One*

“Do you think we're gonna need these?” Liz asked showing Shelby a pack of frozen chicken nuggets.

“How the hell are we supposed to cook them? We're shopping for the storm, we gotta get stuff that doesn't need to be cooked so that if we lose power we can still eat.” Shelby said stopping the cart in front of Liz.

“But I really want chicken nuggets and french fries.”

“Wife; we're in a state of emergency. I think us getting supplies is a little bit more important than your want for chicken and fries.”

“I can't believe you just said that.” Liz said as Shelby laughed. “This storm probably won't even be as serious as they're claiming it will be.”

“Bitch! They're saying that it's going to be the worst that Boston has seen in over 80 years---My nana wasn't even alive 80 years ago.” Shelby said turning down isle 4.

“Shibbz, relax. We're all gonna be safe. And we're all gonna be together.”

“Liz—This is not a joke. We could really get hurt if this actually hits.”

“We've survived a hurricane before.”

“Sandy was a joke for us. But what about all the people who got hurt in Jersey and New York? They weren't so lucky. Can you just like take this seriously?” Shelby said looking back at Liz who was looking at brownie mix.

“Yeah, whatever.” She said picking it up.

“No! We need stuff that doesn't need to be cooked. I should have picked Lulu to come food shopping and sent you supply shopping with David.” Shelby said walking away from Liz.

“What do we have to get?” David asked pushing the cart after Lulu.

“Shibbz gave me a list.” Lulu replied taking it out of his pocket and showing it to him.

“Damn, she's really taking this seriously.”

“Yeah, and I don't blame her.”

“What's that supposed to mean Bruda?”

“I'm just saying she takes these warning things seriously.”

“Ain't she the same person who went out in the last hurricane we had?”

“Yeah, but things were different back then.” Lulu said stopping at the batteries.

“What's different?”

“Bruda, just drop it.” Lulu said as he grabbed 10 packs of AAA batteries, 7 packs of D batteries, and 30 packs of AA batteries.

David looked at him weirdly as he put all the batteries in the cart, but didn't comment on it. “What isle to next?”

“Blankets, pillows, and quilts.”

“Don't we got some at the crib?”

“We got the whole crew coming through, Shibbz wants us to be safe and together.”

“Damn Bruda, this chick is--”

“Being cautious!” Lulu said walking over to the blankets.

“I was just gonna say crazy.” David mumbled, too low for Lulu to hear him.

“How many pillows do you think we should grab?” Lulu asked looking back at David.

“Grab like 10 I guess.” David said as he started grabbing quilts. “What type of blankets does she want?”

“She wrote...The fuzzy ones.” Lulu said as he and David started to laugh.

“What cha cooking?” Lulu asked walking up behind Shelby, rapping his arms around her.

“Food.” Shelby said laughing. She turned around and looked up at him.

“Get a room!” Liz said, not looking over at them.

“What kind of food?”

“I'm making fried chicken, mashed potatoes, chicken rice, and I'm making you your Au Gratin potatoes. And Liz is making Discos.” Shelby said with a smile as David walked into the kitchen with an empty cup.

“I like my women in the kitchen.” He said with a wink as Lulu laughed.

“And I like my men shirtless, but it doesn't look like that's happening any time soon.” Liz said as she and Shelby laughed.

“I mean if you want me to take off my shirt I will.” Lulu said as Shelby looked into his eyes. He smiled at her as she placed her hands gently on his face.

“You better save that talk for later.” She said as his face moved closer to hers.

She quickly kissed him and then turned back to cooking. He stood there for a moment, with his arms around her waist and his head on her shoulder as she moved the chicken around in the pot of oil.

“OH MY GOD!” Liz yelled stopping what she was doing and turning to look at Shelby and Lulu. David quickly turned around with the jug of juice in his hand.

“What?” David asked as Shelby looked back at Liz.

“We don't have liquor!”

“And to think, I thought you were going to mention something important.” Shelby mumbled turning her attention back to the food.

“Shit, we don't!” David said looking at Lulu.

“Then take Liz to the store and grab a shit load of it.” Lulu said walking into the dinning room.

“Why do I have to go with her?” David asked following him.

“Cause if she goes by herself, all she'll get is Dragon Berry Bacardi. And do you really wanna be sipping on that til we make it out to the store again?” Lulu asked turning to him, from behind the bar.

David didn't say anything. He just looked at Lulu and walked back into the kitchen, leaving Lulu to pour himself a shot. “Lets go.” David said looking at Liz and walking down the hallway. “Anything you want Shibbler?” he called, not looking back.

“Hpnotic and Mango vodka.” Shelby called taking chicken out of the pot.

“Iight.” David said opening the door. Liz rushed up the hallway after him, closing the door behind herself.

Shelby looked back at the table, lost in her own thoughts. She was worried, maybe even that was an understatement. She's seen what hurricanes have done to families, to lifestyles, to whole cities. Her life was finally getting on track. She was finally somewhere that she wanted to be. She was finally—

Shelby's phone started to ring. She shock her head, and reached into her pocket. Cell phone and an unknown number. “Hello?”

“Hello. Is this Ms. Shelby Shipley?”

“Yes this is she.”

“Hello. My name is Lucas and I work for RandomHouse publishing. We have received your manuscript, and we would like to meet with you. We are aware of the state of emergence that is being held in Massachusetts. That is why we thought that we should call you and give you something to look forward to when you make it through the storm. We will give you a call back to set up a meeting, to discuss the dynamics of your novel and to talking about publishing it under our label.”

“Seriously?” Shelby couldn't help but smile.

“Yes, seriously Ms. Shipley. We want to publish your novel.”

“I can't believe this.”

“Well you should start. I tried to call your manager, but you did not send us a number for him or her.”

“That's because I don't have one.”

“Well I suggest that you find one. I would also start on writing your forward and your dedication. I hope that the storm is nothing to serious for you and your loved one and I will contact you again after the holidays.” Lucas said is a polite manner.

“Thanks Lucas. I look forward to speaking with you again.” Shelby said hanging up with a smile on her face.

“Who the fuck is Lucas?” Lulu asked walking into the kitchen and sitting at the table.

“He works for RandomHouse publishing. And they want to publish my book.” Shelby said as tears started to form in the corners of her eyes.

“Really?”

“Yeah. They want to meet with me after the holidays. They want my book.” Shelby said as Lulu walked up to her.

He wiped her tears away and looked her in the eyes. “Babe that's the best news you could have gotten.”

“I'm going to be an author.” Shelby said as Lulu kissed her forehead and pulled her into a hug.

“I am never going shopping with you again!” David yelled walking into the house.

“I'm sorry that I like to make sure that I look at the selection before I commit to which liquor I want.” Liz said as they walked into the kitchen. The stove was off and the food was finished—but it was untouched. Liz looked around the room with her head up, the back door was closed and locked. She walked into the dinner room, nothing. Peeked into the living room, lights were off and the heat stopped blowing.

“What are you looking for?” David asked walking into the living room and seeing Liz looked around.

“Shelby and Litho. They haven't eaten and they're not outside.”

“They're probably having sex.” David said sitting in the recliner by the door with a plate of food and a cup of Pepsi. He was in mid bite when they heard foot steps rushing down the stairs. Shelby slid into the living room, and looked from David to Liz.

“I finally got a call back. RandomHouse wants to publish my novel!” Shelby said excitedly.

“Really wife?” Liz asked rushing over to Shelby and giving her a hug.

“Good shit Shibbler!” David said with a mouth filled with food.

“About the book or the food?” Lulu asked from behind Shelby.

“Both!”