Stormbound Hearts – By Andrea Johnston #2
My eyes scan the shelves, noting more signs of wear and tear and years of neglect. Each year I hope it will be different and maybe this time it will be. Until then, I’ll continue patching what I can and consider ways to involve the community to keep us afloat.
“You must have read that story at least a hundred times by now.”
Smiling, I look down to see what I’ve subconsciously grabbed from the shelf. “One of the best pieces of literature in this entire place.”
Mrs. Cooley grins and extends her hand. I pass over the book that changed my life and solidified my love of reading. “I was wondering what I should add to my reading list for the week and I think it may be time to revisit Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s been too many years.”
“Can’t say I blame you. The Outsiders is always an excellent choice. I reread it every summer.”
Her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. It’s not quite pity, but she knows the financial struggles my family faced when I was a kid and how I turned to fiction to get me through some of the most difficult days.
And baseball. It was my skill on the mound that got me out of Copper Bluff after graduation.
It’s also what made coming home so meaningful and allowed me the opportunity to give back to the town that did so much for us.
“Isaac, are you okay? You look exhausted.”
My response is a grunt that I try to cover with a cough. “It’s budget season so I’ve been working long hours.”
Mrs. Cooley nods in understanding. She should, she’s on the finance committee who will be rejecting my submission in a few days.
“I promise to use my influence to remind the rest of the committee the importance of the library. And for goodness sake, how outdated everything is here. How can we expect our youngsters to spend time here when it looks like a poor attempt at an 80’s movie set.”
Her comparison draws a chuckle from me, and I’m happy to hear I have an ally when it comes to this place.
“That’s very kind of you and perhaps the most accurate description of this place I’ve heard.
Now, can I help you find anything else? I’m actually surprised you aren’t next door at The Love Nook. ”
“To be fair, I was there but my order is delayed.”
I tease her about the library being her second choice as we continue to catch up.
“Well dear, I should be going. The skies looked mighty dark when I arrived and although it’s unlikely, if Rainy is right with the forecast, it’s going to get nasty quick. Please consider closing early.”
I doubt my former schoolmate will ever get the forecast right, but I keep that to myself as I escort Mrs. Cooley to the front desk. With Annbeth helping her, I retreat to my office for one final read through of the budget before hitting send. Not that it’s going to matter.
The next hour passes without much fanfare and very little foot traffic in the library.
Mrs. Cooley’s comments about the weather linger in the back of my mind, and I pull up the weather app on my phone.
The forecast hasn’t changed much and there isn’t a weather advisory, so I’d have to say our local weather girl has once again lived up to her reputation.
I toss the phone back on my desk when a knock on the door draws my attention.
“Hey Isaac. Do you mind if I take off a little early? With this storm I’m sure the after school pickup line is going to be a mess.”
“Is it that bad out there?” I ask and push up from my chair.
Annbeth smiles and shakes her head and motions for me to sit. “Bad? Not yet. But, you’ve met my daughters. If they’re stuck in the rain I’ll have to listen to how much I’ve ruined their lives. Again.”
For as sweet and even tempered as Annbeth is, her teenage daughters are dramatic and over the top.
She insists it’s a right of passage for teens, but I’m not convinced.
With my blessing, she gathers her things and heads for the doors.
Now that the budget submission is off my plate and I’m alone in the library, I grab my water bottle and relocate myself to the front desk.
The team keeps the place organized, but there’s always something to do. I pull out the cleaning supplies and begin dusting the top shelves when a roar of thunder cracks in the distance and the lights go out. Well, hell. Maybe Rainy was right after all.
BLYSS
Here’s the thing. I’m a happy person by nature.
I see things through what some may call rose-colored glasses.
Unless there’s a storm. A real storm. Not one of those quick pass-through cells that drops some showers and moves on its way all while I am safe in my home.
Anyone in my life knows that the storm life is not for me.
Which is funny because I live in Texas, and storms are kind of a thing here.
Growing up, I was like most children. I hid under blankets and counted the seconds between lightning flashes and the roll of thunder.
It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I truly feared storms. I’ve spent many sessions with my therapist to identify exactly which moment turned my anxiousness to overwhelming dread.
Unfortunately for me, there isn’t a single defining moment.
It’s akin to a phobia. No explanation, just what it is.
So, instead of focusing on the knot in my stomach each time the forecast calls for more than a drizzle, I like to remind myself that there will be a rainbow.
Birds will sing. And, Rainy Sprinkles is rarely right.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
I scoop Cherry into my arms, cradling her like a baby and scratching her belly.
Slowly, I walk out of the shop and into the lobby of the building.
Some of my best memories have come after stepping through the large glass doors that face the parking lot.
From the library entrance to the right and display of banned books on the left, this building is perfect, and I’m lucky enough to have my dream store only steps inside.
It doesn’t take but two strides into the lobby before I’m able to look through the large windows to find the sky has turned dark as night.
This must be the weather Mrs. Cooley mentioned.
I should’ve taken her suggestion and closed early.
It isn’t like John Michael can’t bring it to the house.
Still, I only have two days’ time to review the order, find any errors or damage, and submit a request for replacement.
“What do you say, girl? Should we close up early?”
Cherry purrs in my arms, her body twisting so her head is nestled in the crook of my neck.
Not much in the way of an answer, but I’ll take it.
I glance once more through the windows, a bright flash lights up the sky.
One … Two … Three. Thunder rumbles. The vibrations are intense like the storm has made its way inside.
And the room goes dark.
In a matter of seconds, my heart leaps to my throat, a freakishly loud scream fills the room—mine—and Cherry jumps from my arms. It’s fine. Everything is fine. I’m fine . There’s no danger.
Thunder continues to roar and rain pounds against the windows. The only light to be seen comes from the bolts across the sky. I can hear the blood rushing through my veins and feel the room sway as I fight for a full breath.
“Hey, hey. Blyss, you’re okay.”
His voice sounds a million miles away, but I can feel his touch on my hand and then my arm. My sweater makes it almost impossible for me to feel the heat from his skin but it’s comforting, nonetheless.
“Deep breath. You’re okay.”
I let Isaac talk me through a few deep breaths.
His tone is even, no judgment or pity to be heard.
My breaths steady and the pounding in my ears fades.
The room isn’t quite as dark thanks to the glow from his phone.
I take a step back forcing him to drop his hand as I face the front door.
Wind has joined the storm party and I’m grateful to be inside and not trying to make my way home in this weather. Cherry would have freaked … “Cherry!”
“She’s in the library. Are you okay?” The familiarity of his voice should calm me, but the internal vibrations continue.
Closing my eyes, I inhale for a three-count before exhaling.
“Blyss?”
One at a time, I peel my eyes open and look at the man before me.
Isaac has been as much a part of my life as these Texas storms. Growing up together he was always my antagonist in life.
Not because he was cruel or caused me harm, but because he is the opposite of everything I am.
I love bright colors and loud music. My heart sings along with the birds under the blue sky.
Looking on the bright side of things is where I prefer to live.
Isaac is my opposite in every way. He used to say my pure optimism was off-putting. I countered that his cynicism was offensive. See . . . opposite.
“What are you even doing here with a storm forecast?”
I snort and look out the large windows. A branch has fallen from a tree and leaves fly through the air, reminding me of where we stand. Isaac’s hand rests on my arm again, drawing my attention.
“Rainy has never been accurate. I figured there was time for me to receive an important order and tie up a few loose ends here.”
“Yeah well, she was right and now you’re freaked out …”
The rest of his comments go unheard as a roar rips through the building causing the windows to rattle and the sky to light up. I scream and Isaac wraps his arm around me before guiding me toward the library. It takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust.
Isaac is speaking but his words don’t register as he moves me around the counter and to his office.
It’s an internal space, muffling the intensity of the storm as he plops me onto one of the guest chairs.
A blanket is wrapped around my shoulders, the heaviness is like a hug.
I welcome the pressure and blink up at him as he continues to speak.
Words break through. Breathe. Okay. That’s it. Cherry. Shit. Back.
Soft fur and the vibrations of a purr on my chest calm me as I concentrate on my breathing. Time passes though I’m not sure if it’s minutes or an hour. By the time I’ve calmed down, the room is dimly lit and Cherry is sound asleep in my lap. Isaac is shuffling around in the corner of the room.