The Storm

Unease for reasons unknown to me, a little restless
It seemed like a regular day….it was going to be a long long day
How bad could it possibly be I thought to myself
I could get slammed….would be exhausting but I could handle it
And then the grey haired gentleman came along, looking very stern
Made the little speech , with instructions and contact details….It sounded easy enough
Or so I tried to convince myself
But the unease or should I say  the premonition remained

Smiles and chatters all around
The perfunctory introductions and reassurances all around
Midnight arrived and then a minute past
Just when it seemed like it would be a smooth seamless ride
The dreaded call came…..She lost it…..Oh my goodness!!!
A deep breath….trying not to panic…I could handle it or so I liked to think
I called…no response….I called…no response…I called..no response…No one seemed to be responding…

Thirty minutes past midnight…..
Then the calls started coming back..
Alas there was hope..or Was there?
First attempt..failed, my heart dropped
Second attempt..failed my heart dropped even further
third, fourth, fifth and sixth…all failed
My heart had dropped so far down into some unimaginable place

Desperation…. crisis control mode…a temporary solution.
Some push back…lousy, irrational …I was close to breaking point…I could scream..
Finally it was in..some calm before the next phase of the storm.
And a storm like no other there was…The heavens let go…The grey haired gentleman had called….exchanging pleasantries was definitely not on his mind..

A deep breath, a sigh…
Troubled sleep…..haunted dreams from the past 12 hours
Giggles from those two precious ones…how very soothing
The calm after the storm…