Chapter 37. - Storm Preparations -
Before dinner: Lightning and Sally went for a quiet drive along the beach. With the waves crashing angrily on the shore, it wasn't too quiet of a drive.
"What do you think we should do?" Lightning asked "Do we stay and ride out the storm, or do we leave?"
"What are the meteorologists recommending?" Sally asked "If they are recommending evacuations, then we should leave."
"I don't know." Lightning said "I haven't had the TV on since this morning."
They stopped by the front desk on their way to dinner.
"What have you heard about the storm?" Lightning asked "We're trying to make up our minds on what to do."
"The storm is going to definitely hit here sometime tomorrow afternoon." The desk clerk said "But the storm has been downgraded and the experts think it won't do much damage. Our own meteorologists are going to be here all night, monitoring the storm. There is a meeting tomorrow morning to let all the guests know what the plans are."
"What about evacuations?" Sally asked "When's the meeting?"
"I don't know when the meeting is. The management is discussing it now. You'll be notified." The clerk said "There are no mandatory evacuations expected. If you want to leave, I suggest doing it tonight. You might not get out if you wait until tomorrow."
"Thanks." Lightning said. "We'll let you know after dinner what we are going to do."
"I think we need to discuss this in private." Sally said "We can order something and have room service bring it to us."
Lightning and Sally headed back to the bungalow. Lightning turned on the TV. Just by flipping the channels he found an English speaking one. Of course the top story was the tropical storm. They sat on the couch and watched it.
"… I'm urging everyone to seek shelter." A local official said "There's a chance the storm could strengthen as it comes a shore. At the bottom of the screen is a list of official storm shelters. We now turn to…"
Lightning muted the TV. "What do you think?" he asked "Do we stay or do we leave?"
"I think we should stay." Sally said "The only ones freaking out are us tourists. The locals don't seem to be worried, they seem more annoyed by it."
"And the officials say as long as we're in a sturdy building, we'll be ok." Lightning said "The estate is committed to keeping us safe."
Sally nodded and called the main desk. The manager was happy and promised to keep them informed. While Sally was calling the main desk, Lightning called his father.
"Hello Light!" Riley said "I've been watching the storm with a friend of mine. He's a hurricane expert."
"What does your friend say about the storm?" Lightning asked "The meteorologists here say it's not going to be bad."
"He agrees with what the other experts are saying." Riley said "But I'm not taking any chances. I have a helicopter standing by if you want to leave."
"We'll think about it." Lightning said "Do you want me to call you sometime tomorrow morning and let you know what Sally and I are going to do?"
"Yes, I think that's a good idea." Riley said "I'm off, so I'll be at the house."
"Sally and I are tired." Lightning said "We're going to eat dinner and then head to bed."
"All right." Riley said "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"What did he say?" Sally asked as Lightning hung the phone up
"Dad said, he has a helicopter standing by if we want to leave." He said "I agreed to call him tomorrow morning. Are you ready for bed?"
"Yeah." Sally said "It looks like we're going to have a long day tomorrow."
Lightning and Sally went to the bedroom and tried to have sex, but they were too worried about the storm. After trying for a few minutes, they just snuggled together and soon were asleep.
Next morning: Sally and Lightning woke up to a very ominous morning. The wind was blowing hard. The sea was rough and angry. They headed to the main room. Yesterday, Lightning found an English-speaking news and weather channel. When he went to pick up the remote for the TV, to turn it on, he saw a piece of paper stuck under the door. He picked it up and read it.
"Sally, there's a note for us saying that there is a meeting in a ball room at nine thirty for all the guests." Lightning said "I'm assuming it's about the storm."
"That's only an hour from now." Sally said "Do you want breakfast now, or do you want to wait?"
"Later." Lightning said "I'm too worried to eat right now."
"Me too." Sally said "I need some coffee though."
A little before nine thirty: Lightning and Sally headed to the ball room where the meeting was. The staff handed out refreshments to the guests as they arrived. The tension in the air was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. Sally and Lightning mingled with the other guests until it was time for the meeting to start.
At nine thirty: Manuel and the estate's operation manager arrived at the conference room.
"Ladies and Gentlemen please… If I can have your attention, we'll get this meeting started. As you all know tropical Storm Lightning will come ashore around 6 this afternoon. I know some of you don't live around an ocean. So I have some general information for you. A tropical storm is a storm with maximum sustained winds of at least 34 knots (63 kph). Tropical storms are given official names once they reach these wind speeds. Beyond 64 knots (119 kph) a tropical storm is called a hurricane. Both tropical storms and hurricanes have a defined rotation and severe thunderstorms around a central low-pressure zone. Here the Northern Hemisphere, tropical storms rotate counterclockwise. In the Southern Hemisphere, they rotate clockwise." The operation manager said "The storm seems to be weakening as it gets closer to land, but it's picking up speed. It's traveling at fifteen miles an hour but it expected to be close to twenty by the time it reaches land. Those guests that have ocean view suites or free standing bungalows, you'll be moved to an unoccupied room during the storm, please stay after the meeting so we can assign one to you. For those guests that have suites in the estate, except the penthouse suite, you will not be moved. We will have two ball rooms set up for your comfort. We will have refreshments, card and bord games along with movies to watch. The dinning room will be closed this evening. We'll be delivering dinner to your rooms, or to the ballroom if you wish. If you want to go out and get something for this evening, I suggest you do it as soon as possible. We ask that all guests be back no later than three pm. The ground crews are already putting up storm shutters. All beach front furniture, hammocks, and anything else are being taken in. All pools, saunas and jacuzzies are being shut down. In case we lose power as we are expecting, the estate has two genitors that will restore power in about a minute. We have enough food and water for a week. The local authorities are shutting down the roads as soon as the storm gets close. However, the airport has already been closed and there are no flights in or out of Cancun until tomorrow afternoon. Our two doctors and the medical team are standing by to help anyone that might need medical attention. Once the storm has arrived the external doors will braced. All curtains and blinds will be closed and please keep them closed. Stay put if things seem quiet, it may be only the eye of the storm, winds will pick up again. After the storm has passed, avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges. Watch out for fallen objects, downed electrical lines, weakened walls, bridges, and roads. Security will be tight for a while, so your safety is assured. The staff will drive carefully around and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, or any other hazards. Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until it is confirmed that it is not contaminated. If you have any questions or concerns, please see a staff member."
After the meeting:
"Mr. and Mrs. McQueen." Manuel said "I have assigned you to room ten for the evening. You can leave most to your belongings in the bungalow. Do you have any questions?"
"No, not right now." Sally said "Can we call home and let them know that we're all right?"
"Yes, but I would do it before the storm hits." Manuel said "I don't know if you'll be able to get a call out afterwards. The phone towers might be damaged."
"Ok." Sally said "We'll do that."
Manuel left them at this point to answer some questions from other guests. Sally called Flo at Radiator Springs.
"Flo's V8 Café!" Flo said over the phone "Flo speaking, what can I make for you?"
"Flo, it's Sally." Sally said "How are you?"
"Sally, it's wonderful to hear from you!" Flo said "Are you enjoying yourself? Why in the world are you calling me?"
"I wanted you to know there's a tropical storm heading this way." Sally said "I just wanted to let you know Lightning and I are going to stay. The estate says they can keep us safe."
"The storm is the talk of the town." Flo said "We talked about calling you, but Doc said to wait and know for sure if the storm was going to hit."
"It's going to hit us around five." Sally said "I'll call after the storm and let you know we're ok."
"Ok Sally." Flo said "I'll let everyone know. You and Lightning stay safe, you hear me!" "Yes, Mama Flo." Sally said "I hear you loud and clear."
Sally then called her parents.
"Hello, Sweetheart!" Lilly said answering her phone "I'm glad to hear from you, but why are you calling me on your honeymoon?"
Sally told Lilly everything about the storm.
"Mom, can I ask you a question?" Sally asked, changing the subject "You always seem to know what's wrong with me, even before I do. You know that I've been feeling sick on and off for a while. I get these weird fluttering sensations in my stomach and then the next thing I know I'm vomiting my guts out. I thought it was just stress getting to me, but the wedding and the racing season is over. Lightning and I have done nothing stressful all week, and I'm still getting sick."
"You say you get fluttering sensations in your stomach?" Lilly asked "Is it worse in the mornings?"
"Yes, most of the time." Sally said "It happens a lot after I have eaten too. I'm seeing Doc a few days after we get back home, but I get the feeling that you know what's wrong with me."
"Call it mother's intuition." Lilly said "But I think you might be pregnant."
"Mom, I have birth control implants. There's no way I'm pregnant." Sally said "Besides, Light and I only been having sex on a regular basis since we been here."
"Well, that's what it sounds like to me." Lilly said "You need to call your dad and let him know about the storm so he won't worry. He should be in his office."
"Ok Mom." Sally said "I love you."
"I love you too." Lilly said "If it's possible, call me after the storm."
"I will Mom." Sally said "Bye."
Sally called her father's office.
"Carrera, Lawson, and Dean." The operator said "How can I direct your call?"
"This is Sally Carr…McQueen." Sally said "Can I talk to Lance Carrera please?"
"He's in his office." The operator said "One moment, please."
A few moments later.
"Hello, my darling Sally!" Lance said happily "I bet you are having a ton of fun, but why are you calling me?"
"We were, up until this morning." Sally said "I take it you haven't heard about the tropical storm that will hit this afternoon."
"No, I haven't. I've been in court all week." Lance said "But I do remember Lilly saying something about a storm a few days ago. Are you and Lightning leaving?"
"No, the storm is not going to be severe." Sally said "We're going to stay here. Riley has a helicopter on standby if we change our minds, or the storm takes a turn for the worse. I just hope we don't have the problem leaving as we had getting here."
"What are you talking about?" Lance asked "What happened? *deep authoritative voice… AKA dad voice.* Selena Caroline … tell me what happened."
Sally hesitated, she knew when he used that tone, and her middle name, Lance meant business. Sally told him what had happened to her with customs.
"Why didn't you call me?! I could have helped. You let me know if they try that when you leave." Lance said "I have friends down there and they will help you if need it."
"Thanks Daddy." Sally said "I need to go; I have to get things ready for tonight."
"Have you called your mom and let her know?" Lance asked "If you haven't, I strongly suggest you do."
"Yes, I called her first." Sally said "If the phone lines are still working after the storm passes, I'll call and let you know that we're ok."
"Ok, Sweetheart." Lance said "I love you."
COMMENTS:
Guest 2 - I love Lightning's kinky side. Really makes Sally bubble and rev. More excitement for their honeymoon with the exploring of history and ancient parts.- I wanted them to do more exiting stuff, but with a broken axle, it makes it impossible.
A nasty storm coming here. Never looked in to it much but Mexico must be known for them.- Yep, tropical location = tropical storms.
Sally's learning some of Doc's own tricks to get Lightning out of lazy mode. Very intimidating. I'll bet you and your husband have tricks to get each other's attention.- Yep sure do!
Riley's very stern about Lightning and Sally's safety here.- You know how parent are, they exactate everything when something is threating their kids.
Brody's wedding sounds like a right waste of time the way he goes. Brody's not marriage material either by his nature. I hope Brody goes down badly. I hope Merida castrates his nuts.- I don't know about that, but she teaches him not to mess with her boyfriend... yes, you will meet Merida's boyfriend, in the next chapter, so stay tooned.
I've never pictures Lightning in green but in a certain form would make him look dashing.- I know, that's why I chose it.
Belly rub, tickle under the chin and cuddle for Stella by the way. Hugs for you too- Thanks, Stella loved it... it gave her a Zoomie attack! And I'm sending a hug back at you!
I do not own Cars or any of its characters. PIXAR AND DISNEY CLAIM THAT RIGHT. READING ENJOYMENT ONLY
Please read and review! I need criticism and encouragements! Rated M for language and sex.
