Roxanne has taken a couple of trays of cookies out of the oven already. Frank is sitting on one of the bar stools behind her, watching her every move. “Don’t forget that he can’t have chocolate,” I warn.
They both turn to give me haughty looks. “Please,” Roxanne sneers. Frank doesn’t bother to respond at all. He merely blinks imperiously and turns back to Roxanne.
“Well, jeeze. I was just reminding you.”
Muttering to myself, I grab my cell phone and plug it into the charger. That reminds me. “Anyone who hasn’t charged their phone should do so now. The power company will shut down if they look to get hit hard.”
Looking up from her own phone, Roxanne nods. “NOAA is now saying that it looks to hit us directly as a Cat three. Do you think we need to do anything else at my house?”
“I think we’re set at your place, Rox, unless you want to bring over anything from the fridge or freezer to put in the coolers after the fridge starts getting warm.”
“No, I cleaned out everything already. Last big storm, we lost power for a month and I had a freezer full of leftovers.”
“I remember. I ate like royalty for about a week.”
Someone knocks on the door and Roxanne goes to answer it. Expecting Sam, I blink several times before realizing it’s Esmé.
“Come in,” Roxanne says. “Do you want a cookie?”
“No, thank you. I brought some honey, tea, and water.” She holds up her bags, looking awkward.
My mouth opens at least three times, but I can’t formulate any words. Roxanne relieves Esmé of her bags, and offers her a seat. Still looking at me, Esmé slides onto the stool not occupied by Frank. He ignores her as he’s still staring in the direction of the cookies.
“I left a message earlier, but you didn’t call back,” Esmé says.
That’s true. She called earlier and I ignored the call. Then I decided I didn’t want to listen to the voice mail. I guess I’m an asshole, but I was busy all day. Shrugging, I turn away toward the kitchen windows so I can check the seals.
“Dana?”
“What do you want me to say? You’re here. It’s already raining and you have a shitty car. It looks like you’re here for the duration.”
“Wow, Dana,” Susannah says, walking into the room. “Bitchy much?”
“Speaking of which, where is Olivia?”
Susannah walks past me to take a cookie from the tray. “She parked her car at the resort. Sam is going to bring her up after work. Hopefully they’ll get here soon.” She pauses to hug Esmé. “I’m glad you’re here. This is a safe space.”
“From the storm, at least,” Roxanne mutters.
I can’t tell if she’s irritated at Esmé’s presence or at my rude behavior. I’m guessing it’s the latter. Stomping off into the other room, I check and recheck all of the windows and doors. I debate about going outside to check the hurricane shutters again, but I decide against it. I know I fastened them all securely. When I come back to the kitchen, Thomas is coming back through the front door, soaking wet. I hand him a towel from a pile on the table as he hands Esmé her car keys.
“I moved her car over by Roxanne’s and Susannah’s.”
“Good thinking. I really think we’re as set as we’re going to get.”
Walking past Esmé, I stop for a second. “I’m happy you’re safe.”
“I didn’t know where else to go,” she says.
“It’s fine.”
She looks up at me, smiling. “Maybe we can talk later,” she says, touching my arm.
“Probably not,” I reply.
Roxanne is putting the last of the cookie sheets in the oven. The wind is picking up a bit and the rain is coming down a lot harder. I can hear it rattling against the storm shutters. Walking up behind Roxanne, I put my arms around her waist and rest my chin on her shoulder. She leans back against me for a second. “The cookies will be done in twelve minutes,” she says.
“I saw you give a piece to Frank.”
“He loves peanut butter,” she says, smiling.
“I apologized to Esmé for being an asshole,” I whisper in her ear.
“Good,” she says. “Because you really were one.”
Turning from Roxanne, I notice Esmé staring at us, but I don’t stop to answer any questions. The door slams open and Olivia walks in carrying a pet carrier. Oh great. I forgot she has that little freakish dog. Frank has moved into a sitting position and is eying the carrier with interest. Thomas runs over to close the door behind Olivia, but before he can get it closed, the whole floor in front of the door is soaked. Susannah grabs another towel and throws it on the ground. Before she can wipe up the water, the door is open again, and Sam comes in, slamming the door shut behind her. “Damn,” she says, wiping water out of her eyes. “It’s wet out there!”