As The Wind Blows -2

As The Wind Blows
Chapter one (con’t)
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"Come on Mom! We have to leave now to catch the last ferry out." Mira Monteque took one last look around and thought of all the times last year when she had to do this. They were lucky last year, would they be lucky now? She sighed heavily. Maybe it was time to look for a place on the mainland. Away from the ocean. "Mom!"

"I’m coming!" Daffodil shuffled toward her daughter. "I couldn't leave without your father, you know." The older woman clutched an urn to her chest.

Mira gently helped her mother out the door and then locked up. She did what she could. She bought waterproof chests to pack up what they couldn't take with them. No one said anything on how to find them if everything washed out to sea. She screwed the cupboards and closets shut and boarded up the windows. Now all she could do is pray. She helped her mother into the car and headed to the ferry. She glanced at her mother's profile and smiled a sad, little smile. She could guess what was going through her mind: No sense looking back, when all you can do is go forward. The wind coming in off the water pushed at the little car as it made its way down Ocean Blvd. At least they had insurance.

Mira risked a quick look out over the ocean. The waves had to be three to four feet already! It was going to be a rough ride to the mainland. She cast a worried look at her mother.

"Now child, don't you be worrying about me none. I'll be fine." Daffodil reached an unsteady hand out and patted her daughter's thigh.

The medical company came and took away the oxygen compressor early today so all her mom had with her was her small portable tank. They assured her that it would be enough to see her to the hotel where they were registered. The compressor would be there waiting for them. Mira sighed again. It's been an uphill battle since her mother's lungs started failing. Her lungs went, then her heart.

She slowed down as she approached the ferry. There was no one else in line to be loaded. She stopped as she came up to the loading line and rolled down her window to hear what the fireman was saying.

He looked down at a clipboard, "Ms. Monteque?"

"Yes."

"Is this your mother?"

"Yes."

"It's going to be a rough ride, is she going to be alright?"

Daffodil Monteque leaned over her daughter to shout at the young man, "quit talking about me as if I weren't all here. I'll be fine!"

The fireman tried to hide his smile, "yes madam!" He looked back at Mira, "you're the last ones. Please proceed slowly. They're going to want to anchor your vehicle down before taking off." He watched as she did as directed.

It wasn't long before they pulled away from the dock. Mira and Daffodil, being the last on, got a front row seat to the retreating island. Mira reached out and took her mothers hand in her own, both women were wondering the same thing; would they ever see their home again?