Lib Novel Page 19
“That sounds like Beth. Her middle name is Drama. Although I don’t blame her right now. A hurricane on the island isn’t anything to take lightly. We’re all going to Trevor’s family home on the east coast. Devon and Eliza have a place in West Palm Beach. You, Paolo, Chelsea and Ciara are welcome to join us. The house is massive. It has ten bedrooms so there is plenty of room.”
“Ten bedrooms? Who has a house with ten bedrooms?” Maggie asked.
Sarah laughed at her mother’s reaction. “I asked the same question when I heard how large it was. I forget how many bathrooms, but you get the picture. Anyway, will you all consider staying with us?”
“We might just take you up on that, Sarah. Nothing would make me happier than to spend time with my grandchildren. Besides, I’d prefer to stay in Florida so we can get back to the island just as soon as the storm passes. We’ll talk to Trevor in the morning about it.”
“Sounds good. Good luck with everything and let me know if you need my help. Stay safe.”
“I will, honey. You too. Talk to you tomorrow.”
Sarah ended the call with a sigh of relief. The Hutchins’ West Palm Beach home was about to be filled with three grandchildren, six additional adults, several baby chicks and a partridge in a pear tree.
CHAPTER 7
Maggie and Paolo waved to Trevor from their spot at the back of the room. Hoping to get a front row seat they, along with Chelsea, arrived at the Town Hall just before ten o’clock, but the large hall was already filled with business owners and residents anxiously awaiting news of the hurricane.
“By the looks of things, I’d say panic has already started to trickle into this community,” Trevor said.
“I think you’re right. You can see the fear on everyone’s face. I don’t mind telling you that anxiety is starting to creep into my gut too.”
Paolo squeezed Maggie’s hand to lessen her fear.
“I’ve been through this before. I predict by the end of the day you won’t be able to find one bottle of water on any of the market’s shelves, either on or off island” Chelsea said.
A short man that Maggie didn’t know stood at the front of the room and tapped the microphone.
“Can I get everyone to take your seat so we can get started?” he asked.
The low whispers and conversations silenced as everyone found a chair.
“My name is Harold Myersmith. I’m on the Board of Selectmen in Fort Myers. I’m here with you all today to support the island’s businesses and residents and answer any questions you might have about the county’s involvement in what happens here.”
“Are we going to get any help from the county government preparing for this storm?” Wilson Evers asked from his first row seat.
The man nodded but his face showed his displeasure at having been put on the spot before he had a chance to speak.
“Yea, of course. We’re here for you just as we are for the rest of Lee County.”
“Yeah, but the rest of Lee County doesn’t have the Atlantic Ocean abutting its back yard,” Wilson responded to the cheers of several people in the crowd.
Harold held up his hand and tried to quiet the room. “I’ll answer all your questions but first please let me say what I’ve come here to say. Sanibel and Captiva present a unique situation for the area that, as you so rightly pointed out, is closer to the ocean. Now, while getting your properties as secure as possible, I’m here to advise you all that we feel it best that everyone evacuate the island just as soon as you can.”
Harold’s last statement got the crowd in an uproar. What should have been nothing more than a common sense approach, seemed an attack on the businesses and residents who wished to ride out the storm.
“Please, everyone…please let me finish. No one can force you to leave the island but we are strongly suggesting that you do so in the interest of safety. We expect there to be significant flooding along the streets of Fort Myers and while we will do everything in our power to help anyone whose life is at risk, our resources are limited. We cannot guarantee that someone will come to get you as you sit on the roof of your house waiting for a boat to come by.”
Maggie could see Linda St. James talking with Crawford Powell in the corner of the room.
“I told you the two of them were thick as thieves. Look over there,” she whispered to Chelsea.
“Just because they’re talking doesn’t mean they’re colluding against you,” Chelsea said.
Maggie tried to focus on Harold Myersmith but couldn’t stop watching Crawford and Linda.
“First and foremost, secure your homes. Board up windows, bring outdoor furniture inside, and reinforce doors. If you plan to ride out the storm, you must stock up on essential supplies such as non-perishable food, drinking water, batteries, and flashlights.”
Chelsea chuckled and whispered to Maggie, “Yeah, good luck finding water.”