Page 11 of The Mayor's Surrender

“He does?” I twist my head and stare at my boss. If I haven’t spoken to my father in over a year, how does he know about him?

“Yes.”

“How do you know that?” I asked.

“My lawyer informed me of his whereabouts.” He lays it out as if it’s no big deal, but I’m completely shocked that he’s aware of things like that. I have so many questions, but I only ask one.

“Why would he do that?”

“Just because he felt like telling me.” Again, he gives me a politician’s answer. I want to grab him by the lapels and ask him what he thinks about my father and me or why he pushes personal conversations away. Yet, he knows my father’s whereabouts, but I don’t.

“We’re here.” He enters the access code, and the gate opens up. Everyone has been sent away for safety. It was just Brooks and I who were left behind to handle other matters. He even sent his one personal security guard to go home because the man had a pregnant wife to look after. Although Brooks doesn’t really need a security guard since he’s pretty tough.

“Oh.”

The rain pelts down as Brooks rushes us inside his home. The second door closes, a loud boom tears through the sky. “We’re going to have a rough night.”

“Are we sure we got all the town’s people out?”

“I believe most of them got out or have taken shelter at the community center, which is sturdy. The supplies will be brought in by morning if needed. It’s the best we can ask for. Are you worried?”

“Yes. It would be the first time in my life that we’ve ever had a full-blown storm like this.”

“Well, the best we can do now is relax and let the storm blow over, okay?”

“I suppose you’re used to crazy weather like this.”

He shrugs. “It was part of my career. Would you like a glass of wine to calm your nerves?”

“Yes. That would be fantastic.” I nod, and he takes my hand, leading me into his kitchen. He’s moving forward, and I’m able to mask the electricity that shoots through my fingers. I don’t pull it out of his grip, so we hold hands until he pulls out a chair for me.

“Sit down.” Brooks quickly moves around the room and gets our glasses.

“You look like you need this.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“It’s been a long, crazy day.”

Chapter Five

Brooks

We sit in the kitchen, drinking wine and discussing tomorrow’s plans. “We’re going to have a big day as soon as the sun is up.” I’ve kept my eyes on all the different tracking systems and my phone has been blowing up with messages from the agencies who are keeping me informed. It’s no wonder politicians age much quicker than others. I never felt so damn stressed. So many lives are at stake, and all I can do is pray that everyone listens to our requests to vacate and take shelter in the specialized areas that would be safe.

“We’ll head over and assess the damage if we can get through the roads, but what if it’s flooded?” It’s a big concern, but fortunately, I have a contingency plan in place after going over it with the FEMA command center.

“There are lots of boats tied up away from the shore that we can bring into town. Also, there is one here to use if necessary.”

“I can’t believe you put this together within two days.”

“The town did. We only have two thousand residents, and most of our people have their own preparedness kits.” I am fortunate to be the mayor of a small hamlet.

“You’re right.”

“Wow, I believe that might be a first.”

“That you’re right or that I’m admitting it?”

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