SECOND CHANCES

     I couldn’t wait for ten o’clock to get here. Billy and I were going fishing at Sandy Creek.  Last time we caught fourteen fish. 

     “Adam, come here please.” You could hear Dad anywhere in the house if he wanted something.  I hurried downstairs.

     “I need to run to town,” Dad said.  “Keep an eye on your sister.  There is a storm headed our way”.

I looked out at the sunshine.

     “But Dad,” I said.  “Billy is coming over to go fishing.  We dug worms for two hours yesterday.”

     “I’m sorry, son. It can’t be helped,” Dad said walking toward the door.

     “Can’t Sally go with you?” I pleaded.  “Why do I have to watch the brat?”  The color drained from my face as dad spun around.

     “That’s enough of that,” Dad said, his voice rising.  “I’m taking Bobby with me to help.  There won’t be room for Sally.” 

     “I’m sorry, Dad. I’ll watch her.” I turned to hide my anger.

     “That’s more like it.  This storm warning is serious, Adam.  If you hear the sirens, get to the shelter like we practiced.  Understand?”

     “Yes Dad.” I walked away clinching my fists. Tornadoes were common where we lived. We had a cellar in the barn we could stay in until a storm passed. Hurt and angry I watched Dad drive off when I heard Sally laughing.

     “You’re not going fishing, you’re not going fishing,” she taunted.  

     “Shut up, Sally. Because of you I never get to do what I want. I hate you. Do you hear me?  I hate you.”

     “I bet you hate not going fishing even more.”  Sally plopped herself on the sofa with a big grin on her face.

     I was looking for something to throw at her when I heard knocking.

     Angry, I flung open the door almost hitting Billy, his eyes wide.   

     “Hey, what’s with you?” Billy looked irritated.

     “Just the curse of the big brother ruining my life again,” I smirked.

     “Huh?  C’mon Adam, the fish won’t wait all day.  You were supposed to be out here ready to go” 

     “Sorry, but Dad says I have to watch the brat.” I lowered my eyes on Sally.

      Sally continued to grin.

     “Are you kidding me, Adam?  Today?  You have to watch her today? You’re killing me man.  We planned this all week.”

     “I’d rather be killing her.  Anyways, Dad said there were storm warnings.”

     Billy gazed up at the sun filled sky and shook his head.

     “I think your Dad got his weather reports mixed up.”

     “I know how to fish,” Sally piped in, grinning on the couch.

     “No way, Sally.  I’d rather eat dirt.” 

     Sally pouted.

     “Suit yourself.  I bet you wouldn’t catch a stupid fish anyway.”

     “Hey, wait a minute Adam.  It’s better than not fishing at all,” Billy said pleading.

     “I don’t know.  What about the storm?”

     “Look at the sky Doofus.  See anything that looks like a storm?”

     Billy had a point.  There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.  Before I could talk myself out of it we were headed down the trail to Sandy Creek. 

     The fish were really biting that day.  I was having so much fun I forgot about being angry with Sally.  I also forgot about the storm warning. 

     “Can we go home now?  The sky looks funny.” 

     Looking up, a few clouds were visible off in the distance.

     “Shut up, Sally.  You just want to go home.  We’ll go home when I’m good and ready.”

     She started to say something else but I had another bite and ignored her.  Taking my latest catch off the hook I didn’t hear Sally fussing anymore.  I was baiting my hook again when I noticed the trees along the bank swaying.  Looking up dark clouds filled up the sky that had been clear earlier.

     “Hey, we better get home,” I yelled.   “C’mon Sally, let’s go.”  I grabbed my fishing tackle and started up the creek bank but Sally was nowhere in sight.

     “Hey Billy, where’s the brat?” 

      “I thought she was with you.”

     “Sally, this is no time to play hide and seek,” I yelled. “We’ve got to go.”

     The wind was picking up and my dad’s warning about the storm kept running through my mind.  Feeling sick with fear I ran up the trail screaming Sally’s name.  Billy joined in and we searched but could not find her.  My heart pounded inside my chest.  Billy froze just steps from me.  His face contorted as he tried to say something.  He pointed toward our house.  At first I was confused but then I heard that piercing noise.  It was our least favorite sound, the sound of sirens.

     I didn’t know where Sally was.  I didn’t know if we could make it to the shelter.  I just knew I couldn’t leave without her. 

     “I’m going home,” Billy yelled.  “You should too. I bet that’s where Sally went.”

     Billy started running down the trail.  Wind and tears stung my face.  I didn’t care about getting into trouble.  I just needed to find Sally.  I went back to the creek bank where I saw her last.  There was nothing.

     “I told you the sky looked funny.”

     I turned toward the voice but only saw the bank.  I thought I was hearing things when Sally crawled out from behind one of the trees along the bank.

     “Why didn’t you answer me,” I screamed.

     “I fell asleep,” Sally said crying.  “I wanted to hide from you.  Are we going to die?”  She cried.

     “No, we are not going to die.  Let’s get out of here.” I grabbed her by the hand.

     We ran up the trail but when we reached the clearing that separated us from the barn the winds were strong.  I held onto Sally with one hand and a tree with the other to keep my balance.

     “We’re going to die, we’re going to die,” Sally screamed. 

     “Sally, remember when I used to give you piggy back rides?  I want you to climb on and don’t let go.  Okay?”  I knelt down beside her and coaxed her onto my back.  The wind whipped around me.  As I stood up I saw a funnel cloud to my right.  It was headed straight for our house.

     With Sally screaming in my ear I ran toward the barn.  The winds were strong and rain pelted us.  I leaned forward to keep the wind from knocking me down.  It seemed like miles across that clearing.  I lost my footing several times but Sally hung on. Determined, each time I got back to my feet and pressed on.    We were just a few steps from the barn door when a bucket the wind flung through the air as if tossing a baseball knocked me down.  Holding Sally tight I looked up to see the tornado almost on top of us.  This is it, I thought.     

     Struggling to my feet I reached for the barn door.  Everything went dark.

     Lighting a lantern in the cellar I held Sally tight in my arms.

     “I love you Sally,” I whispered as she rested her head on my shoulder.

     “I love you too Adam.  Thanks for saving me.”

     Deep down where it’s not cool for boys my age to talk about I liked being the big brother.  I really loved Sally.  I had been given a second chance.  You should think twice about what you say to people.  You might never get a second chance to let them know how you feel.

        Mike Gowen  © 2004