Just Add Water

Houston has been shut down by the mayor, and everyone is trying to evacuate, so the freeways are at a stand-still. Sugarland, where most of my family lives, has been given the recommendation to evacuate, or perhaps stronger language was used. Every hotel for a thousand miles inland is booked to capacity, food and water are scarce on grocery shelves, and there is no more gas in the tanks. In other words, they are literally sitting ducks.

My sister and brother are my half-siblings; we share the same paternity, but the connection has not been equal. I am the oldest and lived with my father as my siblings went with their mother. Dad has always been a wanderer and really lost touch with his other children, whom have come to resent him for being gone and not supporting their mother financially. They have every right to be angry with him, but it burns them like a molten fireball in their guts, and has held them back in life. Each has acted out in their own way--my brother with drugs; my sister with anger and estrangement.

My dad called me the other day and said, "You will never guess who just called me?!" His voice was jumping with excitement. "My daughter!"

In the past it was about wanting money, but it was different this time. She just wanted to talk to her dad.

"I'm so proud of you," I told her.

"My new boyfriend has helped me in so many ways," she said on the phone this morning.

"Then he is my new best friend," I replied. "All your anger has been chewing you up, and I was seriously worried about you.

"That's all changed now," she continued, "I have to bring this family back together. Mom is scared, really scared about the hurricane. I told her to come over here, and she said, 'Nobody invited me.' I swear!"

"You need to get out of Sugarland," I said.

"We can't; we have nowhere to go. The highways are jammed and the gas stations are dry. We have to take our chances right here. Besides, we aren't under sea level here. If it floods, it will go away soon after."

"I hope you are right."

"Well, I called my brother and told him to get his butt over here, but he still doesn't understand that our third largest hurricane EVER is heading towards us, and I think he is messed up on drugs."

"God dammit!"

"I know, but if he won't come, then I am driving over and stealing his keys. I'll MAKE him come."

"Good for you sis."

Maybe when this storm blows over, in the wake of the destruction will stand a unified family where only broken parts lay scattered before.

For this I pray.