—Just Another Storm Part 1—
It’s storming.
The clouds are Dark Grey, with splashes of White here and there.
Off in the distance, it’s even darker.
The rain is pouring like Niagra Falls. I have my Hazard Lights on.
Twelve miles per hour seems to be the fastest I can safely drive.
“Ace Hardware;” Here I come.
What I’m after is some “Asparagus Roots” to plant.
You might remember that I have, what I call, a “Disabled Persons Garden.”
It’s perfect for me.
A raised Flower Bed is what it actually is, but I use it to plant Vegetables. I don’t have to bend over at all.
Asparagus is hard to find around here. I bought one root already from the local “Piggly Wiggly” or “The Pig.”
So, if “Ace Hardware” doesn’t carry it, I’ll walk over to “The Pig,” which is next door in the same building.
I pull into the Parking Lot.
After turning my Vehicle off, I grab my phone and jump out of the Truck and into a river.
The “lot” is flooded. The water rushes over my Ankles.
Feeling in my legs and feet is limited. It’s hit-and-miss.
I have some feeling in some parts, but mostly my legs and feet are Numb due to my Spina Bifida.
And, as an Adult, I am no longer able to run.
As a kid, I ran all the time. I even played Baseball and ran the bases when I did get a hit. That has all changed as I grew, though. If I try to run, I trip and fall.
So I’m not running through the Parking Lot. I walk.
The water rushes over my shoes and covers my ankles. I continue to walk.
I enter “Ace Hardware.” All lights are out.
“We’re still open, Sir.” He continues, “We’re taking cash only, though.”
“Okay. Do you carry Asparagus to plant?”
“No, Sir. I think “The Pig” next door still has some; if they have electricity.”
“Okay, Thank you,” and I exit and walk over to “The Pig.”
At “The Pig,” they have some lights but not all.
“We’re open, Sir.”
“Do you take cards, though?”
“Yes, Sir. We take everything. We have a backup system that kicked in.”
I walk over and find boxes of Asparagus—one plant per box. I buy all Four, walk to the register, and pay using my Debit Card.
I exit.
Back in my Truck, I look out the window. “It’s Gloomy,” I mumble to myself. “I hate this weather. It makes me sad,” I mumble some more as I crank the Truck.
I drive out of the “Lot” and get back on the road to head home.
