I write this from Beige University, inside Tree. I never imagined such an occurrence could happen, so let me take the story from the beginning.
After half of my quills turned white to create a yin/yang pattern I knew I had emotional issues to deal with. I sought Tree’s input, so I left my university dorm and drove two hours through a driving rainstorm. I should’ve been paying attention to the weather reports.
Tree had also been worried about our future and, like me, saw no way of staying together without me giving up some part of my dreams. It was at that moment the evacuation order went out for the immediate area.
It was mid-afternoon, and the Wysiwyg River was rising to never-before-seen levels. Dad, Kell, Rudy and Coney were out of town, so they were okay, and our house was on high ground. Hare-Link’s equipment was stored in Tree, however, so I began moving it to Tree’s higher rooms while I listened to the news updates.
Tree told me to leave and save myself, but suddenly she went silent. That was the worst part. I was so alone, and the water was engulfing the lower floors. For the next few hours I kept carrying Fenton’s belongings to higher and higher levels. I called Dad on my cell, and they headed back to Domain as fast as they could.
Fenton flew all the way from Beige and arrived just as the flood crested. He plucked me off the high branches, and we spent the night at my family’s house. The morning revealed whole neighborhoods under water and dozens of families crowded into shelters.
My folks returned, and Dad called a tree surgeon to examine Tree. Long story short: the only way of saving her was to remove her from the loose soil and be replanted. Fortunately, Dad’s foresight led him to take out enough flood insurance to make that possible.
So here I am. While I won’t officially move in until after the wedding I anticipate spending a lot of time here helping Tree adjust to her new surroundings. When she’s better able to sustain a crowd of people inside her, we’ll have a housewarming.
This song will be featured at the party.
Next week: Dad now has to find a new place to store the Hare Link equipment!
