The Calm Before The Storm

"The Blues ain't nothing but a..."

Angelica glanced out the window as a gruff taxi driver drive Morgan and herself out of the parking lot of the hospital. She looked down slowly at the white wrist brand that displayed her identification as a Steel.

"Ya know, you two ladies look way too upset for a day as nice as today." Breaking the silence, the gruff driver spoke up in a weak southern accent.

It was at this moment when Angelica snapped back to reality in time to take a good look at me the man as he spoke.

Short brown hair, worry lines, a large ridge on his nose that likely indicated that he was clumsy...of rowdy. Angelica leaned forward her tongue sharp only to be stopped by Morgan's bubbly voice.

"It's just one of those days, don't you think?"

The man glanced up into the rearview mirror. "I think you ladies work too hard."

"How would you know." Angelica spoke just loud enough for him to hear with cold confidence.

"Because I'm just like you."

He slowly reached over to tap a small picture above the radio. The photo was as of a man along with two small children whose skin didn't match his own.

"I'm 10 years sober...I did it for them."

Angelica's stomach churned and she stared daggers into the back of the man's seat. 'How can you be so arrogant.'

From then on, nobody said a word, and upon arrival, the pair quickly paid the man and got out of the taxi to face a building that scraped the sky.

"Oh, wait!"

Morgan turned to the man, but Angelica walked forward into the buildings automatic doors and moved towards the front desk.

As Angelica made her way to the desk, the sound of her heels grew louder and louder. Faces turned, people quickly side stepped to make way for Angelica who seemed not to notice. A young girl stood and quickly gave a warm greeting. However, Angelica didn't meet it warmly.

"Top floor. My father is waiting."

The girl was clearly off put, she looked into the lifeless eyes of Angelica for a moment before shifting her gaze. "Absolutely ma'am." The girl took a seat and began to insert a code into a small box under the counter's lip. After a moment the girl slid a lime green card towards Angelica, who quickly grabbed it and began to walk towards the nearest elevator.

A small voice shouted from behind and Angelica turned to see Morgan at the front desk.

The doors close...

A soft sigh escapes her lips as she places the card against a small scanner. After a moment the scanner clicks and the elevator begins to move upwards.

It took a century to get to the 20th floor. Angelica had plenty of time to plan the conversation she was about to have with her father.

Ding...ding...ding...