Fighting You

The Storm

     Natalie stood by the window in her office. Outside the clouds had gathered and the steady darkening of the skies was a warning of the brewing storm. It might start raining anytime now. The rains in Stone Isles could be normal sometimes and sometimes too nasty. "I'd better start closing  the windows" Natalie said to herself.

     Natalie then made the customary rounds around the inn, locking all the windows and doors. Jason had called in earlier informing her that  he wouldn't be making it back  home tonight.

      "Ma wants me to stay in tonight" he had told her. Natalie was a bit surprised. "Are you sure?"she had asked. Jason's relationship with his parents had turned sour ever since he had told them about him being gay. In all these years that he had come to stay at Stone Isles, not once did he stay  at his folk's place. Infact he never spent more than an hour with them. Sensing Natalie's confusion over the phone he had replied, "I'll explain when I'm back okay. Don't worry Nats.". They had disconnected after saying good night.

     Aunt Ruth was in the living room watching the news. "They say there's a storm coming up hon" she informed Natalie.

     "I guess so Aunt Ruth. Besides its pretty late. Let's get you to bed. You need to take your medicines too."

     When she saw Ruth starting to protest Natalie immediately added,"Just two more days I promise and then you don't have to take any more of them." . Her aunt grinned like a small child.

     "Well now that's some good news," Ruth replied back,"Okay then let's go get some sleep."

     They left the living room together. Natalie had noticed her aunt was getting better already and she was very grateful for that. Her aunt was her only living relation and she loved Ruth like her own mother.

     After Ruth took her meds, Natalie said good night to her aunt. She went downstairs to the living room to switch off all the lights. 

     Usually by this time the inn would be all quiet and Natalie would finally enjoy some calm and peace at the end of the day. But she didn't see that happening tonight. The looming storm was causing a lot of noise and turbulence outside. "Oh... I just hope there is no serious damage in the morning!" 

     Natalie was about to go upstairs to her bed when suddenly the conversation from a few hours ago popped into her head.

"You and I should become partners!"

     Natalie had never heard something so absurd. How would two people who couldn't even stand being in the room together become partners?! It was totally preposterous!!