"Mike, is it really okay for mom and dad to be like that?" Missy asked, looking at the scene in the kitchen.
It had been a week since Georgie's father had heart problems.
Today was the day he was discharged after his observation period ended.
According to the hospital, George's heart problem was basically under control, and he would be able to live like a normal person with medication.
To celebrate the good news, George and his wife invited Mike, who had helped them a lot before, to a big dinner at their home.
At this moment, the couple was preparing the big dinner in the kitchen.
One cooked, and the other assisted from the side, looking very harmonious. However, there was a subtle hint of "politeness" in their interaction.
They didn't seem like an old couple who had lived together for many years.
It seemed that George's "affair" and Mary's "throwing herself into his arms" still cast a shadow in their hearts.
The sensitive Missy was the one who noticed this.
"Don't worry, George and Mary are just in a 'special period' right now. I believe it won't be long before things return to normal," Mike replied, unfazed.
Again, George and Mary's personalities were very compatible, and it was only a matter of time before they reconciled.
"The adult world is really complicated," Missy shook her head, indicating her confusion.
However, seeing that her parents were no longer arguing, her worries were greatly reduced.
"Hey, what are you two talking about?" At this moment, Connie, who had come for dinner, walked into the living room with Paige.
Then, without waiting for Mike and the other to answer, she continued on her own, "Did you read today's newspaper? It says that due to 'greenhouse effect' and 'cold wave' or something, a strong wind is about to enter."
Mike then realized that Connie was holding a newspaper.
In the news section below, there was a small notice, indicating that a strong wind was blowing from the coast of Mexico, and the first to be affected were the border states of Hawaii, Texas, and Louisiana.
At the same time, the newspaper also specifically reminded residents of these states to pay attention to strong wind warnings and prevention.
"It's better to believe it than not to believe it. I think this news is worth taking seriously." Just like the last heavy rain warning, Mike's [Weather Prediction] ability also gave a warning this time.
It was just that the feeling was very vague, and Mike was a little unsure.
"Are you talking about the strong wind from Mexico? I heard that strong wind caused a lot of property damage locally..." Georgie walked in, supporting Mandy.
Compared to a few days ago, Georgie, who had a new life goal, looked much more energetic.
Mandy, whose belly was getting bigger, also had a happy expression on her face.
"This is nature's punishment." In the corner of the sofa, Sheldon, who was studying physics, immediately joined the discussion: "The carbon dioxide emitted by factories has severely damaged the ozone layer, causing the greenhouse effect and melting the glaciers in the North and South Poles. This is a global disaster—"
With the rapid development of America's industry, environmentalism had already begun to emerge.
Sheldon, who cared about human affairs, was obviously affected by this.
"I know, I know. My science teacher said in class that cow farts destroy the environment..." Missy, who liked to join in the fun, immediately chimed in.
"No, cow farts, like human farts, do not cause environmental damage. Therefore, cows are innocent," Sheldon couldn't help but refute Missy.
Then, in their heated discussion, the topic veered from "strong wind warning" to "poop, pee, and farts."
"Alright, kids, Connie. Dinner's ready—"
Mary's call from the dining room interrupted Sheldon and Missy's "cow fart" problem.
However, this strong wind was indeed as Sheldon said, a global disaster.
In the following days, newspapers continued to report strong wind warnings. In the most severe instance, the strong wind warning even made the front page.
However, Texas, currently in the transition between spring and summer, was sunny and filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, so the strong wind warning did not receive enough attention from residents.
But, what was bound to come would eventually come.
Before school ended that day, the school specifically gathered all teachers and students to issue a notice: To prevent the upcoming strong wind, the school would have a special one-week holiday.
Clearly, the newly appointed Principal Tim seemed to have received inside information.
And so, the students, amidst cheers and laughter, welcomed their "short holiday."
"Mike, do you think the strong wind will really come?" Looking at the clear weather, Lina was already thinking about how to play with Mike during the coming week.
Of course, the recent continuous "strong wind warnings" had made the girl a little worried.
"It's always right to be careful..." Mike's bad premonition had also been getting stronger recently.
And just as he was speaking, that bad premonition suddenly intensified a hundredfold.
Mike quickly stretched out his hand and felt a gentle breeze passing through his fingertips, bringing with it a hint of coolness.
"The strong wind should be coming soon, and its intensity won't be low," Mike said with a serious expression: "To ensure safety, Lina, you come with me to Mia's villa to take shelter."
In just a moment, the gentle breeze turned into a light wind. Low pressure appeared, and the sky gradually darkened.
Everything indicated that a strong storm was brewing.
"My, my parents are still at home, I want to stay with them." In her panic, Lina made her choice.
"Keep in touch, remember to call me if anything happens." The situation was sudden, and Mike didn't act coy.
After watching the girl drive away, Mike turned to Mia and Paige beside him and said, "You two go to Amy's car and wait for me. I'll go find George, and then we'll all go to the villa together."
The Cooper family and Connie's homes were both independent log cabins, and in terms of risk resistance, they were clearly no match for Mia's large villa.
So, just in case, Mike planned to take Cooper and Connie to Mia's house to take shelter from the wind.
At this time, the students on campus, who were originally leisurely celebrating their "short holiday," also felt the change in the weather and rushed out of the school gate one by one.
Mike went against the crowd and finally found the weak George's father and the bewildered Sheldon at the edge.
This old and weak combination appeared very disheveled in this sudden situation.
"George, you go pick up Missy, and we'll meet at Mia's villa later. You know where the villa is, right?" After escorting George and his son to the school parking lot, Mike said loudly.
At this time, the outdoor wind force had reached about level five, the branches were whistling, and there was a light drizzle.
"The big villa in the suburbs, I can find it." George's father also knew that now was not the time to hesitate, and instructed: "I'll leave Sheldon to your care, I'm going to pick up Missy now—"
By the time Mike escorted Sheldon and got into Amy's extended Lincoln, the sky outside had completely darkened, and the temperature was rapidly dropping.
From the looks of it, the weather warning in the newspaper was not wrong.
This was an unprecedented climate disaster.
"Georgie, where are you?" While the Lincoln was on its way to the villa, Mike called Georgie.
With Mike's financial support, Georgie had already opened a small car repair shop in town that integrated car washing, tire repair, parts replacement, and other services.
"I'm rushing home. This damn weather is killing me, I can barely see the road..." Accompanied by the howling wind, Georgie's complaint came over the phone.
"Listen to me, this strong wind is not simple, and the house at home may not be safe, so I want you to go back and pick up Connie and them and bring them to Mia's villa." Mike quickly finished explaining the plan, then asked: "Do you know where the villa I'm talking about is?"
"I know, the big villa in the suburbs." Georgie said reliably: "I'll bring Meemaw and them over later."
Amidst the howling gusts, the outdoor wind force had already exceeded level six, and frozen rain was falling in strings from the sky, causing a layer of mist to rise on the car windows.