5 - HURRICANE

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GOLDEN
HURRICANE

"GOOD evening from the weather centre, where we continue to track the progress of hurricane Chris, gaining momentum as it heads up the coast, prompting warnings for several coastal areas and even school cancellations

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"GOOD evening from the weather centre, where we continue to track the progress of hurricane Chris, gaining momentum as it heads up the coast, prompting warnings for several coastal areas and even school cancellations. Local officials have gone ahead and canceled classes for tomorrow in Yarmouth, North Falmouth, and Capeside…” Kim had been situated on her bed, painting her toenails a deep purple colour as she watched the weather report. After hearing the information needed she picked up the remote to switch channels. “Stay with us. Gale?” The Leery girl’s attention spun to her mother. The cameraman switched from Hal, the weatherman to her mother, who was next to her family’s homewrecker. 

She felt a lump form in her throat. She never would've imagined her family falling apart like this, never imagined Gale having an affair. Maybe a part of her was happy living in Dawson's picture perfect fantasy. But now they were no different than any other tragic family in America.

¤¤¤

At the news of the hurricane, every household and business bordered up their windows and supplied themselves with enough canned food in the event of an apocalypse. Let's just say Capeside was a paranoid community.

Kim locked herself in her room as the rest of her family prepped for the storm. She was in no condition to be in the same room as either of her parents.

She sat on her bed with a tape of Pretty In Pink playing which she wasn't really paying attention to. Someone knocked on her door. Unable to remove herself from her bed, she shouted for them to come in.

Dawson opened the door, holding two bags of chips and a can of diet coke. Kim sat up as he handed them to her. "You're going to have to face them at some point. They're getting worried."

Kim took the food from his hands. "I really don't think that's a good idea. I'm afraid if I look either of them in the eye, I'm gonna spill everything."


"I honestly don't think that would be the worst thing. He needs to know." 

Kim knew he was right but this wasn’t exactly the kind of conversation you bring up over dinner. She wanted to at least give her mother the chance to confess on her terms. However, it was becoming impossible for Kim to occupy the same vicinity let alone ask her to tell her father the truth. "It should at least come from mom." 

"Fine." Dawson agreed with a big sigh. "Dad invited the whole neighbourhood over. Jen and Mrs Ryan and the Potter's." 

"Well that should be interesting." Kim had initially meant the whole Dawson Leery love triangle. She couldn’t imagine that Joey was having a splendid time with Jen’s company. However, Dawson was completely oblivious to her comment.

          

"What do you mean?" 

She quickly retracted her statement, not wanting to cause anymore drama tonight. "You know...the whole baby thing. Mrs Ryan can't be happy." 

"I guess not." Dawson agreed quietly, understanding his sister’s point. Mrs Ryan was a devoted Christian and therefore saw Bessie Potter’s illegitimate child with her boyfriend as a sin. Mrs Ryan was never too fond of Kim either. She too was an illegitimate child of a 16 year old girl. Ironically, Mrs Ryan was the most informative about Kim’s mother. She never said much or gave out any names but would over a few facts here and there. "I gotta go. Next time you need something to eat, get it yourself." 

Kim watched her brother walk away and downstairs and then sighed, flopping onto her bed. She opened one of the bags of chips he had given her and began munching as she continued to watch Pretty In Pink. Just as Andie walked into prom, dressed in her classic pink dress, the phone rang. Kim reached over to her bedside table where she picked up the phone. "Hello?" 

"Leery, O'Leery." His voice sang. 

Kim chuckled as she pushed herself up into a higher position. "Pacey." 

"I was just checking in. Storm's getting pretty bad." The wind bashed against her windows. She could even hear the wind through the phone in which Pacey was experiencing. 

"No kidding" She agreed. This was the worst hurricane she had seen at Capeside. "Can't be good for you. I can't imagine spending the entire day with John Witter is all rainbows and unicorns." 

"If you set the unicorns on fire it might compare." He commented. Kim smiled at his comment when she heard a voice. It sounded female. 

"Who's that?" 

On the other line, Pacey began to panic. He currently stood in a room with his brother Doug and Ms Tamara Jacobs, using her phone. Kim would have her hands around his neck if she found out. "Just my mom." 

Kim was about to believe him when she heard Doug’s voice shout loudly for the woman. It almost sounded like he said the name Tamara. "Did I just hear Tamara?" 

"Nope. Definitely not. That's impossible." Pacey denied. 

"Pacey." Her voice was stern.  

He sighed in defeat. “Okay, yes, but I promise you it is completely innocent. Deputy Doug wanted me to help out.” 

Kim too sighed. It seemed like hurricane Chris was the least of her problems today. “You know what, I don't even have the strength for your drama.” She hoped with Deputy Doug there, nothing too worrisome could happen.

“How is Mama Leery?” 

Kim winced slightly. The wound was still fresh and he wasn’t at all delicate with his phrasing. “I wouldn't know. I have been avoiding them both.”

“Stress eating?” He asked. 

Kim stealthy removed a chip from her mouth. “No.”

“Third bag of chips?”  

Kim gave in and allowed him to hear the crunch. He laughed on the other line as she continued to munch. “You know this whole thing is very creepy.”

“You're too predictable, Leery.” He declared with an amused tone laced in his voice. 

“And you're an idiot.” She countered.  

“Looks like we've both got our faults.” She didn’t see it but there was a huge smile on his face. Such a big one that even Tamara felt an inkling of envy. “I should go.”

GOLDEN, pacey witterWhere stories live. Discover now