When the power went out, we sat in the hot, still air, the darkness kept at bay by oil lamps scattered throughout the house, We waited, not sure for what- The storm to end, the roof to blow off, the trees to smash our house, all of the above! We didn’t know what would happen.

I don’t think Pepper knew, either, but he didn’t like being locked in his cage. As the wind blew, he howled! The hurricane made sleep difficult, Pepper made it impossible! At last, Jackie said she would bring him into our room so he could be close to her. Pepper and I traded rooms. I had doubts that the move would shut him up, but as soon as he was in the presence of the one who loved him, the howling stopped.