I Can't Wait For You ~ 5

In my thoughts, in my dreams, you've taken over me.

More water pounded down on everything that I could see. I took a deep breath before starting the engine. I would have to call both my parents as soon as I arrived. Dad was probably already at the airport waiting for me..I could only hope. Maybe I could spread a little of this misery around. It was almost ten, where was the time going? Then again I was driving at fifteen miles per hour. Pulling back out I moved to the side of the road where I coaxed the little Honda into a crawl. Not only was this trip hideously boring so far, I was most likely going to loose my mind. After an hour and a half I made it to the dead end, where a small white house sat. A white barn about three times its size sat not too far off. The light on the porch was on, a good sign I hoped. For what I dearly, dearly hoped was the last time for a while I prepared myself to run through the falling water. I bolted through the gravel that was now mixing with mud a sickening slush that clung to my shoes and pant legs. The door swung open just as my foot hit the top step.
"Come in, come in. Please," offered the woman that I assumed must have been Nan. She looked about the same age as the woman at the bed and breakfast. Not to mention she'd been expecting me, that narrowed things down.
"How did you know I was here?" I questioned, shaking myself slightly and wringing out my hair.
"Are you kidding? Heard that car a mile away..and May said you'd be comin." My eyebrows rose under my bangs, which were plastered to my forehead. How could anyone hear a car in all this noise? I guess if you lived in the country it sounded loud..maybe? I shrugged and examined Nan again. She had white hair with a bit of yellow still clinging to it pulled into a braid over her left shoulder. A green plaid shirt was tucked into faded jeans that ended over brown boots. Her eyes were a light, nearly translucent blue, but they looked kind.

I half turned back to the door, remembering my suitcase.
"My clothes.." I murmured.
"Don't you worry about that. I've got some things that you can borrow. You look half drowned already, and I don't want you catching pneumonia. Come with me." She led me up a narrow staircase and opened a door, which led to a bathroom. "There's towels in there..I'll bring you something to sleep in."
"Thank you," I called after her. For an old woman she moved surprisingly fast. I had only towled off my face and a bit of my hair when she knocked gently.
"Here you go dear. The next door on the left is where you'll be sleeping whenever you're ready. You look exhausted." She handed me a pile of striped flannel.
"I'm Madison," I said, offering my hand.
"What a lovely name. I'm Nan as I'm sure you already knew."
"I don't think I have any cash..but I would like to try and pay you back if I can," I said after another moment.
"Let's worry about that later, shall we? Perhaps tomorrow, when you're up to it."
"Okay," I nodded. It was only noon, but I was tired. Maybe just a nap.
"I'll leave you to it," Nan said, moving back down the hall.

I set my purse on the floor and pulled off my soaked clothes. Rain was still pouring. It was hard to believe. The nightshirt that Nan had given me smelled of hay and earth. It was a comforting smell, and it was so well worn that it could have been the softest thing I'd ever touched. I fished a hair tie out of my purse and pulled my hair into a messy bun on top of my head. Before leaving the bathroom I hung all of my clothes on the rod holding up the shower curtain. As soon as I saw the empty made bed in the room Nan had directed me to all I wanted to do was drop onto it. But I did have to make some phone calls first. Mom would be at work, so I called my father first.

"Hello? Madison? Where on earth are you?" he seethed into the phone. I didn't bother to sigh, that would only make him more angry.
"My flight was grounded in South Carolina. I won't be able to get a flight out until at least tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, why that's ridiculous. You were supposed to be here two hours ago!"
"Well I am so sorry that the biggest storm the nation has had in years is blowing in on the same day that you scheduled me to fly. I'm fine by the way, thanks for asking." There was a long moment of silence.
"I'm sorry baby. How are you?" Try as I might I felt all my resolve melt away. He might be a jerk sometimes, but he was still my dad.
"I'm okay. Really wet and tired."
"Why are you wet? Aren't you at the airport?"
"No. I didn't know how bad the storm was going to be..I was trying to drive to another airport. I'm staying somewhere for the night though."
"Okay, well get some rest. Call me tomorrow and we'll figure something out."
"Thanks Dad, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye Madison."
"Bye." I didn't spend nearly as much time on my mother's voicemail. "Hey Mom, it's me. I'm going to stay somewhere for the night until the storm blows over. I'll call you soon. Love you." I dropped my phone into my purse, which I threw on the floor next to the bed. I crawled into that bed and closed my eyes, breathing deeply. I woke briefly and pulled the cover over me. My phone said that it was almost eight thirty.

The next time that I woke up I felt like it was the morning. I didn't want to open my eyes yet, the bed was so warm and comfortable. Plus, it wasn't like I had anything to do or anywhere to be. Eventually I gave up and stretched minutely. I had already slept an extremely long amount of time, chances of getting anymore were like none. For a couple minutes I let myself daydream that I was really home in my bed and that I would be able to see my friends today..maybe even Jake. Of course I wasn't home. Actually I should get up and see if Nan and I could work out some sort of deal. Slowly I opened my eyes and then blinked in disbelief. There was a boy in bed with me. I reached out a finger and poked his bare arm. He groaned slightly and moved closer. He was real. I wasn't dreaming. I screamed.