Page 26 of Sins of the Flesh
"She'll be okay," Caleb says softly, reading my mind."Your mom's smart.She knows what to do in a storm."I nod, not trusting my voice.He's right, but it doesn't stop the worry.Dad died so suddenly, a normal day turned tragic in seconds.That kind of loss teaches you how quickly everything can change.
Caleb deals the Uno cards with practiced hands, arranging my cards in my hands, another loud crash sounds from above and I startle.“I hate torando’s they scare the shit out of me.”I whine looking towards the ceiling.
"I get that," Caleb says, his voice gentle as he lays down a red seven."When I was a kid, we had a tornado take the roof off our neighbor's house.I was terrified for years after that."
I play a red four, grateful for the distraction."Your turn."Another crash sounds above us, and I wince.I study my cards, trying to focus on the game instead of imagining my mom's house being torn apart."Draw two," I say, laying down a blue card.
Caleb grimaces playfully as he draws.The lantern light flickers across his face, softening his features.For a moment, I can almost pretend the last few months haven't happened, that we're just two friends waiting out a storm.As if things are normal between us.
"You know," Caleb says, his voice so low I have to lean in to hear him over the storm."I've really missed this.Missed…talking to you."The admission catches me off guard.I look up from my cards, studying his face.His eyes are fixed on the table, a slight flush creeping up his neck.
"Then why?"I ask the question that's been burning inside me for months finally escaping."Why shut me out?"Caleb sets his cards down, running a hand through his hair.
"It's complicated, Cole."
"I've got time," I say, gesturing around the cellar."Not like we're going anywhere."He laughs, but it's hollow.
"Fair point."He pauses, seeming to gather his thoughts."Let’s just say I have a lot of soul searching I'm working on.”I study his face, trying to read what he's not saying.
"Soul searching?That's why you've been avoiding me for months?Putting signs on your door and leaving notes instead of talking to me?"
He winces, and I feel a pang of guilt for my harsh tone.But I'm also tired of the evasion, of feeling like I've done something wrong when I've spent months trying to figure out what.
"I know it sounds...inadequate," he says, eyes meeting mine briefly before dropping back to his cards."But it's true.I've been struggling with some personal issues, and I thought distance would help me sort through them."
"And did it?Help?"I lay down another card, watching his reaction.He sighs, shoulders sagging.
"No.Not really."A sad smile touches his lips.The wind howls loudly above us, reminding me that nature doesn't care about our personal drama.I'm about to press him further when my phone suddenly lights up with an incoming call.
"Mom!"I nearly shout, fumbling to answer it."Thank God.Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, honey," her voice comes through, shaky but strong."I'm at the neighbor’s house.We're in his basement.How about you?Where are you?"Relief floods through me like a physical wave.
"I'm okay.I'm with Father Nichols in his storm cellar."I glance at Caleb, who's watching me with visible relief on his face."We're safe."
"Oh, that's good," she says, and I can hear the tension leaving her voice."Stay put until the all-clear, you hear me?These storms can be tricky."
"I will, Mom," I promise, relieved to hear her voice."I'll call you when we get the all-clear."We say our goodbyes, and I hang up, the tension draining from my body as I slump back in my chair.
"She's okay?"Caleb asks, though he clearly heard my side of the conversation.
"Yeah.She's at our neighbor’s house.They're in the basement."I run my hands over my face, suddenly exhausted from the adrenaline crash.
"Thank God."
"See?Told you she'd be smart about it."His smile is warm, genuine.
"Yeah, you did."I look around the cellar, suddenly aware of how intimate this space feels.Just the two of us, lantern light casting long shadows, the storm raging above creating a pocket universe where it's just us.
“So I’m guessing we have to sleep here.Do you have an extra cot or something?”Caleb glances at the single mattress on the floor and runs a hand over the back of his neck.
"I, uh, don't have a cot.Just that mattress."He gestures toward it awkwardly."You can take it.I'll use the chairs."
"Don't be ridiculous," I say, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in my chest."That mattress is big enough for both of us.I promise to stay on my side."When I see his hesitation, I add, "Unless you're uncomfortable with…"
"No," he interrupts quickly."No, that's fine.I just...didn't want to assume."An awkward silence falls between us, punctuated by the howling wind and occasional crashes from above.
I check the time on my phone, just past midnight.The radio crackles with a weather update.The tornado warning remains in effect for another three hours at least.The storm has caused significant damage in parts of Baylee, but no casualties reported yet.Small mercies.
