A Storm Inside A Storm

“William. William, can you hear me? It is time to go.”

Shannon put on her boots and her jacket. The party would start soon, and she did not want to be late. The center was hosting a dance party for all its members as a celebration of the life we are given. It was an opportunity for those caring for individuals in challenging situations to have a release and find support in a fun environment.

“Will. Are you coming? You know it's almost time to go.”

When Will was diagnosed, she thought she could do the work herself and as long as they had each other, all would be fine; however, she quickly found out how truly she needed outside support. If for no other purpose than to have a grown-up conversation about something stupid, like how to make your coffee. A chat about something different than what Will wanted to talk about.

“Will.” Her voice was growing more frustrated. “Are you coming? You know Carlos will be there. He is going to want to see your new crimson sweater. He is going to want to talk about your latest invention.”

The center was about two miles away from their house. Driving was preferred, but Will always liked to walk. He wanted to feel the sunlight on his face. The path to the center, when walking, took them straight through the woods, and Will would always come up with a story about this plant or this random bug. They were quite entertaining and descriptive. However, today was showing signs of rain. Rain was Will's kryptonite. One drop and the world was coming to an end. Shannon thought if they could get out of the house and into the car before the rain hit, they could pull into the carport of the center before Will got a single droplet on him.

“William Straus. It is time to go. Get down here right now.” Shannon had turned her soft tone into that of a frustrated mom. She was now in ‘mother’ mode.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Shannon could hear him coming down the stairs. The steps were heavy and clunky. He was in a foul mood. ‘Deep breaths. We are going to get through this. We are going to be alright. Today is a good day.’

“Why are you yelling at me? That is not very nice. I did not yell at you.” Will’s demeanor was that of a hurt child’s feelings as though he had been treated unfairly.

“The party starts in a little bit, and I need to stop for gas in the car. I want to get there and help out if I can.”

“The party?!” Will’s eyes lit up. “I forgot about the party. I need to get my sweater and my invention. Carlos ….” he shouted as he rushed back up the stairs.

“Will?” Shannon shook her head. “I am heading out to the car. If you are not there in two minutes … I am leaving without you.”

Shannon could hear all kinds of calamity in the playroom upstairs. Lord only knows what he was gathering to take with him.

“Will…..” she started for the door. “I am leaving.”

“Wait. Wait. I am coming.”

Thump thump thump thump thump Will ran down the stairs in eager delight.

“I’m here. I’m here. Let’s go.” Out the door he slammed as he pushed past Shannon.

“I don’t want to drive. Let’s walk in the woods.” Will started for their trail.

“No. We have to drive. I want to go get gas first, then go to the center. Today we are going to drive.”

“Shannon?! I want to walk.”

“William…I don’t. Today we are going to do it my way. Now get in the car.” Her voice stern, but with a hint of playfulness so as not to start a fight hopefully.

Standing firm in the yard, in the direction of the path, “Walk”

“Drive”

“WALK!”

“William Straus. Put your things in the car. Get in the car. Put on your seatbelt. This is not open for discussion. We are going to drive. That is it.” Shannon could see behind Will’s position the dark clouds rolling in. She had to get him in the car before he saw them or the trip would be over before it started.

“WALK.” Standing his ground in the yard. Arms full of his new sweater and his newest invention.

“No, sir. Get in the car now. I am done discussing it. You have taken long enough that I won't be able to get gas before and won't get there early enough to be of much help. Get in the car.”

Sulking his shoulders lower, bowing his head, Will slumped over to the car. Tossing his stuff into the back seat, then climbing into the front seat. He put on his seatbelt, crossed his arms in defiance, and stared out the window.

Shannon quietly, but quickly, got into the car and headed for the center. She had to get there before the first thunder boom, or there would be a fight on her hands. Will would refuse to get out of the car.

“Are you excited to see Carlos?’

Will was silent.

“I think Spud and Jess are going to be there also.”

Silence rang through the car. Shannon was used to this treatment when he did not get his way.

“Dakota, I know he will be there. I wonder if he will bring his …”

“Dakota? Oh great. The big mouth is going to be there. This just got better.” Sarcasm spewed like venom from Will’s mouth.

“So, when did you and Dakota not get along? Never mind.” Shannon pulled into the car port of the center. The parking lot was beginning to fill up and there was a line behind her who wanted to use the cover of the port to get inside before all kinds of storms broke out.

“Alright. Get your stuff out of the backseat and go show Carlos. I see his car over there. He is probably looking for you.”

“NO.”

“Excuse me?”

“NO. I am not going in.” Will sat in his seat, still fastened and in complete defiance mode. Shannon had upset him so much that now he was going to be the scene for all to see. With a deep breath ….

“WILL!” Shannon looked out his window to find Carlos’ face pressed up against the glass.

Will looked and started laughing. Unbuckling and quickly departing the vehicle, Shannon had diverted an ugly scene. Thank you, Carlos.

Shannon pulled away and parked the car in a nearby parking spot. Not too far away from the door, but far enough to have some peace and quiet when walking to the door. The cloud cover was definitely over the town now, and it was only a matter of time before the storm hit.

“Good afternoon, Miss Shannon. So glad you and Will could make it today. We have all kinds of activities set up for them and a grown-up release section over here in the corner. You will have a full view of the activity area, and they will have a full view of comfort for you. Please, go have a seat and enjoy the company.”

“Bill. You are too kind. Thank you so much. For doing these events. For greeting us and taking care of us. You are the best.” Shannon reached out and grabbed him in a solid and loving

hug.

Smiles around, Bill replied, “You keep that up, and my wife will want to know our secret.”

“Oh Bill, Esther already knows. I told her last time. But she told me I might have to take you home with me if I kept it up.”

The two laughed.

**

“Carlos. Look at this. It is my new rocket. I am going to make a model first then I am going to build one for real.”

“Really?! That would be so cool. Where would you take the rocket to?”

“I would go …”

“You can’t build a rocket, stupid.”

“Dakota, shut up.”

“You can’t. I know. I tried.”

“Just because you couldn’t doesn’t mean I can’t. Go away.”

“I am going to build a time machine. I am going to go back in time before I got sick. Before Sally got sad. Before all the doctors. Before…” Dakota’s voice sank.

“Yeah. That is why I am building a rocket. I want to go somewhere with Shannon where they can fix me.” Will whispered.

**

“So, Shannon … how is it going with Will? Dakota is a hit and miss. We almost did not make it here today. He looked up at the sky and freaked out.”

“Oh, how I know. Will was in his own little world. I kept looking at the sky. He always wants to walk through the woods. Most of the time it is no biggie. It takes longer. But he enjoys it. However, I knew we could not beat the rain. Then he wanted to have a standoff in the yard. Only God knows how he got in the car before seeing the clouds. Now look at them. The storm is pounding outside, and they have no idea what is going on.”

“Hey ladies. Can I join you?”

“Well of course. Have a seat, Dave. Glad you and Carlos got here before us, or we might still be sitting in the car.” Shannon gaffed.

“Carlos is having a very good day today. God is totally with him. But …” Dave paused. “But … you are always waiting for the shoe to fall.”

“Yes. I know.” Both Shannon and Sally said in unison.

“But it looks like we are in a good moment. Who wants a hot cup of coffee and a pastry? Looks like Esther went all out this month.”

“Shannon, I would love one of those round things with pink on top and a nice hot cup of coffee.”

“Sally, you mean a unicorn doughnut and coffee. You got it.” Shannon played server for the moment. Also gathering a cup for Dave with a tiger tail pastry. Grabbing herself a homemade Bismarck to go with her hot tea.”

The grownups sat in their timeout corner in blissful conversation, ranging from the weather outside, which their charges seem to be ignoring, to what they thought was the best dinner to plan for the evening, or if they would even have the option or opportunity to pick dinner tonight. Laughter erupted over some of the strangest concoctions that they have made for their spouse or brother.

The boys watched from afar as their loved ones had fun.

“I miss Sally’s laugh.”

“I miss Dave’s jabs about my style. He has gotten so old.”

“I miss Shannon. She is not who she used to be. Before …” Will’s voice trailed off.

“I am glad that Mr. Bill and Ms. Esther have these events. I think our people need them.”

“Dakota, you are right. But you are still stupid. You can’t build a time machine.”

“And you can't build a rocket!”

“Would you boys like a snack? I have some fresh cookies that I made just for you in the snack area.” Esther interrupted the argument before it could escalate.

All three boys jumped up and followed her.

Just as they entered the snack arena, a boom of thunder hit that shook the community center. Dakota froze in place. Will fell to the floor, and Carlos took off running looking for Dave. Another boom hit, and then there was a crash at the back of the building. Bill headed to the location of the sound. Reaching the back of the building, he found that a tree had crashed into the storage room. It was an old, and not used very often room, but it did make quite a mess. Bill sealed off the room and used sandbags to help thwart the rain from coming in from under the door.

“It’s okay, everyone. God just decided to help me get rid of that old room off the back of the building.” Bill laughed. “Everything is okay.”

Dave calmed Carlos and got him over to the snack arena. Sally and Shannon settled Dakota and Will. Convinced them that it was safe and to go get a hot cookie from Ms. Esther.

“We almost died.” Will told Shannon.

“No, hon. You did not almost die. It was just part of the storm. Scary, but not harmful. I promise. I would not let anything hurt you.” Shannon’s voice was soothing and full of love. Will’s pulse slowed and he asked if she could sit with him.

“Of course. Do you want to cuddle on the sofa over there?”

Will nodded his head.

“Carlos, are you ready for a snack?” Dave asked.

“That was stupid scary, Dave. Like when mom and dad …” his voice trailed off.

“Yes. Stupid and scary. Let’s grab a snack and go over to the window and watch the storm go pass. We can make imaginary animals out of the raindrops on the windowpanes.”

“Okay.”

The two found a couple of bean bags near the big window in the activity area where they ate their snacks and described animal forms from the raindrops.

“Dakota,” Sally started.

“You did this.” His voice was deep. “You made me come to this. You knew I don’t like storms. This is your fault. I am frozen here now until the storm goes away.” His eyes filled with fright and rage.

“Dakota, I did not bring the storm. God brought the storm to …”

“This is your fault. You know that I don’t like to go out in the storms. Why would you bring me out in this?”

Taking a few deep breaths to compose her voice, “Bill and Esther asked us to come to their event last month and we agreed that no matter what, we would come. Remember?”

“So!”

“So, we came. Just like we promised.”

“I hate you. You made me come to this and now everyone knows that I am afraid of storms.”

With an enormously deep sigh, “ Dakota. It is okay to be afraid of storms. No one is looking at you. And if you want to hate me… that is okay. I love you.”

“No you don’t. You hate me. You brought me here and now I can’t move.”

Sally took a couple of steps closer to him. They had had an incident like this before, in their home during a storm. But she was able to talk him down. Now she thought it was time to try to hug him into movement. This was a risky step. Only to be used in extreme times, but as long as he was in the middle of the room posing as a frozen statue, the more it would become obvious to everyone else, and that would become an even bigger issue.

Reaching out, she grabbed Dakota in a secured bear hug. He began to struggle and fight back because he did not like people, anyone in his space. Sally hung on. He tried to pull away, but she clasped her hands tightly. He tried to headbutt her, and she took the blow. Soon, they were on the ground as he tried to squirm his way from her. As they hit the ground, Sally was able to maintain her grip. After a couple of minutes, Dakota settled, and his breathing returned to normal.

“Dakota, you are alright. The storm is passing. I’ve got you. I will not let anything harm you. I love you.” Sally’s words were soothing, and Dakota was able to calm his insides.

Carlos and Dave were focused on raindrop animals. Will and Shannon were watching the fake fire on the television. Bill and Esther were standing by to help in any way that they could. The other guests were quietly off to themselves but also monitoring the situation. They all knew, had seen, or been a part of a similar scenario themselves. They knew that it would pass; they just needed to give time and space.

The storm passed. The sunlight came out, and there was a rainbow visible from the front glass. Carlos was the first to see it and shouted for pure joy at its magnificent colors, so bright. Then he started shouting about finding a unicorn. He wanted to find a unicorn.

In a switch of events and in an instant, the three men were now on the search for a unicorn. Sally, Shannon, and Dave sat in awe of how quickly their worlds turn. No rhyme or reason, Dementia driven emotions make absolutely no sense to those who are not living in the midst of them. But, with the help of local friends and simple little get togethers, the world is a little easier to navigate.