A Difficult Disconnect

The day started with the sun shining and a slight breeze blowing. It appeared to be a nice day. Alice had just left her office where she worked as a part-time secretary, She was graduating at the end of the year and she was happy to be earning some extra money. She walked to the parking lot and got into her car and immediately put on the radio. The program she was listening to was interrupted with an emergency message. The announcer was talking about a sudden storm coming at about 4 PM. She knew that was a very disconcerting message. She started her car's engine and headed toward the supermarket. She also was aware if there was a storm coming there would be lots of flooding near all the dorms, She went into the supermarket and purchased lots of bottled water, fruit, bread, and peanut butter keeping in mind that the university's cafeteria might be closed due to the storm.

Alice got back into her car and drove to her dorm. She called her sister Paige to come down and help her bring her packages into their dorm room. Alice was sharing a room with her sister who was one year younger than Alice. When they both returned to the room Paige told her sister that Alice's boyfriend Larry called and he said had lots to tell her.

Paige also told her sister that Larry promised to help Paige with an essay she was having trouble with. He told Paige he would come by that evening to help her figure out parts of her writing. "I wish I had a boyfriend like you Alice. Larry is so nice and so smart and so handsome. He also loves you as anyone could tell just seeing the love in his eyes when he is with you. I do know you love him. You smile a lot when you are with him. You are so lucky to find a guy that is so special.

Alice then called Larry and they spoke on the phone for a very long time. Larry was also graduating at the end of the year. He had received a call in the morning that the job he was hoping for came through. He felt so secure and happy about his future with Alice and now the job of his dreams.

Both Larry and Alice were going to look for an apartment and together they would furnish it. They both liked antiques and they had many dates in antique shops and going to antique flea markets. Although he never had the money for an engagement ring he did give her a forever ring early in their dating. He told her many times how much he loved her and how they wished they would soon be married. They finally ended their long conversation and said they were going for a quick bite if each of the dorm's cafeterias were still open.

By 5PM the storm was roaring. Larry called to be sure Alice and her sister were okay. Alice answered the phone and Larry started to talk with a lot of excitement in his voice. He was talking very quickly so she knew he was excited about something. Alice started to ask him if his excited voice meant something positive. He was just about to answer her saying.....and that is when then the thunder bolted and the lightning streaked. All the land phones went dead as did many mobile phones that could not be charged. The electricity was out both inside and outside of the dorm. All small room refrigerators were also not working and the room floor was getting wet. Alice was mopping up the floor when the room assistant called everyone on her floor to line up and walked to the library with flashlights lit. Alice was so upset and worried about Larry, Is he okay? she wondered. Did he fall or trip in the dark. He had strained his ankle playing tennis and it still was not completely healed. Is he in pain? Did he fall or hurt himself in another way? She started to cry from fear.

Larry was also very worried about Alice. Did she fall? Did her sister hurt herself in any way? He was frantic and had no way to reach her. If only she had come to my dorm for a quick bite then we could have been together and I would worry less" he thought.

The electricity was out for three days. No phones, no computers.' no emails. and no classes. Both Larry and Alice missed each other terribly. When some of the floodings eased they put on their boots and each started walking toward one another's dorm not knowing that they decided to do that at the same time. They spotted each other at a distance and ran to one another splashing in the puddles and laughing all the way until they met and hugged and kissed.

After four days people started to get back to their normal routines. Finally phones started to ring. Larry could not wait to speak to Alice. He dialed Alice's number. There was no answer. He tried to call her a second time still no answer. Finally when she picked up the phone she told him she was doing her laundry and she was downstairs. "Thank goodness your okay. he said. "I am fine and happy and guess what. I received an email from the education department and they have approved my interview and I will be able to teach during the next term." " That is great ." "Alice I know I am excited and talking quickly but I have to ask you something I could not ask you during the storm

then he continued "My darling Alice the thunder bolted loud and clear and I could not finish my sentence. "Hear me now. Alice I am asking you to marry me this spring when we both graduate". "Larry did you know from the day I met you I wanted to marry you." " Yes, Yes I do."

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