Rush before the Flood

Rush before the Flood          

Savannah noticed Charles’ sullen expression. He sat at a table alone with a bored and lifeless face. Everyone else, however, was talking and laughing. The room flooded with excitement, energy and elation from young men and women. The DJ's music was intensely loud and overwhelming the room, but no one cared because, everyone moved to the beat. It troubled Savannah  seeing Charles not enjoying the party like everybody else. She went over to the dark corner he was in and tried talking to him, but he wasn’t saying much until he said: “Hey, let’s go somewhere and talk. I really don’t want to be here.” Savannah nodded her head in agreement, but Charles couldn't see her movement because of the darkness of the room. She had to scream over the now drowning noise, that filled the room, that she wanted to go where ever he was going.  Charles and Savannah rushed out of the graduation party that had been scheduled for them and the other medical student’s months in advance. They decided to retire to a small café named Higher Grounds.

“Hey, what’s up with you? You seem different than usual.”

“Savannah, I already told you that I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. I’ve been around you for seven months now, and you never act so quiet and distant from people.”

“Well, I just didn’t feel like talking back there.”

“Oh, whatever! When we are in our study groups we can’t ever get you to shut up. “Oh, did you see this movie? Have you read this book? Guys, did you know there is symbolism all around us in real life?” Savannah giggles as she imitates Charles.

“Yeah, that’s the way you usually are. But Charles, recently and especially today at the party, you seem really isolated.”

Charles sighs. “Yeah, your right. I’ve just been thinking a lot about what I’m going to do soon.”

“What do you mean? Aren’t you going ahead with your plan to do pre-med?”

“Well, that’s the thing. I don’t want to do pre-med. I don’t want to become a doctor. It’s just not a desire in my heart. I don’t think it ever truly has been.”

“Hmm…that might be a problem, Charles. Your parents have put a lot of money into this, and a lot of people are expecting you to become a doctor. You even told me how your Dad dressed you up as a doctor for Halloween several times when you were a kid.”

“Yeah, he did. Charles spoke coldly.

“So, what does Jill think about all this?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t told her or anyone. You’re the first person I’ve felt I could tell. Besides, it wouldn’t matter if I told her anyway. She would probably just think I’m joking and laugh.”

“Oh, come on, she would not. You guys have been dating for about six years now. The two of you have always seemed pretty tight.”

“Savannah, Jill is really cool. She’s a bright girl and fun to hang out, but the more that I’ve grown and matured the more it seems she really doesn’t understand me. It’s not completely her, but I’m different from when we first met. I just want somebody that I can go deeper with, and she’s not there.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. It never seemed…”

“Yeah, I know.

“So, what is it that you want?”

“I want to write. I know it sounds crazy, but I am free when I'm writing. When I grab my pen and pierce the ink onto a fresh piece of paper I can feel an enjoyment  that I don't feel in any other work.  It’s hard to describe, but I just have a deep passion for it.” 

“Wow! I had no idea. I mean you always talked about movies and books and poetry and the arts, but I guess I never really put the two together. So how long have you been writing?”

“Yeah, I started really getting into writing my junior year of high school. Mr. Koresh, my English teacher that year, opened my eyes to what writing was really about. He explained tragedies and quests and the symbolism in stories in ways I had never heard before. Actually, at the end of junior year he gave me a really special pen that I still write with today. Mr. Koresh really inspired me to write. I usually submit my writings on the internet and stuff. I’ve won a few contests, and I usually get some good reviews.  I know I shouldn’t base my life career on that, but I feel like I need to take a chance. When I’m writing I just feel a rush of life flowing through me that I don’t get from the idea of being a doctor.”

“Wow, I love it to hear you talk this way. I can feel your passion for this. You should go for it”.

“Thanks, Savannah.”

“But just in a practical way, how are you going to make money? I don’t think your father is going to give you any support with you trying to become a writer.”

“Yeah, I know. But I already have that piece of it planned out. I asked my uncle who lives in Iowa if I could work for him on his corn farm.”

“So you're going to leave your family and friends to go plough fields and plant corn in the middle of no where Iowa?”

“Yeah, I am. I think I need a new start, and I just feel like this is it."

“Well, I reckon you better. And I do declare I will come down to Iowa to see you!”

Savannah says in the most "country bumpkin" way that she can.

Charles smiles at Savannah.

“Well, thanks a lot for talking and listening to me. It means a lot. I don’t know who else I would have told this too.”

“Do you mean that?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Well yeah, any time. I love talking with you too, and I’m glad you’re doing this. You really are becoming your own man.”

“Really? You think I’m doing the right thing?”

“Yes, I do.”

Savannah and Charles begin walking out the door of the café. As they leave, Charles gently took Savannah with his right hand. She turns around without saying anything. Charles fixes his gaze on Savannah’s beautiful ocean eyes for a moment. Then, almost instinctively as if they both knew what the other was thinking, they gently kiss. Holding hands, Charles opens the door, and together they rush out the café and into a christening rain.