“Hi, chasers. Welcome toThe Rainy Day Showwhere we’re taking another field trip today. My luck with tornadoes has been atboth ends of the spectrum this summer, and I’m hoping today is on the calmer side.”
I pause for a beat, noting the shift in wind and the direction the clouds are moving.
“The chances for rotation are on the lower end, and I expect we’ll see some funnel cloud activity, but no touchdowns. The atmosphere doesn’t feel conducive to it this afternoon, but that’s okay. A viewer sent in a cool photo from Daytona Beach yesterday where they spotted a waterspout, and it warms my heart that y’all see weather phenomena and think of me. My inbox is always flooded with questions from you, so let’s get into it before these storms start rolling in.”
I lean forward and scroll through the comments coming in, searching for something to answer. Half of them don’t make any sense to me, messages likeomg is it happening?!andplz this is so cute I’m going to CRY!!!inundating the screen.
I finally find one from a user named PocketFullOfSunshine89 that catches my eye.
What’s your favorite weather phenomenon? Or one you haven’t seen yet but want to?
“Great question, PocketFullOfSunshine. I think it’s pretty obvious my favorite weather phenomena are hurricanes. I’ve studied them the longest, I’ve written dozens of papers on them, and while I don’t pretend to understand the inner workings of tropical cyclones they … it’s like they speak to me in a way. As for a phenomenon I haven’t seen yet, I have three: thunder snow, which is hard to make happen in a state where the annual average temperature is seventy degrees. A bomb cyclone, which shares some similarities to a hurricane. And, last but certainly not least, a haboob, purely because it’s fun to say.” I laugh and pull my hood over my head as the raindrops turn heavy. “No, it’s not a sex term, get your head outof the gutter, folks. It’s a dust storm carried by the wind of a thunderstorm, and the photos look absolutely terrifying.”
PocketFullOfSunshine89:Good picks. Here’s another one for you: Which weather phenomenon is the most like falling in love?
“Wow. We’re getting personal today, aren’t we? I don’t have a ton of experience with a question like this, but I’ll do my best. I think it depends on the person. For some people, there’s not a weather phenomenon associated with falling in love, because it’s always bright skies. Calm conditions. Easy. Safe. It might be the storm chaser in me, but that sounds boring. Lately, I’ve started to think love is more like a lightning strike. Charged, electric. You don’t know when it’s going to hit. It mightneverhit. A lot of people are afraid of it because it’s scary and powerful. But when you see it … when you experience it …” I trail off, envisioning midnight-blue eyes. A necklace cool against my skin and the brightest laugh in the world. “It’s beautiful.”
The sky lights up behind me in agreement. A roll of thunder vibrates the ground, the rumble rustling the leaves of the nearby trees.
“What other deep things can we talk about? This is taking a philosophical turn, but I—”
Approaching in the distance is a pink VW Bug honking its horn. The headlights flicker on and off repeatedly, and I look around.
There’s no one else here. I’m all alone in a field, two miles from the main road, and I might be the subject of a kidnapping.
“Uh. Sorry, y’all. We’re going to have to change locations. Someone is driving this way, and it’s making me uncomfortable.”
I reach for my tripod, glad I have my camera rolling. If anything happens to me, at least it will be documented. The Bug parks next to my car, and I curse myself for not staying close to my vehicle.
A quick scan of the area shows me I have room to run if needed.I could veer right then come up to my car from the side. It’s risky, but it might be the only choice I have.
The driver opens their door and sticks out a leg. The next one follows. I rear back when Sebastian stands, arms draped over the window and a grin tossed my way.
“Quinny baby.” He slams the door shut and walks toward me, a pep in his step. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“What—” My eyes flick to my phone. The comments are still coming in, hundreds of people leaving notes likeglad he made it!!andcan’t wait to see how this goes!!!“What are you doing here? Did your flight cancel?”
“I didn’t stick around to find out.” He stops when he’s in front of me, out of view from the camera but his voice loud enough to pick up on audio. “I was at the gate, minding my business. This dad and his daughter walked up to the window near where I was sitting. She started asking questions about the weather: What kind of cloud is that? What causes rain? Is that a rainbow over there? Why does the sky turn purple?”
“That made you not want to get on the plane?”
“No. It made me wonder if that’s what you were like at her age. Curious. Smart. On a never-ending quest for knowledge. And then I had an even wilder thought. One I desperately want to find out for myself.”
“Yeah?” The syllable shakes. “What was it?”
“I wondered if two weather-loving people like us had a kid, what would they be like? Would they think it was boring because it’s all Mom and Dad talk about? Or would they want to follow in our footsteps? Brave and beautiful like their mom. Reckless and stupid like their dad who is so unbelievably obsessed with someone so far out of his league.” Sebastian moves around the tripod until he’s next to me. His hair is drenched. His shirt sticks to his chest, but he’s smiling. “After that, I left the airport.”
I touch his face, wanting to make sure he’s real. “Are you planning on going back?”
“No. The thought of being away from you for even a second seemed like hell on earth. I found a loophole in my contract and turned in my two weeks. I don’t know what I’m going to do next, but I don’t give a shit. Not when you’re next to me.”
“I know you were having a hard time, but you love being on camera. You love talking to people and—”
“I love you more.”
Simple, powerful. Strong enough to move mountains, and a strangled noise leaves my chest.
“You love me?” I whisper, trying to catch up.
