Page 62 of Connected By Souls

Emma

Yes, we got the sandbags in place and moved the outdoor pots and plants inside. How are you doing?

Noah

Exhausted, but I’m good. We got a lot of the older homes boarded up, and I helped some of the older residents move all their outdoor furniture inside and anything else that could fly away. Back at it early tomorrow to help with the sandbags.

Emma

It’s nice to see how much the community comes together to help each other. I’m going to clear off my back deck tomorrow and bring everything inside. Luckily my windows are newer and should hold the strong winds. As long as it doesn’t get stronger, I should be ok here.

Noah

It’s much safer at my house. I don’t want you staying there.

Emma

I’ll keep watch on the hurricane. I’ll be fine and let you know if anything changes.

Like hell, she will. I’ll be putting her over my shoulder and carrying her here myself if I have to. I’m not taking any chances with her. I decide to play along with it for now, not wanting to get into an argument.

Noah

I’m keeping an eye on it as well. We’ll see what the report says closer to Sunday night.

Emma

Sounds good. Night, Noah.

I sigh, wishing we didn’t have this tension between us still.

Noah

Night, Emma.

The next day, I can tell something is on the horizon. The sky is overcast, and the winds have picked up a bit. We’re still expected to have a Cat 2 hit us early Monday morning. The news reported several paths the storm might take, so we still won’t know until closer to impact time. I spend the day getting the sandbags in areas that need it the most and help the neighbors with last-minute preparations before we all hunker down in our homes. Some in the area have chosen to leave while others stay put, as Zone A has now been ordered to evacuate. Hearing my phone ring, I glance down and see my mom’s smiling face on the screen.

“Hi, Mom. Everything okay over there?”

“Hi, sweetie. Yes, everything is good here. Dad and I have secured everything down, and Bella is coming over later until the storm passes. We’ll probably do a family game night to pass the time. I just wanted to check on you. I know you’ve been working hard the past couple of days, and I want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, too.” She sounds worried.

“I’m fine, Mom,” smiling because I know I’ll never be too old in her eyes to call me like this and check on me. “Rusty gave me dinner last night after we boarded up the place, and I got a little sleep last night. I’ll be able to crash later when we’re all in for the night.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to come over? There’s plenty of room. Emma is welcome too, of course.”

“Thanks, but I’m good. My house is safe, and I want to stay there to keep a watch on things.”

“Is Emma staying with you? I worry about her by herself.”

“She’s staying with me. She doesn’t know it yet, but I won’t take any chances with her getting hurt. She’s still a little mad at me for not telling her about my writing, but I’ll get her here tonight.”

“She’ll come around. I know you, and if you needed to wait to tell her, there’s a good reason. You know, I’ve always wondered if your books were more than just stories made up in your head. I remember you as a little boy always telling me about the little girl from your dreams with the green eyes, and all your books have the exact same eyes.” I hold my breath, wondering where she is going with this. “Eyes that I recognized the first day Emma walked into my yoga studio,” she says softly. “It made me wonder if the girl from your dreams could be real and what you were having were memories. That would be a pretty good reason to wait to tell someone. It’s a lot to unload on someone, especially if they’ve been through so much, and you didn’t want to scare them off.”

“How did you..?” I start to ask, so confused about how she knew.

“It’s just a mother's intuitive knowing. I pay attention, and you know how I love my metaphysical books. I’ve read a lot about past lives, and it’s a gut feeling I had. Plus, you turned down every relationship with a girl in the area, and I knew then that you must be waiting for the girl with green eyes. Judging by your reaction, you figured it out too, and I’m spot on.” I hear her laugh. “I’m just so happy you guys found each other again,” she says softly.

“Thanks, Mom.” Emotions clog my throat. “Me too.”

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