Beryl

08/07

It won’t really hit us. It’s okay. Go to sleep. Maybe just some slight winds and a bit of rain.

The south has been through many before. Nothing new. Water, batteries, canned food, ice. As long as the power doesn’t go out.

08/08

Woke up to him whistling loudly. The dogs on alert. It’s fine, it’ll be over in a few hours.

Can’t breathe, the house shaking with his strong beatings. The rattling of 100mph hitting over and over. It’s okay, it’ll be over soon.

What was that? The house screamed in agony. It’s okay, only a small branch.

The window provided no comfort. A small branch? My eyes landed on “the small branch” pinned into the roof and holding the 60 foot pine tree in place.

Can’t grab a breath. Breathe. It’s fine, it’ll be over soon.

Can’t breathe. Dogs on alert providing comfort.

The house shaking with protection. The wind beating her over and over again.

Can’t breathe. My house, my dream, please hold on.

He lasted 12 hours. Raging on our homes and land.

She moaned in pain, small tears leaking from her bricks. Winds haggering her down. Please hold on, it will be over soon.

The sun at last greetings us with a sad smile.

“Mom my house has a branch through it.”

Breathe. You’re fine. It could have been worse.

Power off. July Houston heat.

I have no money.

Breathe. You’re fine. It could have been worse.

The house leaks tears. The pine tree held in place. It would have fallen on their house. Breathe. It could have been worse.

08/09

Claim filed.

Drip. Drip. Drip. Houston heat.

Breathe, it could have been worse.

Neighbors rallying together. Clean up. Ice and snow cones. It’s summer. Our summer trip, canceled. “Ma’am we have to still charge you for the late fee cancellation of the rooms.” Breathe. “My house has a branch through it!! We can’t come, please don’t charge us.” No Canada in July, no summer trip.

Pitch dark street, not one single light.

08/13

No power still.

“Your roof is perfect.”

Confusion drawn on my face. “Perfect? There’s a branch through it.”

Adjuster. A smiling fraud with a clipboard, it’s fine it could have been worse.

Calling, over and over again. I have a branch through my roof!!

Deductible. Deny.

“Y’all will pay! My roof is not perfect!” breathe, it could have been worse.

Adjuster. A smiling fraud with pinched pennies that aren’t even his.

08/10

No power still.

Tree removal.

$1,000

$2,000

$2,900

$3,800

Extortion? How much does it cost to remove a tree?

$3,800. Savings gone. Breathe, it could have been worse.

08/15

We got power!

Chainsaws hacking at the faithful pine tree.

Huge trunk swinging towards my house.

More. Damage.

Screams escaping my lungs towards the “tree trimmer”.

“Get off my property!!!”

It’s fine, he said. Just a few small holes on your house. Oh and the cables from your electric are fine on the ground.

More in damages he caused. Smile on his face asking for payment for the trunk flinging towards my house!

Cops?

08/16

Calling.

Ring, ring, ring.

Another claim filed.

“Your house is old, it needs a whole new rewiring. $4,900”

My summer gone. No enjoyment, only stress.

Ring, ring, ring.

“Answer you coward! $4,900 in electrical work.”

No answer.

Now there really isn’t any money left.

08/20

Roof getting treatment.

Casita sighing with relief.

Wires on the ground being lifted and properly placed.

Insurance with partial payments.

Hair falling out, it could have been worse.

Be thankful it wasn’t worse.

Stop crying.

Breathe.

Fill your lungs with relief.

11/08

Storm forming in the Gulf….