The flickering flames of the fire cast a warm glow around the group as Brian tried to shake off the remnants of his earlier conversation with his mother. He had returned to his friends, but the nagging worry in the pit of his stomach remained. Just as he settled into the warmth of camaraderie, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen and saw his mom's name lighting up once more.
"Hey, Mom," he answered, hoping for a calmer tone this time. Instead, he was met with a shaky breath on the other end, followed by muffled sobs.
"Brian, I need you to come get me, please," she cried, her voice heavy with distress.
His heart dropped, a wave of anxiety crashing over him. "Momma, what's wrong?" He felt the tension in his chest tighten as he paced away from the group, seeking a quieter spot.
"It's the levees," she gasped, the words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "They're running tests, and I can't handle it. I just can't! Every time it rains, it feels like it's going to happen again. I can't breathe, Brian! I'm so scared!"
Brian's throat tightened as her fear washed over him, memories of past storms flooding back. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm for her sake. "Oh, Momma," he murmured softly. "I'll drop anything for you. Why don't you take a drive? Just get in the car, turn on some music, and see if that helps. If you still feel this way, I'll come get you."
"I can't drive! What if the levees break? What if I'm not safe?" she sobbed, her fear palpable even through the phone.
"Mom, listen to me," Brian said firmly but gently. "You know you're safe in your home. You have your emergency kit, and you've prepared for this. Just take a drive around the neighborhood. Maybe a change of scenery will help. Call me when you're back home, okay? Let me know how you're doing."
There was a moment of silence, and he could hear her ragged breathing on the other end, the silence filled with anxiety. "Okay," she finally whispered, sounding a little calmer but still shaky.
"Promise me you'll try?" he pressed, the worry still gnawing at him.
"I promise," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Good. And remember, no matter what happens, I'm here for you," he reassured her. "Just keep me updated, alright? You're stronger than you think."
After they hung up, Brian's heart still raced. The warmth of the fire felt distant now, and the shadows of his friends gathered around it felt heavier. He turned back to the group, who had been watching him intently.
"What's wrong?" Mia asked, her brow furrowing with concern.
Brian took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "It's my mom again. She's really upset. They're running tests on the levees back home, and it's triggering all her old fears."
The tension in the group thickened. Dom stepped closer, his expression serious. "What do you mean? Is she okay?"
"She's scared," Brian said, his voice low. "I told her to take a drive, just to clear her mind. I want her to feel safe." He glanced at the ground, the weight of helplessness pressing down on him. "But I can't be there with her."
"Is there anything we can do?" Letty asked, her voice soft and supportive.
"I wish," he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "But she's been through so much already. I just hate that I can't be there to help her when she needs it."
Vince stepped forward, his expression sympathetic. "We can't change the weather or the levees, but we can be here for you, Brian. You're not alone in this. You have us."
Brian nodded, grateful for their support. "I know. It's just hard seeing her like this. I feel like I should be doing more."
"Why don't we keep the fire going?" Jesse suggested, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe we can distract you a bit. We could roast some marshmallows or tell some stories. Just hang out."
Mia nodded eagerly, her eyes brightening. "Yeah! Let's make some s'mores. It might help you feel better, and it will definitely keep your mind off things."
Brian couldn't help but smile at their efforts to cheer him up, but his heart still ached for his mother. "Okay, let's do that," he agreed, appreciating their willingness to help.
As they gathered around the fire, the scent of melting chocolate and toasted marshmallows filled the air. Brian watched as Mia and Letty took charge of making s'mores, laughing and chatting with one another. Jesse busied himself gathering more firewood, while Dom and Vince discussed the surf conditions from earlier that day.
The fire crackled, casting playful shadows against the darkening sky. Brian forced himself to focus on the present, attempting to join in on the lighthearted banter, but his mind kept drifting back to New Orleans. The worry for his mother nagged at him, a constant reminder of the storms that loomed over their lives.
A few minutes later, after managing to stuff a s'more into his mouth, Brian pulled out his phone again, checking for any updates from his mom. There was nothing. A flicker of unease flared in his chest.
"Everything okay?" Dom asked, noticing the shift in Brian's demeanor.
"Just checking in," he replied, trying to sound casual. "She promised she'd call back after driving around, but…"
"Brian," Mia said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "if it gets too much, just say the word. We'll figure something out."
"Yeah," Vince chimed in. "If you need to head back, we'll support you."
Brian took a deep breath, appreciating their concern. "Thanks, guys. It means a lot. But I just want to give her a little time. I know she's scared, but I hope driving will help."
As they resumed their conversation, a sudden downpour began, the pitter-patter of raindrops against the ground quickly growing louder. Brian's heart sank. "Perfect timing," he muttered, glancing skyward as storm clouds rolled in ominously.
"Hey, it's just a little rain!" Jesse said, attempting to lighten the mood again. "We're on a beach trip, not a hurricane evacuation!"
But as the rain began to pour harder, Brian's anxiety spiked again. He pulled out his phone, quickly dialing his mother's number, but there was no answer. Panic began to settle in the back of his mind. "Momma, please be safe," he whispered to himself.
The rain continued to hammer down, and the group huddled closer under the makeshift shelter they had created with towels and blankets. Despite the warm fire, the chill in the air grew more intense, matching the growing unease in Brian's heart.
As the storm raged around them, Brian tried to focus on the laughter of his friends, but worry for his mother consumed him. "I should've gone back with her," he thought, feeling guilt creep in as he watched the rain drench the sand around them.
"Hey, Brian," Dom said, breaking through his thoughts. "Why don't we go inside for a bit? Get out of this rain?"
"Yeah, let's move the party inside!" Mia added cheerfully, trying to pull him back into the moment.
"Sure," Brian agreed, though the storm outside mirrored the turmoil inside him. They quickly gathered their things and headed toward the beach house, seeking refuge from the rain.
Once inside, the group settled into the cozy living room, the sound of the rain pounding against the windows replaced by the laughter and chatter of his friends. Brian tried to push aside his worries, knowing he had to be strong for both his mother and himself.
But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was more than just the rain outside. It was the storm inside his heart, and it was far from over.