Evacuation Time in Texas, Part 2

Just heard from my brother, Wally, via his work-issued Blackberry. (He's an IT specialist who's often on call.) He's packed everything and is now (8:30 p.m. Central time for him; 9:30 p.m. Eastern time for me) going out on the road from La Porte to San Antonio in a caravan with friends, a drive that on our childhood visits to our maternal grandparents' home took a bit over 4 hours, counting bathroom stops. He's driving his 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon. I hope it holds up. He told me that because of the car's age and mileage, he thought he should leave his Oldsmoboat at home rather than put a strain on the Cutlass's engine by towing it.

He's following his high school friend Yvonne and her husband, Gary, to the home of her relatives. The only being in his car with him is his dog, Rita, whom he once shared with his life partner, Jeff. Since Jeff's death nearly 2 years ago, Wally's been alone in the house that they shared, and life has been mostly about work. I for damn sure don't want him to lose his house to Hurricane Rita, because he's already lost enough. He's a sweetheart of a guy who quite often gives his friends and family members the shirt off his back.

God, please keep my brother, his dog Rita, and his house safe. And while you're at it, can you send a marryin' kind of man his way? He could use some happiness right about now. In case you've forgotten what he looks like, here he is.


Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11
Part 12 Part 13


Rita hurricane