Hope

"When's Dad gonna be here?" I wailed, eager to leave. Of course, my mother thought that I was just eager to go to Disney World. But in reality, the more distance we put between us and Tennessee, the better. The tornado was coming tomorrow, and I didn't want to take a chance on being here when it arrived.

Mom put her hands on her hips, her lips pursed. "Now, Tasha. You know that sometimes your father has to work. But I promise we'll leave as soon as he gets here."

"Today," Stellan said nervously.

"Today?" I asked Mom, knowing she couldn't hear Stellan.

Mom gave me a kind smile. "Yes, today, honey." Then she looked up at Colt, standing by my side, taking it all in. "Colt, honey, could you go to the living room for a moment, please?"

"Yes," Colt said, already heading that way.

Once he was out of earshot, Mom looked into my eyes. "Tasha, I haven't forgotten your bad feeling. And I promise, we will leave today... no matter what time. Okay?"