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Chapter 21
As we drove further north in Orlando going towards our apartment I noticed the destruction getting worse and worse. My stomach felt as though it was in my throat. I glanced worriedly at Deb, whose expression mirrored my own. Stacie seemed happily oblivious, belting out Nick's part in "Larger Than Life" and dancing in the back seat.
When we pulled up in front of our apartment building I sat staring. The roof had been blown off, almost all of the windows were shattered, and there were numerous trees down. Some of the trees had gone through the windows so that their branches were entwined among the furniture of the various apartments.
I got out of the car and joined a group of bewildered people milling about on the lawn. Walking up to an elderly neighbor who lived a few doors down, I asked, "Was everyone alright?"
"Oh, yes dear! A few people had minor injuries, nothing serious. Most of us spent the night in the basement," she answered.
"Are we allowed in the building?" I questioned.
"For now, yes. They won't let anyone stay though.
The building needs some major repairs, and none of the apartments have electricity or running water," she explained.
"Thank you," I said politely, although I really wanted to scream.
"No problem dear!" she called as I walked back toward Stacie and Deb, who were waiting by the car. Just as I reached them the guys pulled up and jumped out of their car coming to join us. I reported the information I had learned from our neighbor.
"Whew!" Nick whistled looking at the building.
"Time to face the music," I said dragging Stacie and
Deb with me to the door. "Entree," I said holding the door open for everyone to go through. I trailed behind Stacie, Deb, and the guys as we went up the stairs and down the hall. Since we were on the second floor and not the third, we still had a roof at least. As Stacie flung open the door to the apartment I got a sinking feeling in my stomach.
We stepped inside the apartment and surveyed the mess. There was shattered glass on the floor from the broken windows. The wind had been so strong that many things, including the furniture, were knocked over or pushed across the room. Stacie, Deb, and I looked at each other in despair. "How are we going to find some place else to stay?" was the thought running through all of our minds.
"Let's check our rooms," Deb suggested.
We walked down the hall leaving the guys standing in the living room. Stacie and Deb entered their respective rooms. "Here goes nothing," I thought turning the doorknob and throwing open the door. I just stared wide-eyed at my room.
The windows were broken here as well, but a large palm tree had fallen against the building, and its branches were protruding from the windows on the east wall. The giant leaves of the palm tree were flung across my bed, the floor, and my desk.
"Oh no!" I cried rushing over to my desk. My painting had been ruined. The cup of muddy water I had left sitting there had spilled, and the rain that had come in through the window had made the colors of the painting run together. The sunset over the skyline of Orlando was now just an unrecognizable blob of muddy, faded colors.
Upon hearing my exclamation, Deb and Stacie had appeared in my room. Both of them stopped within two feet of the doorway when they saw the palm tree stretching across my room. "Whoa!" Stacie exclaimed.
"What's the matter Meliss?" Deb asked. "Well, other than there being a tree in your room," she amended.
"Nothing big," I sighed. "My painting was ruined from the rain, and a glass of water spilled on all my stuff. I guess I'll just have to start over again," I said in an attempt to brush it off. They both just nodded understandingly. They both knew how much my art meant to me, just as I knew what singing meant to them. "How were your rooms?"
"About the same, minus the tree," Deb replied. We all just stood there looking at one another.
"Girls!" came Kevin's voice from down the hall. "You have company!"
"Coming Kev!" Deb shouted back.
Our landlord confronted us when we reached the living room. "Good afternoon Mr. Morris," I greeted the middle-aged man.
"Good afternoon indeed!" he replied indignantly.
"Boy, someone's grouchy! I think he needs a nap!" I thought as I glanced in the direction of Deb and Brian. Brian and Deb caught on and both bit back laughs. I gave AJ a puzzled look as he suppressed a laugh as well. "Did he understand me as well, or was he laughing at something else?" I wondered. "I know Brian and Deb can pretty much read my mind, but can AJ as well?" I shook my head, and turned my attention back to Mr. Morris.
"The building's a disaster! Almost all of the windows have to be replaced, we have to rebuild the roof, refurnish parts of the apartments, and there's no electricity or running water anywhere in the building! We have to repair pipes and power lines as well! I'm sorry girls, but everyone has to move out for at least two weeks, most likely more, so repairs can be made. I suggest you find other living arrangements. I would be helpful if you were out of here as soon as possible," he rambled.
"OK, Mr. Morris. Thank you," Deb said. Mr. Morris turned and left, slamming the door behind him. Without looking at the guys, and hearts sinking, the three of us returned to my room.
I sank down on the small space on my bed not occupied by a palm leaf, and looked at Deb and Stacie. "What do we do now?" I asked.
"I don't' know," answered Deb. We don't have enough money for a hotel because we rented this place, and we don't' know anyone who lives in Florida."
"I wish Grandma still lived in Florida," Stacie whined.
"Me too, but we have to think of something though. No way am I spending the rest of my summer vacation at home," I said determinedly.
"Whoa!" I heard another voice exclaim. I looked towards the door. All of the guys were frozen in the doorway. I guess they noticed the tree in my room.
"You can come in guys. The tree won't bite," I teased. Nick made a face at me as they all entered cautiously.
"Umm…we have a proposal for you," Kevin stated, addressing all three of us. "We know the landlord said you couldn't stay here, and if you don't have a place to stay you can stay with us."
Stacie and Deb were grinning like Cheshire cats! I was the only one who remained doubtful. "Are you sure guys? I mean, you've only known us for three days."
"Of course we're sure! We'd love to have you stay with us! If that weren't true, why would we have asked?" said Howie reassuringly.
I glanced at Stacie and Deb who were looking at me pleadingly. I smiled and nodded. "OK guys! You've got new roommates!" Deb said grinning. Nick and AJ were both grinning like fools as well.
"Pack your stuff girls," Kevin said being the rational one once again. We had kind of forgotten that tiny detail. Stacie and Deb left for their own rooms and the guys went back to the living room. I sat on my bed surveying the disaster, which only yesterday had been the beautiful room I loved so much.
***a few hours later***
We were pretty much packed by this time. I had just unpacked all of this
stuff four days ago and I was now re-packing it all again. I packed up all
of my clothes and belongings off the bookcase and dresser first. Then I picked
through the soaked art supplies on my desk, dried them off, and packed them
as well. My room was empty except for the original furniture.
Now, I put all my bags down by the door.
In the living room I found the guys packing our movies, video games, telephone
and answering machine in a large box. Once they were finished we took this
and my belongings out to the car and put them in the trunk.
When we returned Stacie and Deb were busy lugging their numerous bags to
the door. The guys stared wide-eyed at the luggage for a moment then shook
their heads. I laughed. "They're not exactly light travelers," I explained.
"Good thing we brought the Durango!" Nick observed.
"We're really going to need the space!"
After cramming all the bags into two cars, Deb went to tell the landlord
we were leaving, and give him the guys phone number so he'd be able to contact
us when the repairs were done. When she returned we got into the cars and
drove off. I was in the Durango with Kevin, Howie, and Brian because Nick
and AJ had wanted to go with Stacie and Deb.
"Bri?" I asked. "AJ laughed when I thought that Mr. Morris was a grouch.
Could he read my mind like you and Deb, or was he laughing at something else?"
This had been bugging me all day.
"Well, I asked him after you, Stacie, and Deb went to your room because I
had noticed and was curious too. Guess what? He can read your mind too!"
My eyes widened. "Great! One more person to watch what I think around!" I
said sarcastically. Brian and I laughed as Kevin and Howie looked at each
other as though they thought we were crazy.
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