Evacuation Order

Left Behind

My dream is vivid but that is because it isn't a dream, it's my memory of the order given to evacuate.

The last item taken into the basement safe was my bike, the day before the order James had come over with some of his items and asked if there was space could he store them with our stuff, his parents had gone out and got a trailer to add space in their car, with a white thing on the roof as well and since James had finished training he was now on active duty and would stay behind to help fight the fire's, his parents not exactly happy but understood his need to help save lives.

We packed that safe full of their items too, they decided to take off early before a order was given, that way James could focus on work knowing there were on their way to safety, not sure how much they packed and we're they are going as James didn't say, but it was nice to have him stay over.

In the morning he got the notice, wind shifted evacuation order in effect, mandatory. His orders go door to door and make sure everyone knows about the order.

My Dad packs any remaining items that were in the garage to be packed and does a walk around to double check that safes are locked and no important items are out, mom is in the bathroom making sure to empty her bladder before the long car ride, I walk through again with dad, a extra pair of eyes doesn't hurt, it all looks good, maybe it will stay that way and our community will be lucky and untouched, if not I just added to my memories of the last look around.

A part of me wants to wait so I can say goodbye to James, it's completely not fair, we just started actually dating.

More accurately last night we discovered our true feelings for each other, our confessions that we couldn't see our lives without each other in them, we talked about dating. However we did kiss for a while, silly I guess not really sharing that information with my parents.

The fire rages around our community and it's time to go. James has made it back to see me off.

I place my hand against the window as we are leaving, my best friend is staying behind to do his job and fight the fire.

I do my best to hold back the years, I feel are coming, we are trying so hard to be brave for each other, the fear I fell that this could be our last time seeing each other.

We both say "I love you" for the first time together, as my father starts the van, my heart is fluttering and sinking at the same time.

"Be safe my love" I whispered through the van window and as we drove away all I could do was pray.

Pray that he would be safe and I can return to his arms and lips once more, and remember everything we have been through.

I find myself now awake, the tears that flowed awoke me, seems mom feel asleep to, I look forward at the GPS, seems we are now half way to my aunt's house, traffic calmed down after the on ramp to the highway as other evacuations orders had been given and the on ramp is only one lane, but once you got on that highway it was flying.

I grabbed my phone and texted James, on highway half way to aunt's house, love you, please stay safe.

I ended up falling back to sleep, I guess worry can wear you out. This time I find my dreams more pleasant as I feel our first kiss, from that simple sweet lip to lip, of the kiss of top and bottom, getting used to it, then that open mouth tongues exploring each other.

We stayed present in that kiss a while, holding each other, we cuddled till we fell asleep, it was nice.

We had dated others in highschool, turned to each other when those ended. Ice cream and movies or video games and chips, as long as it was the two of us just hanging out together, felt like no one else would get it, don't know if that makes sense.

Feels like we slowed down again, my eyes open briefly it's a gas station with restaurant and motel, even though we had a full tank it needs gas now.

"It's a safe zone, we can rest after we fill the tank and maybe if the restaurant isn't to busy we can eat a meal, go bathroom" I smile " get out and stretch a bit".

I felt sore, still felt tired and sluggish. The line of cars moved surprisingly quickly, looked like many were using tap to pay and back on their way to the highway, gas tank filled no to our tummies, we all felt a small sense of relief, no we felt hunger pains and not stress pits in our stomachs.

To our delight it wasn't busy, we day down and looked at the menus. The waiter comes over " Would you like to order some drinks while you look over the menu's, we have free refills right now as our way of helping every one fleeing the fire's" that is a small blessing "coffee please" dad and I say in unison " a green tea for me please" mom asks, "I will be right back with your drinks" he is pleasant and professional, he brings over a tray with milk, sugar and cream even has honey, he places the items on the table he heads back to get the pot of coffee that just finished brewing and pours it in the mugs dad and I placed towards him, he smiles.

He comes back with a teapot and cup for mom, we all smile back and say thank you, " are you ready to order or would you like more time?" we look at each other "some more time please" wow we in sync right now, he leaves and I sip my coffee, I am hungry but feel so tired I don't know if I can eat much, I noticed grill cheese and tomato soup on the menu, comfort food sounds perfect right now.

When the waiter returns I order the grill cheese and tomato soup with crackers, mom orders a garden salad and dad ordered a burger and fries, " any drink refills needed in the meantime?" " not yet but thank you" I answered, I know dad has barely touched his and Mom is a slow tea drinker, I am at about half but didn't want to wreck my ratio of milk and sugar.

When the food comes it looks delicious our waiter is gracious and says to wave him down if we need anything, we say thank you and each one of us in our heads says a grace before eating.

It was just what we needed, as scared as I was that I wouldn't finish I was still hungry may be some stress eating, I asked to take another look at the menu for dessert, the waiter brought back three menus dad asked for pecan pie with ice cream, mom went with a yogurt parfait and I noticed pumpkin pie so I asked for it with whip cream and a refill on my coffee.

The waiter came back with our desserts and offered toppings, he had a caramel sauce, dad and I said yes, mom said no thank you, we all got drink refills.

With our tummies full and drinks finished Dad paid and I took a moment to go the the bathroom, so did mom.

Dad asked about who books the room's and the waiter mentioned the office is at the other end in the corner, Dad said thank you and we walked over to the office together.

Only a few rooms were left, many tired stressed out drivers needing a rest, we got a room and as mom and I went to the room, dad walked back to the van to drive it closer to the motel part.