Category One Hurricane:

The semester went by. I had gotten used to New Orleans by then. I had almost then. Daddy never even made an attempt to call me. Mama only called me on Christmas and New Years. I spent Christmas with your grandfather’s family. I refused to go back to go that house. Sure, I saw my so-called friends. They still disgust me to this day. I cannot believe that I hung out with them so to speak. They were just so… shallow. Now, I know I used be like them, but still…

I shuddered as I remembered my life before Jim. I hate thinking about it even now.

Anyway, Christmas break was good. Your grandfather’s family had come to accept me by this point. Well, almost all of them. His sister kept giving me weird looks. I wanted to ask, but I decided that I better not.

“She’s peculiar on certain people,” Jim’s mother told me after the day after Christmas as I helped her take down the decorations. I made a face when she said that.

“You sure?” I asked. “I mean, I believe you and everything. It just…” I paused to collect my thoughts.

“Doesn’t feel like it?” I heard his mother finish. I looked up to see her giving me a little smile. I nodded once.

“Exactly,” I said. Mrs. Robinson patted me on the head.

“There, there,” she said. “She’ll come around when she sees you have good intentions.” I still gave her an odd look.

“When will that be?” I asked.

“Give it time,” his mother said. “She’ll warm up to you eventually.” I pressed my lips together as I nodded. That felt too impossible at the time.

Then, New Year’s Eve came along. I felt someone shaking me on the arm in my bed. I looked to see your grandfather sitting over me. I blinked in confusion.

“Jim?” I asked. He leaned downwards to my face.

“Let’s go out today,” he whispered. I blinked at him.

“Where?” I asked. Jim gave me a little shrug.

“Just out on the town,” he said. I frowned at him.

“Why?” I asked. “It’s going to be the same as last year!” Your grandfather gave me that annoying goofy grin of his. I resisted the urge to smack him again. He touched his forehead against mine.

“I know where all of the good places are,” he said. I looked deep into his eyes.

“Really?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he replied. I raised an eyebrow at him.

“How?” I asked. He slapped me on the hip in bed.

“Get up and I’ll show you!” he said again. He slapped me on the hip again. I winced in pain.

“Ow,” I whispered to myself. Your grandfather was so heavy-handed back then.

By noon, I was dressed and out with Jim downtown. I looked around, frowning.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“It looks the same,” I said. He held my waist.

“Patience, well ya?” he said. “We just got out the door.” I groaned and rolled my eyes.

“Look,” he said. “I’ll make it worth your while.” I glanced over at him.

“You promise?” I asked. Your grandfather had a tendency to pull little things on me.

I giggled to myself before speaking again. I looked and saw Frida looking at me oddly.

“What?” I asked. “Yes, this is another moment between your grandfather and I. So bear with me.”

Our new year’s that year started out simple enough. We went out to McDonalds for lunch. His treat, of course. He wouldn’t let me spend any money that day.

“This is a date,” he said. “You just enjoy the day.” Romantic, huh? Anyway, he couldn’t wait anymore.

“Hey, Jim,” I said. He glanced over at me with his cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

“Yeah?” he asked. I tried not sneer at the burning cancer stick in his mouth.

“What exactly are we doing tonight?” I asked. He gave me a cheeky grin. I frowned at him.

“No,” I said. “No games today. Just give it to me straight.” Jim sighed at me.

“Fine,” he said. Your grandfather leaned in close to my face.

“I’ll take you to favorite please,” he whispered. I gave him a funny look.

“Where is that?” I asked. He grinned and grabbed me by the hand. Before I knew it, your grandfather was pulling me down the street.

“Jim!” I cried. “Slow down! My arm!” I could only run to keep up with him. I couldn’t control his excitement at times.

We came to what we called the “urban gardens.” I marveled at the ice flowers on display.

“Wow!” I mouthed. Your grandfather nuzzled my ear.

“Pretty little thing, isn’t it?” he asked. I turned to him nodding. Then, he kissed me on the lips. I kissed him back. He gently pushed me to the ground. From that moment on, I went into a true wild ride that would go on for years.

1984