Part 18 (1/2)
”Now what?” Jackson demanded.
I flipped on a flashlight.
”What happened?” Jackson asked.
”The power went out.”
”I know that!” he snapped.
”Probably means the tornado is bearing down and ripping up the wires,” I said.
”Close to us?” he asked in a worried voice.
”Brace yourself. We're probably going to die.”
”I don't hear anything.”
”You never do when it's right on top of you.”
”Is it that close? Jesus! You better get in the tub!”
”Oh, relax. I'm kidding,” I said. ”Power line probably fell down somewhere. Who knows? The power will be back on in a second. You're a big old sissy, aren't you?”
”We don't have tornadoes where I come from.”
”You'll get used to them.”
”I don't think so.”
Noah signed, He's really scared! He's really scared!
I smiled.
”By the way, maybe you could do some babysitting for me once in a while,” I suggested. ”If I'm going to put out, I want something in return.”
”Something in return,” Jackson repeated.
”Something of value,” I said. ”It's only fair.”
”I didn't hear you complaining.”
”My mouth was full,” I said.
Jackson laughed.
Noah looked up at him, smiled.
Jackson kissed his hair, patted him on the head.
”Don't pat him on the head,” I said. ”He's not a pony!”
”I'm sorry,” Jackson said, chastened.
”I'm kidding. Can't you tell when I'm kidding?”
”You are so going to pay,” he said.
”I certainly hope so,” I replied sweetly.
”How long does this d.a.m.ned tornado thing go on?”
”Don't curse in front of the children, dear.”
Distant thunder sounded in the background.
”You heard about Smithville?” I asked.
”No,” he said.
”A few years ago a tornado went through here, took just about all of Smithville with it. Killed about thirty people. That's about forty-five minutes down the road, a little too close to home. Took out one hundred and forty-nine of their one hundred-fifty houses and businesses.”
By the light of the flashlight, we listened to the NOAA Weather Radio announcer explaining that a tornado had touched down in the Plantersville area, just to our east. Quarter-size hail was reported. A tornado warning was in effect for Lee County and the surrounding counties. Tornado was moving in an easterly direction.
The lights suddenly came back on.
I sat on the edge of the tub, looking at Jackson.
”G.o.d, I want to kiss you,” I whispered.
”Is there something stopping you?”
I leaned over and kissed him briefly and somewhat chastely on the lips. Then I kissed Noah on the cheek.
Noah giggled, wiping his cheek as if I'd given him cooties.
”His birthday is coming up soon,” I said. ”How do you feel about kids' birthday parties?”
”Love them,” he said with a grin.
”And meeting the family....?”
”Bring it on!”
”You're a brave man. A bunch of rednecks in a truck might show up.”
”Really?”
”Shotguns and everything.”