She was on a cell call with Barbara. A night storm had blown in.
“I really need that number,” Barbara said.
“I have it in the office,” she said. She started for the office from the living room. “And how’s James?” she asked.
“Good, good. The cast should come off in a few days. He’s such a baby.”
She paused in the kitchen to pour a quick glass of wine. “I think the number’s on the desk.”
“Sorry I lost it. But it’s important,” Barbara said.
Just as she got to the living room, the lights went out. She heard the house power down. She heard clicks, a chirp from some appliance going off. She felt the quiet of blackness, it’s drift through the neighborhood. A great burst of lightning lit the windows followed immediately by a thunder clap.
“Jesus,” she said.
“What happened?” Barbara asked.
“Just lost power. I need a flash light.”
“Are you okay?”
“Of course,” she said. “I have a flash light in the kitchen. It’s really dark.” Her eyes adjusted slowly to the blackness. The wind blew against the walls. She could hear rain shatter on the roof. In the kitchen, she felt for the lower cabinet with the flash lights.
“I’ll get a flash light and then get the number for you.”
“Thanks,” Barbara said. “I’m sorry I lost the number. Hope you’re okay alone.”
“It’s the not the first time,” she said. “Where is that flash light? Maybe I left it in the den.”
“Sorry,” Barbara said. “Why don’t you just call me back. I can wait a few more minutes.”
The rain calmed on the roof. She hated losing power and in such a storm as this. Now that she was alone, waiting for the power to come back on was different.
“Let me try the den,” she said.
She turned to leave the kitchen. In the doorway to the hall, the frame gray in the blackness, she saw a shape standing that might have been a man.
“Are you okay?” Barbara asked. “You can just call me back. Are you okay?”
