly smashed my arm and hand. Quickly, I retreated and then turned and wheeled myself away as fast as I could.

For a moment or

two. I just fought to catch my breath. Shivering more from my own fear than the cold. I carefully wheeled myself into the bedroom and started to remove my wet clothes. I had to get a towel to dry myself off. After that. exhausted. I got into bed and there I lay, waiting, feeling miserable. Despite my fatigue. I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard more noise. The periodic boom of thunder echoed through the open rear door, up the corridor and into the house. My teeth chattered. I closed my eyes as tightly as I could.

Why did I convince Austin not to come? I should have been more selfish.

The thunder seemed to get lower and farther away finally. I stopped shivering and felt myself start to relax. The rain didn't seem to be falling as hard either. Maybe it was over at last and the storm had moved on. I waited and listened and hoped and then I was sure I heard the front door open and close.

Austin. I thought. He did come. Good. I couldn't wait to throw my arms around him and hold him closely to me. We'll do what he said. We'll run off together.

Quickened footsteps could be heard. I sat up in the darkness and looked toward the open door. A flashlight's beam appeared and moments later. Aunt Victoria appeared. The disappointment nearly caused my heart to stop.

"What is going on here!" she screamed. "The rain is coming right into the house. Why did you leave the backdoor open?"

She turned the flashlight on me and I covered my face. "Why are you naked? Are you expecting him? Is he here?"

"No one's here," I cried. 'Take that light off me,"

She lowered it to the floor.

"You're a mess," she said. "It's lucky for you I've come just in time

"I don't want you here after the trouble you have caused Austin and his uncle. I told your secretary to tell you. Now get out of here." I screamed at her.

"I did what any concerned and loving aunt would have done," she replied coolly. "Even that uncle of his agrees. We've reached an understanding," she added. As long as he makes sure he keeps up his part of the bargain, it will be okay."

"You're horrible. I want you out of this house. It's mostly mine, after all. Grandmother Hudson wanted it that way and I understand why now more than ever. Get out. Did you hear me? I said get out!"

She brought the light up and grasped it with both her hands pointing the beam at her own face so I could see her eves glowing, her smile like a mask with fire behind it.

"Don't be silly," she said in a voice so calm it made me shiver. "you can't handle this yourself and I have a great interest in all that happens. I'm here to help you for as long as it takes," she added, her lips practically dripping the sweet poison in her heart.

"For as long as it takes?" I gasped. "What are you talking about? What are you going to do?"

"What I should have done from the start," she said. I'm moving in so you won't be alone."

"What? I'd rather be alone." I said.

"Of course you wouldn't, dear," she said. "And after all, with my poor sister so shattered and my poor brother-in-law with his hands full, who else can do what is necessary?

"Indeed, who always does what's necessary?"

"No," I said shaking my head. "I won't let you stay with me. I won't."

"You can thank me some other time,'" she said as if I hadn't spoken. "For now, let's just do what has to be done. Let's be family.

"After all, Rain, it's the least I can do for my darling sister isn't it?