Her Vision

Chapter 7

"Class is dismissed. Have a happy Thanksgiving and remember reports are due when we return, hopefully on Wednesday due to the hurricane!" The English professor spoke in high hopes that the school wouldn't be flooded due to the weather heading our way. 

Before students were able to stand, cell phones buzzed with a loud weather warning. 'Flash flooding, hail, and tornado warnings around your area,' the warning read. 

I jumped out of my chair, put on my raincoat, and darted towards the parking lot to meet Gabriel. He walked me to class every morning and met me next to my car every afternoon. We've been spending a lot of time together, talking at the marina, going to the movies, trying out local restaurants, and bowling. 

I was greeted with a drizzle before spotting Gabriel standing by my car. 

"Anne!" Gabriel waved excitedly, not bothered by the rain. 

"Hey, Gabriel!" I walked faster, splashing puddles with my polka dot rain boots. 

"Are you going to work? I can meet you there in a bit," Gabriel greeted me with a hug. 

"No, I am surprisingly off until Friday morning so I can work Black Friday, but I'm going to help mamaw with the pies for tomorrow. Are you going back home for Thanksgiving?" 

"Um, no I cannot go back home right now," Gabriel responded, technically not telling a lie. 

"Oh, it wouldn't be safe for you to take a plane in this horrible weather anyway. It's strange. Louisiana never experiences a category 1 hurricane this late in the year. Why don't you come to my mamaw's house with me! We cook plenty of food and it is always the four of us. You will love the Cajun turkey, it's paw's specialty. I don't understand it, they never make traditional turkey, but it tastes amazing," 

"Sure. Should you be driving in this weather?" Gabriel shrugged not understanding the point of a once a year feast. In heaven, they feasted together often, since friends and family were so important. 

"The storm is only a category 1, Gabriel. There will be rain and wind like a regular summer thunderstorm. The bad weather will be over by the morning I am sure. Can you meet me at my house tomorrow at 9:30 sharp, unless you are afraid of a little rain!" I teased. 

Gabriel nodded and we hugged goodbye. I sat in my car and drove away with butterflies in my stomach. I took deep breaths over and over.  The thought of Gabriel meeting my family tomorrow made me more nervous than the storm that was coming. 

I drove through the tunnel that led to the east side of town where my grandparents lived. The rain started coming down hard. I turned on my windshield wipers and drove carefully. I could have sworn the sky filled with those spine-chilling shadows, but when I blinked they were gone. 

"God, my imagination is running wild today," I told myself as I pulled up to the house I've been living in since I was five. 

The house had light yellow siding, a red door connected to a small porch, and two magnolia trees in the front yard. I pulled my hood on, jogged up the front steps, and walked into the front door. 

"Hey, mamaw," I called out. 

The house smelled like apples and cinnamon, one of my favorite scents. I walked to the bright white and red kitchen filled with rooster decor and found mamaw wearing her favorite apron that said "mamaw's house full of love and grub". She stood at the kitchen sink washing her hands. 

"Hey, Anne! I am so glad you made it safe. Take off your raincoat we have so much to do. I already peeled the apples, I just need you to cut them. I'm about to start the batter for the crust. What do you think of this weather? I told your paw it was a hot year and the hurricanes would be terrible, but a hurricane at Thanksgiving, that is a first in all my years," mamaw rambled in her Cajun accent. 

"It'll just be some rain, nothing unusual for Louisiana," I shrugged and set my raincoat on the back of the kitchen chair. " Before we start; quick question, can I bring a guest tomorrow? His family doesn't live here." 

"Of course Anne! And he? Are you not telling me something? It is so delightful to see you making friends!" mamaw beamed. Her strong southern hospitality always glowed on top of the bright white light that shadowed behind her. 

I texted Gabriel 'can't wait to see you tomorrow', then washed my hands to help mamaw with the baking. We talked about everything under the sun, and as much as she hovered over me, it was so great to catch up. 

That night, thunderstorms and wind blew through South Louisiana. I stayed awake most of the night watching the lightning light up the sky and listening to hail beating on the window. 

Regardless of lack of sleep, I woke up early to rain still falling onto the wet earth. Despite the weather, I couldn't wait to spend the day with Gabriel. I picked out my favorite thin sweater and took a quick shower. 

"Coming!" I called out an hour later when I heard a knock on the door.

 I quickly put lip gloss on my lips to finalize my makeup and brushed my fingers through my hair one last time. I nervously opened the door for Gabriel. He was so good to look at. He wore a blue button-down shirt that made his blue eyes and pale skin glow. The light appeared to radiate off his skin more than usual, but maybe it was the dreary sky that made the light look brighter. Mr. Mittens jumped from the bean bag chair he snoozed on. He started hissing and jumping all over the place. 

"What's wrong?" I grabbed my cat and snuggled him. 

I walked back over to Gabriel. Mr. Mittens hissed and jumped from my arms. He ran away before I could blink. "He never acts like that!" I held my mouth open in shock.

"It may be the weather that scared him. Are you ready to go? " Gabriel asked, slicking his hair back to wipe the raindrops off. 

"Yes," I grinned and grabbed my keys and purse, brushing off the event that just played out. We headed out to mamaw's house for Thanksgiving filled with excitement. 

"Just a heads up...." I said breaking the sound of the rain hitting the windows, "My family is overbearing, they will ask way too many questions about you, but don't feel obligated to answer them." 

"Anne, it will be fine, I'm sure they are sweet," Gabriel patted my hand. 

The familiar shock from his touch flowed through my veins. I swiftly pulled away in fear my hand would go numb again.

"Are you alright?" 

"Oh...yes. I'm feeling nervous about bringing you to meet my family." 

I drove silently while Gabriel watched the raindrops slide down the window. He seemed to be intrigued. I turned into my childhood driveway and let out a breath. I hardly knew Gabriel and I knew my family would ask so many questions. A part of me was hoping he would answer, so I could learn more about him. I was also hoping they wouldn't ask me anything about him because there weren't many questions I could answer. I wanted to die of embarrassment just thinking about my family's curiosity.

 "Hey, mamaw, paw, and Justin," I greeted my grandparents and brother as Gabriel and I entered the living room. 

My mamaw kissed my cheek and hugged Gabriel. "Oh, you must be Gabriel! We've heard so much about you. I am happy you didn't get too wet getting here, this is some crazy weather for this time of year," my mamaw greeted us eagerly. 

"Yes, I'm Gabriel. It is a pleasure to meet you," Gabriel smiled keeping his reply simple and to the point. 

"Do you like football? The Patriots and Packers game is on," my paw welcomed Gabriel.

 "Um... I am not too familiar with football," Gabriel bit his lip. 

"Well, I'll teach you. Sit down and get comfortable. Anne, you can go help your mamaw in the kitchen." My paw patted the brown leather couch cushion next to him signaling Gabriel to sit.

 Gabriel sat, smiling uncomfortably. At least it looked like an uncomfortable smile.

"Anne, he seems so respectful! And he is so handsome! Y'all could make me some pretty great-grandbabies; well of course not now, but once you finish college!" my mamaw squealed and gushed like a teenager going on her first date.

 "Our relationship is not like that mamaw. We are friends, nothing more," I said as I pulled the turkey out of the oven. 

"Oh Anne, you deserve to be happy. Give it a chance, don't shut out the good things in your life because of the bad things that have happened to you. Bad things don't happen every time you are happy!" Mamaw said pulling the pineapples and cherries off the ham. 

I set the turkey on the counter next to the rice dressing. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, nothing could compare to mamaw's Cajun cooking, but I would happily live without her constant obsession with my life.

 "Anne, are you still seeing the lights?" my mamaw whispered. 

My cheeks turned red and my heart started racing. "Mamaw! Hush! No one knows about that. No, I don't see them! We discussed this a thousand times," I huffed and walked off. 

"Anne, I'm sorry." 

"Dinner is served," I yelled cutting her off. I didn't want to hear her apology she knew how I felt about her bringing up my past, yet she still did it. 

The silence at the table was awkward after our exchange. I just concentrated on my food and tried to ignore the bright lights surrounding me in such a small area. I gazed mostly at my brother since his light was the dimmest. His was a light white, almost gray. 

"So, Gabriel were you raised around here?" my mamaw asked, finally breaking the silence. 

"No, ma'am. I am from Washington. Nothing interesting there except trees and clouds," Gabriel answered not blinking an eye. 

It sounded like he was on autopilot, always ready to answer with the same response. 

"How's college going, Anne?" Paw asked. 

"College is fine. Average grades. I have been studying for finals." I replied. "How is everything holding up with the weather? No broken windows or anything?" He always did worry about me, but it has gotten worse since I moved out on my own. 

"Everything is fine. Don't worry, I will call you if something happens," I said taking a bite of food. 

"So, if you don't like football, know nothing about cars, you don't hunt or fish, what do you like besides my sister?" Justin questioned Gabriel with his usual rude tone. 

My blood started boiling again. Justin was always rude to everyone, especially anyone that was with me. 

"Justin, have you ever found a girlfriend yet?" I challenged knowing that was a touchy subject for him since his face had a lot of scarring from the accident.

 "Actually Anne, yes, but I won't bring her around my family until I ACTUALLY know her."

 "Oh, because getting to know her means anything to you." I rolled my eyes.

"That's enough you two." Paw fussed. 

Suddenly, the TV buzzed loudly with a weather emergency. Red capital letters that read flooding scrolled across the screen and a news reporter started talking. My paw turned up the TV. "A Thanksgiving that's not so Thankful down in New Orleans, flooding throughout the whole city, waters 5 or more feet deep in homes, businesses, and stores. Over 100,000 people are out of electricity here and in surrounding areas. This storm snuck up as a surprise and because of that, so many did not evacuate to the "gentle" threat. Many found hurt, but also many survivors. We will keep you updated here at Fox 8 news," The reporter clicked off and switched to a TV anchorman and woman with photos of the storm flashing on the screen behind them. 

"Oh, how blessed and lucky we are. Our electricity is still on somehow," My paw said and turned down the TV. 

"A flood," Gabriel said and stared ghostly into space. 

"Gabriel, are you okay?" I asked. 

"I cannot believe a flood happened," Gabriel said again on autopilot.

 "It happens, Gabriel. Not usually at this time of year, but the community will come together. We always do." my mamaw assured, patting Gabriel's hand. 

The rest of the dinner was quiet and filled with small talk, but Gabriel seemed distracted in his thoughts. Once I helped mamaw clean the kitchen, I was ready to leave and sleep through this nasty weather.

 "Anne, I need to talk to you. Alone," Justin pried standing in front of me, eyeballing Gabriel. 

"About what?" I crossed my arms over my chest. 

"Alone," he hissed and started walking to the back door. 

"Go ahead. I am enjoying watching football," Gabriel assured me. My paw started explaining football gibberish to him that I didn't comprehend. 

I walked outside on the small deck my paw built years ago. A glider swing sat on the deck facing the carport and shed in the large back yard. The rain patted musically on the metal awning above us. I looked at Justin waiting on him to speak. The small light he had left behind him was black.

"Anne, you need to be careful with this Gabriel character," Justin said. 

"He's fine! He is a good guy," I defended. 

"Well, he comes off as nice, but he can't even answer any questions about his family or his hometown. He doesn't even like football. He is clearly hiding something. Plus he was freaking out about a flood that didn't affect us." 

"So what Justin! Maybe he likes his life private. Just because he doesn't like football doesn't mean anything! He probably wasn't raised with the same interests as you. How does that make him a bad person? It is possible that Washington flooded and that's why he's here, who knows his life may be as tragic as ours, but he just isn't ready to talk about it!" 

"Anne, I don't want you to get hurt. I don't know how to tell you this, but I think he is living two different lives. I Googled recent floods in Washington, there is no reported floods. Only wildfires in south Washington," Justin threw in my face. 

"Maybe it flooded where he lived before that." 

"But yet, you have no idea if he lived anywhere before that. My point exactly, Anne, you barely know him and I can see you getting close to him. He could be an abductor or something," 

"Justin, please butt out my business! We aren't even a couple. We are only friends! Who cares if I have a lot to learn about him, he doesn't know everything about me either!" I yelled and walked back inside. 

"Let's go, Gabriel. I need to rest before work," I said as soon as I walked inside.

"You have to work in this mess?" my mamaw asked with concern in her eyes. 

"Rain, sleet, nor snow stops black Friday," I sighed putting on my raincoat.

 Mamaw and paw hugged me goodbye and I rushed out the front door. I did not want to see Justin, nor did I want to tell him goodbye.

"I'm sorry about everything," I told Gabriel as soon as we were settled in the car and on our way back to my apartment. 

"It is fine Anne. You look really cute in that sweater by the way," Gabriel blushed.

 I looked down at my bright green sweater and smiled. "So, are you staying at my place?" Gabriel has never stayed in my place for more than a few minutes. 

"No, I have some things to take care of...for class," he said grabbing my hand and squeezing. 

"I'm so thankful for you Gabriel, I really am!" I gushed and squeezed back. My heart beat faster as the electric sensation went through my body, but I ignored it and held on to his hand as tight as I could.