The Quartermain

There was a hard, cold, driving rain roaring through the Washington, D. C. area.  Thunder rattled across the sky like bombs in the Persian Gulf.  Kristen tried to sleep but the flashes of lightening and the high winds of the storm wouldn’t let her.  She got out of bed and paced around the room.  Ever since childhood, Kristen has been afraid of storms and wouldn’t dare go near the window.  She turned the bedroom light on and walked towards the hallway of her small apartment.   Shadows of trees swaying in the wind danced across the living room wall.  She felt for the switch on the wall, turned the light on and glanced at the clock on her writing desk.  It was 3:40 A.M. 

Kristen picked up the Ebony magazine from the coffee table and began to leaf through its pages, when the telephone rang.  She grabbed it on the first ring.  “Hello?”  She said, almost afraid to hear the voice on the other end.  “Hey baby, did I wake you?”  “No, Marc?  What are you doing calling me at this hour?”  There was a pause, then Marc said, “Well, I just knew you were awake and needed someone to talk to.”  Kristen laughed and thought to herself, he thinks he really knows me.  “Actually, Marc, I couldn’t sleep.  This storm is scarring me to death.”  “Maybe you need some company.”  Marc said.

It was more of a question than a statement.  Of course he hoped she’d say yes she did.

“Are you kidding?  Answered Kristen.  I wouldn’t dare have you drive over here in this storm.

I’ll be fine.  I’m going to have some hot chocolate or warm milk and go back to bed.”

Marc sounded disappointed that his wife -to- be didn’t want to see him, no matter what the hour.  “So, now I know where I stand.” He said, jokingly.  “Really, I couldn’t sleep either.  I just thought I’d call to see if you were alright.”

“That’s sweet of you Marc.  Really, I’m okay. The thunder seems to be quieting down now so, I should be able to get back to sleep.  After all, I’ve got to be in that classroom by 8:30 in the morning.”

“Well, alright sweetie.  I’ll let you get back to bed.  Just wanted to see if you were awake like I am.  I’ll talk to you around noon tomorrow.   Love you.”

Kristen hung the phone up and walked to the kitchen to warm a cup of milk in the microwave.  She thought what a caring person Marc is.  You know I bet he would have driven over here if I had insisted.  He’s just that kind of guy. 

Kristen had rented the small, one- bedroom apartment about a year ago.  She wanted to prove to her mother that she could be independent.  She’s living not too far from her mother, Hattie Johnson who really hadn’t wanted her to move away from home.  Kristen is very dedicated to her job and loves the children she works with.  Her best girl friend, Shannon, who also teaches at Stone Middle School, says Kristen is just too serious for a young woman.

“You should loosen up a bit. Get down and have some fun sometime” Shannon told Kristen.  Kristen just laughed and said, “Oh I have fun when I feel like it.  I always have fun when I’m with Marc”.

Shannon and Kristen have been friends for over 10 years.  They met in college and somehow managed to get jobs at the same elementary school when they started teaching.  Shannon was raised in foster homes.  No one seems to know exactly what happened to her parents.  She doesn’t talk about her past that much.  But Kristen knows that Shannon just adores her and almost considers her family.  There are times though, when Shannon seems a bit envious of her best friend. Hattie’s protective nature towards Kristen and the relationship Kristen has with Marc, just make Shannon feel like she is missing out on something.  Shannon has had several boy friends, but can’t seem to get a good, healthy relationship going.  Kristen tells her  “Just be patient.  The right guy will come along when the time is right”.

It’s 7:00 A.M.  Hattie Johnson opened the drapes in her master bedroom and looked out at her beautiful rock garden, glistening in the sunrise after the storm the night before.  She followed her routine of calling her daughter to see if she is up and getting ready for work.

“Yes mom, I’m up but, running late.  That storm kept me awake last night.”