Charity Noelle

Sunday, Sept 10, 2017, somewhere in the Upper Keys… “What are you doing?” I screamed into the wind. I swatted at a tree branch that crashed into my leg, sending the wood structure flying down the drive. I pushed back the wet hair plastered to my face out of my eyes. “Leaving!” Bobby shouted back, while holding back the opened truck door to keep it from smashing his hand. “What?!” I screeched, rushing to stand in front of him by the side of his truck. The old Ford pickup’s lights were on, illuminating us, the shadows, and spaces in-between. The sun had not yet risen; too early in the morning, but still, there was no chance of it showing its face today. “I love you Charity Noelle. I just need to do this. Please understand.” “But, I don’t understand!” I cried, tears mixing with rain and creating a river of its own, streaming down my face. “You can’t leave me now. Not with this!” I waved my arms around frantically at the darkened skies, howling winds, and drenching rain. “A hurricane’s coming! Can’t we talk about this later?” “I’m sorry, Charity—you’ll be fine. You’re a strong woman.” He leaned into me, grabbed my shoulders, and kissed me hard on the lips. Then he turned and climbed into his truck, with the wind slamming the door hard, just missing his fingers. Bobby started the engine. It choked. He tried again. The third time, the old Ford’s engine kicked in, and with one wave, Bobby backed out of the drive and sped out of sight. “I can’t believe this… he left me,” I whispered to no one.