The Alternatives

A leaf falling from a Live Oak nearby gently wakes me up. I wake up in the middle of the street with no recollection of the night before. I quickly get up, fearing a car would speed by and trample me. But as I move, I realize that fear is ludicrous. There are no cars, except those parked in their driveways. The breeze blows softly. And yet this town today so silent it seems the wind is making a commotion. It’s a bit nerve wrecking, really. The streets are clean and kept; not an ounce of debris scattered. I make my way down the empty sidewalks, looking at the houses. They sit there, perfectly still and untouched. They all look the same when they are life less. Where did all the neighbors go? It all feels out of place. Why are there no children running around? Where are the cars that drive down the roads? They must feel empty knowing they won’t be used today, except for a wandering pedestrian who is losing her mind. I look up and even the skies are barren. No clouds to cover

Sunday morning. About to be 9 am . The shine from the sun illuminates the small caff in which Jennifer sits. Tall and with amber skin, she pushes her long, black hair from her face with her right hand and tucks it behind her ear. Now her beautiful round, doe eyes can be seen. She takes a sip of her coffee and pretends to look over the menu. She’s not hungry. She’s waiting. In walks an older gentleman wearing a dark jacket. He brings with him a somber presence. He takes a sit at the counter of the café and softly orders. He turns around to see who else happens to be in the café, besides the staff. A father with his two children. A young lady. Two men sitting side by side. Another woman crying over the phone. And a homeless man who passed out on the counter few seats away from where he is. The gentleman turns back around as the waitress serves him a cup of coffee. He thanks her as she walks away. Jennifer notices as the man swung his head around and

The lightning shines the dark and gloomy skies. Then BOOM!! Goes the thunder seconds behind it. It repeats continuously. Mickey stands in her living room watching the rain pound the dirt beneath it into submission. She takes a sip of her hot earl grey and takes in a deep breath, “Perfect,” she sighs, anxiously. Mickey makes her way to her chocolate love seat and reaches for her control to turn on the television. News reports of breaking weather fill the slots. “Wendy Vice here for Channel 6. Gary, this is the third tree on this block alone that has fallen over and taken out the power lines on Baker Street. The strong gust of wind and heavy rain are making...” The news continued. “Baker? That’s about three blocks down from where we are,” Mickey said to herself letting her mind run wild with unlikely scenarios. She stands back up and looks out the window again. The darkness has consumed the neighborhood. The barks of dogs faintly fill the air but are dominated by the wind and t