My Knight in -Wheel Armor

written Tuesday, June 3rd


I still remember the words that changed my view of Aaron over seven years ago: "He's a big guy. He would protect you." I don't know why I felt I needed a protector, but back then, that what I was subconsciously looking for.

All these years later, he has continued to be my protector, my support system, my rescuer. On more than one occasion, he has stepped up to the plate to take the bat from me. And in true Aaron-style, there is always an 80s-sitcom style lesson at the end. It is very humorous to think about, but there is always an ending that is very Aesop.

Friday night there were some heavy storms in our area. I'd been at work all night, and was finishing up closing in the bar when the storm arrived home. At first, it looked like a fun storm, with a lot of lightning, but nothing threatening. I stepped out on the front porch with a co-worker to share a smoke and watch the storm roll in. Having not seen any kind of weather announcement, I had no clue the severity. It was when a wave of water rode over the parking lot and splashed the two of us, smashed up against the window we still were soaked down to our skin underneath our clothes. Sean's cigarette was extinguished and his nose was dripping with rain. We threw the smokes on the ground and made a dash for the door. That's when we were met with panicked voices, "There's a tornado in Indianapolis!" "There's a semi on its side on Mount Comfort at I-70!" I rushed to get my receipts done so I could leave. The power went out, and there went that idea. I did consider leaving then and reconciling my money and receipts later, but the rain and wind were threatening and driving wouldn't be the smartest thing to do right then. There would be a greater opportunity to wreck and be stuck than normal. I called the house over and over but the power was out there, too, because there was no way the boys could hear the phone. They were equipped with a battery operated light and instructions, so I was okay about waiting a few extra minutes.

I finally got home about twenty minutes later. The rain had let up, barely, so I took the knowledge that any cops would likely be busy elsewhere, I flew home. Our entire neighborhood was still black. I left the car in the driveway (damn electric garage door openers!) and ran in the house. The boys were snuggled up on the couch, drawing pictures on a Magna Doodle and giggling. I got them prepared to go in the closet, so I ran between the front and back doors, monitoring the rain, lightning, and wind. The wind was so strong that it had my wind chimes pressed and stuck against the screen; they were silent in all that wind. In the back, the wind was blowing northeast. In the front, the smear of mulch from my flower bed indicates the wind was blowing southwest.

Down the street that comes from the front of the neighborhood up to the back of our house, I saw a spotlight slowly moving down the street. Light and Power!, I though to myself. Then I realized that it was more likely a semi tractor, because of the lights above the windshield. But in a town as small as McCordsville, you never know what type of vehicle they'll find to use, so I considered it possible. As it seemed to lock its spotlight on my house, I finally figured out that it wasn't Light and Power. It was my husband. He'd come to check on us!

The storm had been bad. There was a lot of damage in the nearby areas. Trees down, semis tipped, windows blown out of restaurants and car lots, apartments demolished, house fires...we were unhurt, other than a case of frayed nerves. Aaron brought us the light from his spotlight, which was bright enough to light up the living room for a little while, until we gave up waiting for the power to come back, and go to sleep. Aaron was back on his way, having to be in the upper East Coast in less than 36 hours. But he'd found a way to come and make sure we were okay. My knight in 18-wheeling armor.

Of course, though, he gave me a Bill Cosby-esque lecture on why I should have watched the weather report and been ready to leave work before it even hit. But that's what he's here for: to get lackadaisical me back on target. He will protect me, support me, and rescue me.