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"I did Uber over," she says.
"No question. Get your things."
Ten minutes later, we're driving down the highway, taking the route to our neighborhood. As I drive, the sky is darkening, and a light mist starts to descend on us. The air is thick with moisture and the scent of rain as if the clouds have been storing up all day just for this very moment. In the distance, flashes of lightning in orange-tinged clouds hint at the brewing thunderstorm.
"I hope it's not a bad one," says Olivia, staring into the sky just as there's a gust of wind that shakes my car ever so slightly. The lightning strikes begin.
"I know," I say, worriedly. "If you need anything, just call me okay? On my personal cell and I'll text you my landline number too. Do you live alone?" I ask. I can't imagine I never asked her that before.
"Yeah, alone," she says. “The house belongs to my dad. He’s letting me live in it while I get up on my feet. He inherited it from my grandmother.”
I wonder why she only ever talks about her father and no one else. I wonder where the rest of her family is, but I don't ask.
“So,” she asks, giggling, “what did you mean earlier when you said you’re hiding out from your world.”
I laugh out loud, “I lied. I moved because I was stalking you, of course.”
She furrows her brows in protest, and I laugh, “I’m joking. Texas is a breeding ground for old wealth. I’ve seen how many kids grow up here, completely spoiled and lost. I think I mentioned this to you earlier, that I wanted a safe neighborhood for Emily, and I wanted to give her a home surrounded by families and neighbors with good values. But it runs deeper than that. I could have moved her next to where the billionaires live, but then I wondered – who would her friends be? Who would she go to school with? The neighborhood we’re in was my dream neighborhood growing up. A little lawn up front, a white picket fence, and a school with kids from loving families. Everyone works hard, everyone keeps their neighborhood safe, and everyone chips in when someone is in need. When I was looking for houses, this house just called out to me, especially when I heard how exciting it is during Halloween. I’m thinking, maybe I should get a dog for Emily. That would complete the house, won’t it?”
Olivia smiles. “It would,” she says.
It's 3 pm by the time I drop Olivia off, park the car, and enter the house. The nanny looks at me with relief, and thanks me for coming back early. She asks if she can head back to her place to spend the weekend with her parents and I give her the time off. Emily has been a little under the weather, and she updates me on that before leaving. I can tell that the hurricane warning has spooked her too and she rushes out like the wind.
Just then, I hear the sound of running feet coming closer, and before I know it, a bundle of energy flings herself into my arms. It's Emily, my five-year-old daughter. Her eyes look wide with excitement, and she's smiling from ear to ear.
"Hi, Daddy! Guess what?! We had so much fun at school today! Mrs. Tompkins gave me a gold star for my math test, and I shared an apple with my best friend Lisa!" Emily says in one breath. She starts coughing violently.
“Slow down, honey,” I say, worried for her. “Let’s get you something warm to drink.”
“Can I have food instead? I’m hungry,” she says while patting her belly like a Teletubby.
I laugh and ruffle her hair playfully as I lead her into the kitchen. "That sounds like it was an awesome day, sweetheart," I say as I take out some fruits, cheese slices, and crackers from the fridge to make her a snack. I also make and force her to drink warm water with ginger and honey. I follow it up with some cough drops. When I touch her forehead, she moves away from my hand and continues chattering. But she doesn’t seem warm, so I don’t push it.
"She told us that tomorrow is going to be even better! She says we get to go on a field trip to the museum - can we go? Please?"
"We'll see," I say, trying not to make any promises. "If the weather holds."
We finish the snack and settle in for a movie marathon. I choose an animated film with lots of music. I don't know how the hurricane will pan out, but I know I want to distract Emily from it if it gets bad. I don't want the little nugget to feel scared.
Just when the second movie starts, I hear a rumble of thunder and feel a light shaking of the house. Emily's eyes grow round and large as she casts an uncertain look around her. "What is that sound?"
I take a deep breath to calm my own nerves. "It's just wind and lightning," I explain. "It's not dangerous," I add, though part of me doesn't believe what I'm saying.
The hurricane gets worse with every passing minute as fierce winds blow outside and lightning streaks through the sky. The lights flicker off and on, making Emily jump each time they do so. Windowpanes rattle from the wind gusts, creating eerie sounds that make my skin crawl with fear. Trees bend in half from the force of it all and debris blows everywhere outside like confetti. When it gets really bad, we move closer to each other for comfort and wrap ourselves in blankets for warmth.
I can't distract her anymore. The TV flicks off automatically as do most of the lights in the house. The hurricane is really here. At the back of my mind, I think about Olivia. How is she holding up? I wonder if I should check in, but Emily needs all my focus.
She looks up at me with her big, scared eyes. "Daddy," she chokes out, "what's happening?"
I kneel down and pull her close to my chest. I feel the warmth of her skin against mine, and it brings a bit of comfort in these confusing times. I whisper in her ear, trying to keep my voice steady while reassuringly telling her that all will be okay.
She eventually nods slowly, clutching tightly onto my arm as if it were a rope that could keep us both safe. "You want to play a game, Emily?" I ask.
"I don't feel too good, Daddy," she says.
She's just scared, I think to myself. "Don't worry, baby. You'll feel just fine once we play this game, okay?"
"What is it?" she asks, coughing slightly.
