Rain was beating against my house. The occasional thunder was heard from inside. Looking out of my window, I saw a bright flash of light cascade itself across the overcast sky. The raindrops evolved into bigger droplets. Water flooded Westchester Avenue, passing cars would cake the nearby lawns with cloudy gutter water. This weather was nothing new here in Oregon. Although there hasn't been this much flooding since the one in January of '97. It looked like there was a river right outside of my front door. Lacey, my Shetland Sheepdog, couldn't even go outside to bark with her boyfriend, Ryker the Rottweiler. Those two would spend all day looking through the chain link fence if they could, but not today. When I was about to let her in after her nightly "routine," her paws and white mane were coated with mud. Mom was going to have my ass if Lacey ran around the house with those dirty--

"Lacey Grace Monroe you get your tail back here!" Lacey bolted all over the house. 

The white living room carpet was trampled by her muddy footprints. The dangling of her tag hitting her purple collar jingled throughout the hallway. I ran all around the house trying to catch her grimy body. She ran upstairs so I darted after her. Once I reached the top I saw that my parent's door was open.

Dear God please. Please, don't be on the b--

Creaking the white door open, Lacey was sprawled all across my mother's favorite quilt and comforter. Lacey's tail was batting against the covering. Her brown eyes would look in my direction, then away every few seconds I remained in the doorway. I sighed and walked over to the bed.

"Lacey, girl," I cooed. Her ears perked up at the sound of my voice. Kneeling next to the bed by her face, I looked into her hazel flecked brown eyes. "You know, Mama isn't going to be happy about this," I spoke earnestly. 

At the sound of my mom's nickname, Lacey rolled over on her pink belly. Her tail was softly wagging as she pawed the air to get my attention. Blowing a small puff of air into her face, she rolled over quickly and brought her head closer to mine. Her cold, wet nose was pushed against mine. Sending a small burst of air towards her face once more, she quickly licked my nose. She stood up on the bed and playfully barked at me, gesturing for me to play with her. I chuckled and instructed her off the bed. She sat by the door for a few minutes, watching me pull apart the newly made bed, but she must've heard Ryker bark because she ran downstairs. Her long nails clacked against the dark oak planks as she made her way down.

I gathered up the embroidered quilt and gray comforter. I walked down the stairs and entered the laundry room (which was just below the stairs behind a door). I threw the items into the washer. Sealing the cavity, then peering at the white buttons with my aqua marine eyes. How the hell do I work this thing? My mom has never taught me how to work the washing machine, she always does my laundry for me.

Buzz buzz! 

My phone buzzed in my jean pocket. Pulling it out, a notification popped up on my screen. Tami, my girlfriend, texted me.

We need to talk. Come over to my place at 8.

Looking at the time on my phone it already said it was more than half past 7. I guess I could start to head over. I walked to the front of the house and peaked outside of the glass front door to see if the rain had subsided; it hadn't. 

Buzz buzz!

Please. It's urgent. 

I sighed. I looked back out the window then grabbed my coat and keys. Tossing the jacket over my shoulders, I headed out into the cold Oregon rain. The front porch light was flickering, causing me to step into numerous puddles because I couldn't see where I was walking. Mud squished between the indents on my brand new black Converse. I fumbled with my keys to unlock my black 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. Shoving the key into the socket and turning it in one swift motion, I popped open the door. Crawling into the driver's seat, I closed and started up my car. I grabbed the Coke cans that were in my seat and tossed them into the backseat. The windows were blurry from all the falling rain water. My windshield wipers were quickly at work in order for me to see the streets and traffic lights. I yanked off my hoodie and latched on my seatbelt. Switching the gear from park to drive.

Slowly easing out of my neighborhood, I stopped at the corner. Looking both ways I saw that it was clear. I pulled out into the street and heard a loud honk come from behind my car. My heart practically leaped out of my chest. A car without its headlights on swerved around me. The driver hollered at me, but I was unable to hear him because of the loud rain that was pounding against my vehicle. A flash of light beamed above the city. I could feel the rumbling of the thunder in my toes. Thank God Tami doesn't live far, I thought.