Blackout Part 1

Autumn was generally considered to be a cool season. The sun went down early and the air was not as warm. Occasional windstorms did strike, and when they did it was a big deal. Storms would brew up the sky to a dark murky grey. The winds would gust any stray item outdoors. Lightning boomed as rain poured down. That was the case with this frightful day in the Cloverleaf Countryside.

No critter dared to leave the safety of their homes. Harlin Hopscotch and Mason Tuxedo were lucky it was a Saturday. At least, they were safe in their homes. “Oh, turn on all the lights,” Skip requested. The usual sunlight they received from the house’s many windows was all gone. Eaten up by the storm.

At the Tuxedos’, Lily and Rose had closed all the wooden shutters in their bedroom tight.

No one was allowed to open them or go to the balcony.

But, at that moment, the living room lights went out.

Heidi knew it right away with a confident certainty.

“We have a blackout from the weather.” There were gasps followed by complaints followed by a fearful “What will we do?”

“We’ll get through this,” Heidi calmed. “Harlin, dear, can you make the fire?”

Harlin went over and placed ample firewood within the fireplace. The flame stoked, and warmth was brought about.

The babies, scared of the dark, drew themselves at a safe distance to the fire.

At the Tuxedos’, Natalie decided to issue a blackout protocol.

“Well, since we live in the countryside now, we need a blackout protocol. Rule number 1: no one is to open the fridge! We have a lot of valuable food there. I don’t want it spoiled. Rule number 2: no one is to leave the house in this weather! Those winds could sweep a gentle lady away. Rule number 3: Huddle with blankets for warmth. It’s going to get chilly really soon. Rule 4:do not read any story books in the dark like this. It’s bad for your eyes.”

The cats were lucky that their automated stairs were still there. Mason had specially installed a system to store energy within the stairs for a good portion of time should the electricity get cut off. “Just in case!” Mason had said.

“Ah, that brings me to my last point. Rule number 5: No one is to unnecessarily waste the energy stored in our stairs!” Unexpectedly, Olive Tuxedo, who was up on the stairs, accidentally leaned on the stairs.

They went up to the third floor, before making a cycle back down to the kitchen.

“Olive!” Rose scolded. Olive received glares from pretty much all of the cats in the kitchen.

A thought came across Mason’s minds, dampenning his face right away. Natalie noticed and asked, “What’s the matter?”

”All that bread! Just soaked outside!” He dashed for the door, relaying what could be saved back inside. When all the bread was saved, Mason was shivering.

“Have a glass of hot water,” Natalie advised.

Meanwhile, Teri and her daughters were also trying to deal with the turn of events. It was obvious from her windows by the table that the storm had cut out power. Fearful, Teri dialed her sister with the landline frantically

“Hello, Heidi! It’s Teri.”

“I know, I know. It’s a blackout. My guess is the weather made it too dangerous for the power line to send up electricity into the countryside.”

The sisters were in a big contrast. One with experience and peace. One with panic.

“But, how will I get through this?! Do these happen often?” Teri continued.

“Relax, Teri. It’s not that often. Maybe one every few years when a storm gets really bad. You’ll be fine.”

“Okay, okay. Thanks for picking up.” Teri hung up.

Teri needed to stay calm. She was lucky her gas stove didn’t rely on any electricity. Teri decided to cook up enough food while there were still glimpses of light. She cooked up grilled bell peppers and cucumbers so rapidly.

When Teri and her daughters were done, she washed up the pretty white plates with the light that remained.

“Stay calm, everyone,” Teri advised her daughters, deciding to take on the role of an unworried mother. She sighed at the window.

“What is the countryside population going to do?” No one knew how long the outage would keep up…. A few more hours? A day? Who knew?!