Part 14 in Thurmount Holiday (see the category  “Thurmount Holiday” for the other entries).

 

Dang old moody weather. Earlier today it was 60 degrees. Now it’s below freezing and they say a blizzard’s on its way and so is Will if his flight from Nashville was actually able to land. I asked him to send me a text before he started driving and I haven’t received one.

“I’ve got a surprise for you, Kay,” he said when he called from Nashville. The sound of his voice filled me with so much expectation that I have lived on it like adrenaline kicking through my veins for the past couple of hours.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Something I hope you’ll like.”

“That’s the best kind of surprise. The thing I want most is for you to get your butt back here,” I said.

“On my way.”

Snow falls lightly and the wind kicks up, sending the flurries spiraling around.

My family has gone next door for a cookie swap, which Mom tried to drag me to.

“You can do as much worrying next door as here with the added benefit of eating cookies,” Mom said.

I stole one before she could put it in the tin and giggled when she tried to glare at me. My mom has never been very good at giving us disciplining looks.

I flip the switch on the radio. The news comes on with a bulletin about a multi-car accident on U.S. 50 with casualties. My stomach drops. That’s the way Will would be coming home.

My mom would tell me there’s no use jumping to conclusions, but something, my intuition, something, is telling me that he’s part of that accident. For a moment I consider hopping into Megan’s car and driving, but realize that’s stupid. I’m not the best driver, put me in snow and I’m worse; put me in snow and upset, that’s disaster. I slump onto the couch and stare at my cell, hoping and praying that I would hear “Gangam Style,” the silly ringtone Will had chosen.

The only sound is the ticking of the clock on the mantel.

end 12/18/2016

S. Darlington