Without warning

It seemed to come from nowhere. But, any good weather witch knows nowhere is spelled with a capital "N" and reckons itself, asking no permissions, and making no apologizes. The lights did flicker, I'll give you that. It might have been a warning.

The wind bent the trees lower than Calypso had seen in the twenty years she lived here. Sudden. Harsh. Long-lasting. The first limb to fall must have struck the lines that connected the lane with the power station just outside town. Like candles snuffed. The lights were gone, and the sound of low pressure meeting high filled the world.

"Flashlights! In the cabinet behind you."Calypso adjusted quickly to the darkness. Peg put the cat down and felt for the edge of the counter.

"There should be two of them." She was already into the freezer, to make sure the extra batteries were there.

Peg O'Neil felt for the flashlights, found them and switched them on.

"Good!" Calypso and May said in tandem. And then they both realized at exactly the same time, "Are the boys back? Daniel and Pat.

"No, they haven't been gone but a couple minutes. Five at the most." It was too soon to panic, and Peg O'Neil was not one to lose her composure. Pointing one of the lights in the direction of her daughter and Larkin, the mother saw the girls' eyes bright as beacons. They seemed lit was inside. That was spooky. She handed Larkin the larger of the lights.

"Are we staying the night then?" Kaitlin's voice an octave higher with excitement asked so anyone could answer. The wind was loud and only getting louder. Larkin held the light up to her face, "Of course!"

It was nights like this, and they did come every fall and winter, Calypso wished she had made peace with Fire. A stout cast iron stove and well seasoned Doug Fir would burn a warm fire. Some things don't come easy. That was one of those amends that remained unchecked. Her list was shorter, but still ...

The propane tank was filled just the other day. It would keep the house warm. The click of the radiators confirmed their efficacy. Candles were part of the un-kept resolution with fire. Calypso did not keep them in the house, and though May never traveled without them, she knew the flames even small as they were would not be lit in her sister's house.

The storm was no where nearing it's peak, you could feel it pitching yet. "I'm got lanterns and spare batteries for them in the garage. But, it's too dangerous to go outside. Soup's hot and the pie should be warm enough, too. Anyone hungry?"

Find out.