A Brewing Storm

Meanwhile back at the pool hall...

Not quite knowing what to do next, Mike turned toward the booth where Shelby and Jimmy were still sitting. Grabbing his jacket, which hung over the back of booth cushion, Mike spoke, "I hope you guys don't mind if I call it a night."

"No Mike, it's cool," Shelby replied.

"Yeah, we'll see you tomorrow?" Jimmy asked as he reached into his wallet for a few bills to pay for the check and the waitress's tip.

"Yeah, tomorrow." Then, remembering his manners, Mike asked, "Oh, Shelby do need me to take you home?"

"No, Jimmy will take me home," Shelby responded, turning to Jimmy, for conformation.

Jimmy nodded, as he grabbed his jacket and slid out of the booth. Shelby followed.

"Well then, see you both tomorrow." Mike turned and silently walked out into the rainy night.

Shelby and Jimmy followed, but after noticing that the rain was pouring down, they quickly ran to Jimmy's car and slid in.

"Boy, the rain sure picked up," Shelby remarked, as she pulled her soaked hair out of her face.

"Yeah, it sure is coming down," Jimmy mused.

"Almost blinding," Shelby commented worriedly. "Maybe we should wait a little longer for it to slow down some," she continued.

"Nah, it's not that bad. Besides, I have to get you home before your 11 o'clock curfew." Jimmy replied, as she started the car's engine and backed the car out of the parking lot.

Meanwhile at the Camden's home...

As Eric walked through the kitchen door, soaking wet, Annie turned from the tea that was boiling on the stove, "Hi honey, a long day today?"

Laying his rain coat across the dryer, Eric replied, "Yeah, sorry I'm so late, but I a young girl stop by just as I was packing to leave. I couldn't leave, when I saw that she needed help."

"It's ok. Do you want some hot tea?" Annie asked as she poured a cup for herself."

"Yes, that sound great," Eric replied. Sitting down, wearily in a kitchen chair, he asked, "Where are the kids?"

As Annie sat down and handed Eric his cup of tea, she answered, "Well, Simon and Robbie had dates, a movie, I think. Ruthie's at a friend's house. Lucy just called and apologized for not having Ruthie home yet. This rain is slowing her down. So, she said that she was going to wait a little while, until the rain slowed down some..."

"Smart girl," Eric interrupted. "Ok, what about Matt and the twins?"

"Matt is at the hospital, a late shift tonight, and twins are asleep."

"Is it just me or do our kids always seem to be gone? I miss the family being together," said Eric, wistfully.

Placing her hand on Eric's hand, Annie commented, "Yes, I know the kids seem to be gone alot, but they're growing up. They know that we are here if they need us." As she rose from the table, she yawned and said, "I'm going to check on the boys and then head on to bed. You coming?"

"No, I think I'll sit here and finish my tea. I'll be up soon."

"You mean you're going to wait until the kids get home," Annie smiled and playfully tweaked Eric's nose. As she rinsed her coffee mug, she continued, "We need to learn to trust our kids. They're good kids. They'll be all right." Yawning once more, Annie turned, "Goodnight sweetheart."

"Goodnight, and you're probably right that I need to learn to trust the kids more," Eric replied with a tired and uneasy smile. "I'll try." Annie turned and walked upstairs to check on the twins.

Eric fingered his mug, staring into space. Speaking to no one in particular, "Hopefully we've trained them well enough to make the right choices."

Back on the road with Jimmy and Shelby...

"...two, just want to be with you..." a country station played as Jimmy drove through the blinding rain.

"Jimmy, I really think we should get off the road," said Shelby anxiously. "If we call my mom, she won't be upset, at least not tonight."

Turning his head toward Shelby and placing his hand on her leg, he replied," Ok, Pete's Pizza is up the road. We can wait there."

"Watch out!" Shelby screamed.

Jerking his head, Jimmy saw the blinding lights of a semi-truck headed straight in his direction. Swerving the steering wheel around, Jimmy screamed, "Hang on!"

The truck careened into Jimmy's car with such force that Jimmy was flown through the windshield and into the street. "Jimmy!" Shelby screamed, just before the car crashed into a telephone pole. Then everything went black.

About the same time of night in the Camden's home...

Feeling unsettled and restless, Eric quickly drank his tea. He rose to rinse his mug, when he felt a dull ache in his heart. Startled, Eric clasped his chest, wondering if he was having another heart attack, but every so slowly, he felt peace and the dull ache fade. Almost as if there was an audible voice, he heard, "Have faith, my son. For I am with you always."

Eric walked towards the living room, as he whispered, "Lord, what's going on? Why do I feel so tired, and worn? And why feel like I'm about to be tested?"

Hearing no sound, except the tick-tock of the Grandfather clock in the living room, Eric turned on the radio, softly scanning through the stations. Until a soothing music, caught his attention. As he sat on the couch, the music and lyrics spoke to his heart, giving him peace.

"...He knows every the star sky

Every single tear that you cry

His love is here faithful and alive

I know that this world can be cold

In his arms you're never alone

That's his promise to you and I..."

Slowly, the music drifted around him, and the peace settled in his heart, Eric fell asleep.

Some time later...

"Dad?" Lucy whispered as she shook Eric's shoulder.

Shaking his head and rubbing his eyes, Eric noticed he was still lying on the couch. "Hi Luce, looks like I dozed off," Eric said, yawning.

"Well, I heard the radio was on. I was going to turn it off, but I noticed you were in here." Noticing how worn and tired her father looked, she asked, "You ok. Dad?"

"I'm fine. Just a little tired," Eric replied.

"O.K., well, I'm sorry that Ruthie and I were so late. If it helps any, Ruthie fell asleep in the back seat of the van, while I waited for the rain to slow down."

"It's fine, honey. What time is it?" Eric asked as he turned to read the Grandfather clock.

"Midnight," Lucy replied. "Well, I'm going to bed." Lucy leaned over and kissed her father on the cheek.

"Goodnight Luce," Eric sleepily replied. As Eric rose and watched Lucy climb up the stairs, he once again felt the dull ache in his heart. Sighing, Eric mumbled, "You're tired, Eric. Everything will be fine in the morning." Turning off the radio, he silently prayed, "Lord, give me strength."