Hurricane Update drabble | featuring a phonecall with @fuorirete
Elio surveyed the damage. The gallery was a wreck. His castle of windows couldn't withstand the enemy forces of Hurricane Nikita.
An arcing crack spanned the length of the front window, a stray branch piercing the crystal surface. Tiny fractals of glass sprinkled the ground and flickered in the sunlight.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
The artist paused, fishing his phone from his pocket. Elby was calling. He quickly fumbled with the screen and answered.
“Elby? Where are ya? Are you alright?” The sound of her voice sent a sense of relief washing over him. I am, I'm in this motel, waiting for my uber to Carroll... Are you okay?
Elio paused, taking in the question. Was he okay? He glanced around the room. He was standing in four inches of water. He was without electricity, and he had no idea where to start. Only a few paintings near the broken window were damaged. Their frames were waterlogged and likely unsalvageable.
“Yes, I'm fine.” Fine and numb were the same thing he'd discovered early in life. “It's a mess here but no one's hurt. Do you need me to come pick you up?”
Thank goodness, it looked terrible... No no, it's fine.
There was a short pause before she continued. You don't mind me visiting you, do you?
Silence stretched between them. Elio couldn't see her face, but he knew what kind of expression she was wearing. He could picture her pursed lips and tilted chin as she waited for him to push her away.
“No, of course I don't mind.” He finally said. “It's just a bit sudden?” That was the simplest answer. After all, how could he explain the guilt and shame he felt? He'd missed Christmas and Easter for fuck sake.
Too sudden...? Nothing bad happened or anything, I just needed a change and-... We'll talk when I'm there, okay?
Elio stared down the hallway, afternoon sunlight glinted off of the standing water. It was so quiet except for his steady breathing. “It’s not too sudden. Just let me know when you get here. I love you.” It would be okay.