I had dressed before the picnic yesterday if you wanted to know that. I changed out of my nightgown and into the deep red dress. I quietly got ready for the day. My body was sore and achy so I moved slowly. May had the flu according to Susan who came and told me that so she was in bed all day being watched by Patricia an older girl who's 13.
I sighed and went to the store. I didn't really have the strength to hitch Reese's so I just walked the mile and a half walk. Upon reaching the store I bought some meat thinking that maybe I hadn't had enough meat lately. Sam noticed something was up and asked "You alright Ann?" "Yeah just tired." "Maybe you should go back home. Take the day off." "No I need to get back to baking. I have 2 loaves in the oven right now." I paid the $5 for the meat and started my journey home.
I got there and took the loaves out. "Maybe Sam was right. I should just take it easy. It's warm out; I bet it's just from the heat." I took a long sip of cold water and headed outside to grab some berries. My head felt like it was on fire and soon was on the ground gasping for dear life. "Ann-Marie!" I heard someone yell. It sounded like Sam. I heard a bunch of footsteps coming at me and then Sam picking me up. "Ann, what happened?" "I felt dizzy. And I couldn't breathe. It still hurts so badly." I felt tears prick my eyes. "Don't worry your gonna be alright. It's the warm weather. You shouldn't be wearing this heavy gown." "I just need water. I'll be fine." He set me in the coolness of my dark house and then the sky darkened. "Sam what's going on outside?" I heard thunder and softly screamed. "Let's get down to the cellar. Where's your lamp?" The house had darkened but the lightning in the sky made red, hot angry scars across the clouds. The wind hollowed then everything got really still. In the distance I saw a large angry funnel touch the ground. "Basement now!" Yelled Sam over the winds. We ran for the basement and hid while the wind hollowed over us.
We were in that basement for what felt like hours but in reality was only maybe 10 minutes when Susan came by yelling: "All clear!" Sam and I walked out of the basement afraid of what we would see. All the buildings were alright but some trees were down. "What happened up here?" asked Sam. "Tornado, F3 hit 15 miles north of here." Said Susan. "Oh. Is everyone alright?" "Yes, they got to their cellars on time. No one had seen Sam, who's supposed to be at his job, since earlier so I was checking up on him." "Well I was helping me friend who was feeling ill if you don't mind." I smiled and hugged Sam, "Thanks for keeping care of me lately, I don't wanna seem like a helpless pigeon though." He laughed slightly at the helpless pigeon part but said "No problem and you're not a helpless pigeon." I giggled. His breath sent shivers down my spine. "Instead of being all lovey dovey you two should be helping with the clean up." Snapped Susan. "Sorry." We said in unison. We separated blushing. I hadn't noticed it earlier but me and Sam's lips were only a few inches apart. We didn't speak for the whole way to the barn, just walked in silence, till I spoke up, "Maybe you should go grab your wagon. We're gonna
need it for cleanup crew. I'm gonna go check up on May too." He nodded not saying a peep and took off for his cabin.
I rode over to May's house and heard giggling. "May?" "Ann!" Yelled May. She ran to me and hugged me tightly. Her fever was gone and she was much better. "Hey girly, how you feeling?" "Better! I got some medicine and my fever went away so now I'm all better!" "That's good." "May! Get back here!" Yelled Patricia the older girl who was taking care of May. "I gotta go Ann-Marie but I'll see you later." I nodded as she headed back inside the house. I drove around looking for fallen trees and stuff, found none, it started to flurry so I headed home.
Yes you read correctly. It was snowing, in May. It happens here sometimes because we're close to Canada and therefore closer to Alaska. The flurry got thicker but I kept riding home. I reached the small farm thing and put Reese's into the barn. I went inside the house and changed into the grey dress that was much warmer. "What is with the weather lately?" I asked myself. I quietly made some stew and ate that with some bread. The snow stopped right around 4 in the afternoon and I realized that if I was gonna make a new dress, with that fabric I had gotten, I would need needles and thread. I got onto Reese's bareback and took off for the store. I went inside and saw Sam. "Hey Ann can we um talk in the back for a moment?" "Sure." We went to the storage area of the store and he shut the door. "Ann about earlier I'm really sorry. It's just I got caught up in the moment and your really pretty and nice, kind…" I cut him off with kissing him. "I like you Ann. I like you a lot." "Me too Sam. I like you a lot too." "What is everyone else gonna think?" "I don't know. Should we even tell them?" "Yeah, if you wanna that is." "I think we should wait a while to see what's gonna happen between us. But quick question Sam. How long have you liked me?" "Since I grabbed you during that hailstorm. You were so weak and fragile looking. Not like you usually do." I blushed and smiled at him. "I think I forgot to say thanks for saving me." He nodded. I heard the bell over the door in the store ring and we rushed outside.
I was looking for sewing needles but didn't find any. "Hey Sam, where are all the sewing needles?" "We don't carry them separately; you have to have a machine first. The machines only $20 though." He led me to a beautiful looking sewing machine. "I'll take it!" "How about I bring it to your house after work because well it's heavy." I smiled. "Thanks Sam." I kissed his cheek and then walked out after paying.
That afternoon Sam came by with the machine. "Thanks again." "It also came with around 25 different colored spools of thread." "Cool." "No problem. I gotta get back to my cabin. I'll see you later." He left. I sighed and set the sewing machine up. There was still maybe 3 or 4 hours of sun left so I measured the fabric out and got the bodice done. I ate some stale bread smothered in jam with milk for dinner, tended to the chicken, put the cow in, put Reese's in from grazing, gave water and food to the animal then changed in my nightgown. I brushed my hair and then went to bed.