Storm brewing

8:00 and I can’t get my butt out of bed.  The alarm’s been going off every 5 minutes since 7:30. My hand is slap happy, and if I don’t hit the right button this time, the alarm clock’s getting ripped out of the wall.

Stretching, I decide there’s no time like the present.  The weather’s crappy, and my mood is too.  Even the cats think twice before saying good morning.  “Wow, I must be giving off some rabid vibes.”

Outside the wind howls and chairs are tossed banging against the privacy fence.  There’s a loud boom about half a block away.  “Damn. The transformer blew.” The fans come to an abrupt halt; the lit clock face flickers and fades.  “Crap, crap, crap.” I say.  

“Josiah,” I scream hoping he hears me three rooms over. “Transformer blew. Turn off all the fans and computers before we get another surge and have some real problems.”

Josiah answers my scream with a “Yes, mam.” And then out of nowhere, he appears poking his head around the doorjamb.  Smiling he says, “So what’s for breakfast Mah?”

I cock my head, as if to say, “You’ve got to be kidding me? Don’t you think of anything else besides food, boy?” In my mind’s eye, Russell’s comment jumps front and center, “Hun, he’s 15 with an eating disorder. He’s always hungry.”

Knowing what Josiah’s answer will be, I put my hand up in a “stop--never mind” response and say, “Give me a minute. We’ll go to Frankie’s for breakfast.”

“Thanks Mom. I’ll start feeding the inside cats so we can get going. It looks pretty crappy out there.”

Remembering the amount of work I need to do on the computer today, I growl in frustration.  “Great, all my notes are bookmarked for JP’s article and the computers are down. Wouldn’t you know it! Hopefully, Frankie’s Wi-Fi is working.”

But, thirty minutes later with nothing but Word at my fingertips, I’m no longer in a bad mood.  Sitting back, I enjoy a bagel with cream cheese, a double-shot iced latte, and quality time with my son as he begins his school work and I my writing.

Josiah looks up from his math and asks,” You okay?”

“Yep, I’m fine sweetheart, just enjoying the moment.”