Pieces, page 6
My mind automatically flashes back to a time I had long forgotten.
"Daddy, I want to ride a horse!"
"No! What did I tell you? Little girls don't get to ride horses or do anything unless they obey their parents. You hear me?"
"Yes, daddy."
"Now wipe that look off your face and go clean up that barn over there."
I was eight years old, working as a slave to please my dad on that horse farm. If I didn't listen, I would get whipped with a branch from a nearby pricker bush resulting in welts across the back of my bare legs. Momma used to scream at him for doing so, but he never listened. He would grab a beer and sit on the front porch of our house.
Even into my teen years after my mother had finally gotten on her own two feet, I still tried my best to please him. I didn’t know why at the time. I remember when I told him I was pregnant before I had graduated.
"Daddy, there's something I gotta tell you."
I watched as he rocked in his chair. He lit up a cigarette on his new dilapidated front porch; since the courts awarded my mom practically everything— which pissed him off, and I was suddenly transported back in time to that scared eight-year-old little girl.
"Oh yeah? What's that?" he asked with a sneer, cigarette dangling from his lips.
I was nervous beyond comprehension, not knowing what he would do or say. I nervously played with my fingers and looked down at them. I couldn’t bring myself to make eye contact.
"I -um..."
"Well, spit it out! I ain't got all night."
"I'm pregnant." I suddenly wished I hadn't told him. I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. Noah had convinced me after I told him my feelings about it. Luckily he had driven me and was waiting in the car because the next thing I knew, I was being ripped out of the chair and shaken like a rag doll. His hands were gripping the sides of my shoulders while he screamed at me.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? You little idiot! Didn't I teach you anything!? You good for nothing slut!" he spat.
The words stung more than his grip on my shoulders, and I began to sob. Noah pulled him off of me in a flash and threw him down the porch in the opposite direction. He looked at me with a scared look on his face, his breathing labored, but I couldn't respond. I just kept crying. My father got up and threw a punch at Noah, but Noah ducked, making my dad stumble. Once he regained his balance, he swung at Noah again— grazing him near his bottom lip. Noah punched him back, and I suddenly screamed, finally finding my voice.
"Daddy, stop!" I had never seen such rage in my father's eyes. He had completely lost it this time. The neighbors must have heard the commotion because the cops quickly showed up, separating the two.
"Earth to Katie." I blink a few times and notice Noah's hand waving in front of my face.
"I'm sorry. What were you saying?" I asked in a daze.
"The horse farm. It's yours if you want it. If not, I can put it up for auction. But just know that half the money will go to you, which you have to pay taxes on and the other half to your father."
"Sell it." I didn't need to think about it. It was a part of my past that I had worked so hard to forget, and I’d be damned if I would let it resurface ever again.
"Well, that settles it then. I'll get the necessary paperwork together. I just need you to sign in a few spots, and I'll be on my way."
I did as I was told and, with a shaky hand, signed the dreaded papers.
"Thank you, Katie, for your cooperation. I'll be in contact with you over the horse farm proceedings. And remember, you need to decide what you want regarding your mother’s business." He stood up and shook both of our hands and walked out the swinging door.
Katie
" You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey ." I sing to Alex as I rock him to sleep. I look through the window at the grey skies that moved in quickly this morning. I watch as his eyes flutter close, and I wait a good five minutes before carrying him to his room and placing him on his new big boy bed.
Noah got it for him the day after he sat with the lawyer and me. Alex was so excited. It is shaped like a race car and is blue. I smile at the memory as I cover him gently and turn on the baby monitor. I sneak out, praying that the old wooden floors won’t creek and wake him back up. I enter the kitchen, placing the baby monitor on the counter, and turn the radio on. I start to do the dishes when I hear thunder from a distance. I've never been big on storms. Occasionally, we have tornados, and my mother would always take us to the basement and make it a fun time with board games and silly stories. Before we knew it, the storm would pass, and all would be well.
I finish up the dishes and dry my hands as a loud beep amplifies through the speakers. When the beeping stops, a man starts to speak. ‘This is the National Weather Service. A tornado warning has been issued for the following counties, Padma, Logan, Jefferson, and Lindsay. Please seek shelter immediately— wind gusts up to seventy miles per hour with hail is expected. I stand frozen to the spot for what seems like forever as I register the words in my head. All logic escapes me. Alex! M y subconscious screams, and just like that, my feet hurry up the stairs. I run into Alex's room and scoop him up with his blanket and teddy bear. I quickly try to calm my nerves, as Alex is now crying.
"Shh, it's ok, baby, everything will be fine," I say, rubbing his hair.
I run down the stairs as quickly as I can without falling and run into the kitchen. I swiftly grab my phone and then dart down the basement stairs, quickly closing the door behind me. I hear the warning siren start to sound in the distance, which makes my heart accelerate. I sit Alex on a chair and give him his teddy bear. I look at my phone only to see ten percent left on my battery.
" Shit !" I curse to myself. Of all times, I forget to charge my battery. I search around the basement, trying to find a flashlight. The tornado siren is still wailing in the background, making me shake. Ok, Katie, calm down. You have to stay calm for Alex. Everything will be ok ! I chant these words in my head as I walk back to Alex. I pick him up and sit him on my lap and cradle him.
"What's wrong, mommy? Why are we in the basement?" I see tears start to form in his gentle eyes again.
"It's just a terrible storm, and we have to stay safe because we don't know what's going to happen, ok?"
He nods his head and then places his head on my chest. I hope he can't feel my rapid heartbeat. We are seated in the back of the basement in a corner that was specifically designed for situations such as these. The lights start to flicker as I hear a low rumble. It feels as if there is an earthquake. With no windows around, I have no way of knowing if a tornado has touched down or not. The dust from above starts to trickle down as I feel the beads of sweat on my forehead.
Please, God, keep us safe. I pray as the rumbling keeps growing.
"Mommy! I'm scared!" Alex grabs my shirt, fisting it in his little hands. The lights suddenly go out, and Alex’s scream makes my skin crawl.
"It's ok, Alex. I’m here. Close your eyes. I won't let you go!" I squeeze him tighter.
"I want daddy," he screams.
"I know, baby. I know. Hang tight; he’s coming."
Loud banging is echoing all around the house. I hear the glass crash as the rumbling grows louder. I'm trying so hard not to scream, but the most deafening sound I've ever heard echos above us as if something has collapsed. I almost let go of Alex as he's crying in hysterics. Make it stop! Please make it stop! I beg with all my heart. Just like that, the rumbling stops, and I hear a small whistling sound before silence completely takes over.
I sit there for a moment, not daring to look around or let go of Alex for one second. After about five minutes, I open my eyes to blackness. Alex is still crying and clinging to me.
"Alex, it's over. It's ok. We made it!" His crying turns into hiccups and sniffles as I feel him lift his head from my chest. I realize I'm still holding onto the flashlight and quickly turn it on with my shaky hands. It illuminates the little space. I prop it up on a nearby table and get a good look at Alex. I let out a breath and hug him.
"I love you."
"I love you too, mommy."
"Ok, let's stand up for a minute." He stands up as I reach for my cell phone. When I look at it, the battery displays five percent. I also notice the 4G is no longer there. I try to dial Noah's number, but nothing happens. Great. I grab Alex's hand and walk back up the stairs.
I push on the door, but it doesn't budge. I try again as panic starts to fill my chest.
"Mommy, why can't you open the door?"
"I'm not sure, Alex. Something must be blocking the door. Let's go sit back down and wait for someone to come to help us."
God, I hope someone comes to find us...
Noah
I'm standing in the registrar's office at my school, picking more classes for next semester. I'm so close to finishing, yet it feels so far away.
"Good morning, Mr. Peters! How are you?"
"I'm hanging in there, Louise. How are you today?"
"Same. What can I help you with?"
"Just picking out the last bunch of classes I need for next semester," I say with an exaggerated sigh.
She smiles at me, starts typing on the computer, and hands me a form and a pen.
"Ok, it looks to me like you need five more classes, which will bring your credits up to fifty. After that, you will start your clinical’s."
"Sweet. Let me have ‘em." She smiles sweetly at me and starts listing off each one and hands me a list of supplies and books that I will get later.
Her radio plays softly in the background, but the music stops suddenly and is interrupted by a newscaster.
"Reports are coming in of an EF4 tornado that has passed through the town of Tumbleton just a few moments ago... "
My head whips up, and I immediately drop my pen. "Louise, turn that up, please," I beg with my heart racing. I can feel the blood pumping through my veins as fear grips me.
She runs to the radio as the newscaster continues.
"— a tornado hit at least a dozen homes and businesses, but we are still awaiting word on the extent of damage or if there are any fatalities." I immediately feel chills cover my arms and whip out my phone. I dial Katie's number, but it goes straight to voicemail. 'Hey, you've reached Katie I...' I hang up and try again, getting the same thing.
"I'm sorry, Louise, I have to go. That's my town!" I run out of there as fast as my feet will carry me, down three long corridors and out into the parking lot. I jump in my car and crank the ignition. I turn the radio back on as I speed out of the lot. I'm an hour away, and the thought of that makes my skin crawl. What if they are hurt? Or dead. Oh God, please don't let anything happen to them!
I try dialing Wendy's number, but it goes to voicemail as well. Shit! I punch the steering wheel forcefully. "All power and cell towers have been knocked down, leaving no communication... "Fuck!" I can't believe this is happening! "They say a tornado has not touched down in this area in over fifty years."
The man on the radio is pissing me off. Where are the news crews? Why haven't they gotten there yet? Thankfully I don't get pulled over on my drive back. Katie's house is on the edge of town, and as I'm nearing Tumbleton, the panic in my body is rising. My hands start to get clammy, and I can't stop the horrible thoughts racing through my head.
Debris is everywhere, making driving difficult as I attempt to dodge things in the street. I catch a glimpse of the once big white house that belongs to Katie, but it's barely standing. The upper half has folded inward, and all the windows appear broken. Large pieces of trees, limbs, and branches are now residing in the middle of Katie’s roof —as if to say — they could tumble inside at any given moment. I keep my eyes trained on her house, not daring to look away. I screech to a halt and jump out of my truck as fast as possible.
I stumble a bit as I run towards the house.
"Katie! Alex!" I scream, stopping right in front of the broken steps to the once beautiful porch I've grown accustomed to overtime. I take a deep breath and slowly walk up the stairs as I hear sirens in the background. Before I can move any further, pieces of debris come crashing through the top of the porch, causing me to jump back.
A car pulls up behind me, and Wendy jumps out along with my parents.
"Noah!" Wendy screams before reaching me and grabbing me in a fierce hug.
"I'm so glad you guys are ok!" I say through ragged breaths as panic takes over once again. "Where are Katie and Alex?" I inquire
"Oh God, I don't know, Noah, everything happened so fast! The warning on the radio, the sirens, then bam it touched down within seconds!"
"We need to go in there!" I shout.
"Noah! It's unsafe; you don't even know where they are," my mom yells with tears in her eyes. I know she’s scared as I notice the tears are now streaming down her cheeks.
"I don't care! My son is in there! Katie! Alex!" I scream again. I move forward, slowly opening the door, and I feel a slight comfort that my dad is now by my side. We both call as loud as we can and listen for any sound or reply. Suddenly, I hear a pounding coming from somewhere and a faint voice, but it's muffled.
"They’re alive!” I yell with joy not only in my voice but my heart and soul as well. Where are you?!" I scream as loudly as I can. All I hear in return is a persistent pounding.
"Keep pounding! We’re here. Let us know where you are!"
Creaking sounds echo throughout the house, and I hear the wind howling through the broken windows. Things are strewn everywhere. It breaks my heart to see such devastation. "Be careful, son; this house is about to collapse." I nod at him and calculate every step I take, pausing at each creaking sound. I follow the banging towards what looks to be the kitchen. I stop in the doorway as a huge tree limb is blocking the door.
"Help us! We’re stuck. Can anyone hear me?" It's Katie. Relief washes over me again like waves in the ocean.
"Katie. It's Noah! I'm going to get you out of here, don't worry!" I wonder if I’m trying to assure her or myself.
"Oh, thank God, Noah! Daddy's here, Alex! It's gonna be ok!" I hear Alex’s cry, causing my adrenaline to kick into overdrive. I begin throwing kitchen chairs and anything in my way away from the door and push the large table back a bit. I hear a groan as the ceiling starts to shift as dust sprays everywhere, landing on my head and all around.
"Noah!" My dad yells, “she's gonna go any minute now! Get out of there!" I hear him loud and clear, but I don’t care. Sorry, dad.
"I found them, dad. But the door is stuck, I need help!" I try with all my might to move the massive tree limb, but it doesn't budge. My dad appears through the doorway, assessing the situation.
"I can't move the tree!" He immediately tries to help me, but it barely moves an inch.
"Katie, there's a tree blocking the door. I need you to find something down there that will break open the door and hurry!" I intone with urgency. I don’t want to scare her, but our lives are in danger.
I hear her scurry down the stairs as I hold my breath. "Noah. I’ve got a hammer!" She yells back to me, and I savor the sound of her voice.
"Ok, good. Hit the door with all your strength!" I stand back as she bangs hard at the door. Little by little, a hole starts to form. The kitchen ceiling is again falling all around me, spraying more dust and debris.
"Good!” I say to her as I grab through the hole and give it a hard yank. My dad does the same. The gap becomes bigger as we physically rip the door apart. "Ok, that's good! Now, shove Alex through to me!" She does what I ask, and as soon as he's in my arms, I squeeze him tight.
"Daddy!" he cries with his little arms squeezing around my neck.
"It's ok, buddy; I got you!" I encourage him while breathing in his scent.
"Noah, hand him to me, you’ve got to get Katie out now !"
"Here, go with grandpa. I have to help your mommy get out." I hand Alex over to him and return my attention to Katie.
"Noah, I don't think I can fit!" she announces like a trooper. She’s scared, but she’s also strong.
"You can! Turn around and put your head through first. I’ll pull you out while you push with your feet!" More of the ceiling starts to buckle as the walls creak. I feel a deep rumble under my feet as sweat streams into my burning eyes.
"Hurry, Katie!" She does what I ask, and her feet finally touch the ground. We get out of there just in time as the kitchen ceiling ultimately caves, and as we rush off the front porch, the rest of the house crumbles.
Katie
"Oof!"
I land on my back as I'm pushed off of the front porch. All I hear is creaking and crumbling and then a big bang. A cloud of dust blows over us. Us , I think . As my eyes adjust to my surroundings, I notice Noah on top of me, and we are both panting. Once my brain kicks in, I push him off me. When I sit up, I see my house in complete ruin around me.
I push myself up and run towards it as the tears stream down my face. "My house!" I screech through my dry throat, feeling nauseous— all my memories are reduced to a pile of rubble. That's all I had left of my mom. No, no, no, no! Before I make it to the ruins, I feel strong arms engulf me from behind. I struggle for a few minutes before my energy dissipates. I slump down onto the ground, and the strong arms let me go. Everything feels so surreal.
"I'm so sorry, Katie." I begin to sob harder than I've ever before. Thunder sounds in the background, and before I know it, the rain trickles down my cheeks.
"Katie, come on, sweetie. We will take you back to our house." I hear Wendy gently say beside me. I barely register her words as I stare at the house. "Katie, it's starting to rain. We will sort everything out when it stops raining. Please come with us." Wendy sounds desperate now, but my body is numb as I start to shake. I can't move. I'm paralyzed, yet my body keeps jerking.
"Noah, what's wrong with her? Why isn't she moving?" Wendy asks in concern.
