Born into a completely dysfunctional family with a mentally challenged younger sister, Gale found life particularly hard. The Navy a good place to hide and to grow despite his guilt over leaving his sister unsupported by other family members.<br><br>Nine years later, he returns to civilian life to find the old home abandoned, his family gone, and his sister missing from the group home her special education teacher Dave had arranged for her. Dave was Abigail’s only constant during the time Gale was away.<br><br>Worse, a major storm is on the way, promising flash flooding and damaging winds. Gale reaches out to Dave only to discover he doesn’t know where Abigail is, either. The two team up to find her, and in weathering the storm, they find solace in one another. But what will happen when the storm is over?

Number Nine on the Beaufort Scale

Our waiter came back. “Your food’s coming, but the boss wants everyone to know that we’ll be closing early so we can all get home before the storm hits. And, oh, my, let me tell you, you two are dressed to the nines.” He tossed his head and wandered over to another table.


“Us?” Dave asked. He was wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a sports coat with elbow patches. He looked like a college professor from the 1950s. As for me, I’d been travelling all day and then wandering around a dirty, crumbling old house.


Dave had a weird smile. He leaned in close to me and said, “I’ve seen him at Norm’s Nines. We didn’t have a gay bar here until several years after you left. It’s the place to be if you’re in.” He shrugged. “Especially if you’re out!”


Then we both drank, glanced at each other, and looked out the window.


“Oh, look, it’s raining,” Dave said brightly.


Our waiter came back with our food. “Eat fast, and make sure you swallow, ha ha!”


Chapter 3