Thunder

3

Her husband scoffed at me. How could such a sweet old woman be married to such a grumpy old man? “Shut up Ricky.” She called over her shoulder and turned back to me with a smile. “You’re in Cannon Beach, Oregon sweetie. Where exactly are you headed to? Maybe we can give you directions on how to get there.” She smiled at me sweetly. I bit my lip staring into her soft green eyes, so bright and beautiful, even surrounded by wrinkles. “I…. I’m not quite sure. Just far away from where I was.” I looked back down at my bowl and started eating. We finished our meal in silence. As we finished, I grabbed both of our bowls and started washing them. “oh don’t worry about that dear, I’ll get them.” She came up to me and tried to get me to stop. “No ma’am. You cooked, the least I can do is wash the dishes. You’re already doing so much for me.” I gave her a smile and finished up our dishes. “Well you must be exhausted. If you need anything at all, please come get me. Thank you for helping with the dishes.” She smiled at me and put her hand on my shoulder. “Thank you. Goodnight Lucille, and goodnight Ricky.” I smiled at both of them and walked back to the guest room and got settled in bed.

               I straightened out my blue dress for the 5th time the past 5 minutes. He was over an hour late. He told me he would be home for dinner. I had prepared all his favorites; steak, buttery garlic asparagus, and cheddar scalloped potatoes with tiramisu for dessert. I poured me another glass of wine and downed it. f**k him. I watched as the wax roll down the candle. Another hour passed, and I stayed planted in my seat at the dining room table, lighting my cigarette. ‘Seriously?! Who does this? Him obviously’. I don’t know why I expected him to actually be here on time. I took the night off for this s**t. I put out my cigarette and started the dishes, letting the tears quietly roll down my face. As I finished and started drying my hands, I heard the lock turn and the door quietly open. “where the f**k have you been?!” I raised my voice more than I had meant to. He looked at me shocked and then rolled his eyes. “Babe, I’m sorry. I know we had plans, but the partners all went out for drinks. Can’t you forgive me?” He smiled at me with those stupid dimples. The anger I felt slowly melting away from me. He opened up his arms for me. “I guess. It’s just that you should have told them you already had plans. It’s our anniversary. I made all your favorites. But I’m just glad your alive and the storm didn’t cause you to wreck.” I gave a small smile and walked to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I took a nice relaxing deep breath in, and stiffened. Slowly I raised my head and looked at him. “Why do you smell like perfume?” I asked him as he looked down at me puzzled. Then I saw it. The hickey that was partially covered by the collar of his shirt. I used all my might and pushed him as far away from me as I could. “WHAT THE HELL?! ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?! YOU MISSED OUR ANNIVERSARY DINNER FOR SOME w***e?!” rage flowing through my body. “I am so over this s**t. I don’t deserve this. I have put up a lot from you, but this? This is the straw that breaks the camels back” I told him as started to our bedroom. I heard him throw a chair. My heart dropped and I started running. I heard his footsteps behind me. I finally got to our room and tried closing it with my body before he could reach it. He slammed into the door, flinging me across the room. I looked over at him as I tried scrambling to my feet.

               I shot up in bed trying to catch my breath. I was drenched in sweat and my hands were trembling. The rain was still pouring down, but it was a little lighter outside. I looked at the clock next the bed, 9:00. s**t. I should have already been on the road by now. I got up an changed into my jeans and boots, putting back on my jacket and scarf. I folded and put the rest of my things in my bag and sealed it up. I walked into the main house to see Lucille curled up on the couch reading a book. She smiled at me and set her book down. “good morning Riley. There are waffles in the oven and fresh coffee in the pot.” I shook my head, “No thank you ma’am. I really should get going.” I told her as I stood there awkwardly looking at her. “Nonsense. First off, you’re not leaving without food in your stomach. Second off, it’s still pouring outside and unsafe for you to drive. It’s not like you’re in a car. Riding your motorcycle in this weather is just plain stupid.” She told me as she got up from the couch and made her way to the kitchen. She pulled out the waffles and put one on a plate with some bacon and placed it on the island. I sighed and sat down putting butter and syrup on my waffle and started eating. She leaned over the island and watched me. Her usual smile, no where to be found. “Where do you think you’re going to go Riley? Honestly.” I kept quiet and just stared at my plate hoping she would drop the subject. My heart constricted in my chest. I don’t know. I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m going to do. But she doesn’t need to know that. She has helped me enough. Unfortunately she continued on and didn’t drop it like I had hoped. “Listen, from your accent I would say you’re from the South. You’re far away from there now. We’re in a little town near the Canadian border. You don’t need to run anymore. You’re safe.”

               But was I ever really going to be safe?