Unexpected ⚡
Art description: Ride the Lightning
Today's weather forecast for LA is high of 90 and low of 60 with no rainfall. Greg of the weather channel joked that in LA, it never rained in July. He further asked residents to use water carefully and cooperate with Drought Busters.
Linda remembered at the start of the month, Gov Schwarzenegger declaring drought in California. Some cities and regions started water rations. In LA, “drought busters” were patrolling residential areas and enforcing a ban on some types of outdoor water use.
So no improvement in if today's weather forecast was correct and yes, it never rains in July.
Sky was clear. She wouldn't need to search for her umbrella until months.
She fixed herself a quick breakfast with omelette, ate while reading LA times and packed some sandwiches that she could eat between appointments.
Linda reached the office early. 10 minutes early. It was a busy day despite it being the end of the month but she could leave at 5 PM today. She made plans to visit Huntington garden after 5. It was one of her favorite places in LA. Not only were the gardens calming, it had an art museum and library. She had gone through rare books the library offered. On a warm summer evening, relaxing in a botanical garden and watching the sunset was bliss.
Her office was big and designed in a way to let people feel safe. There was a cozy sofa with plenty of cushions and a folded duvet in front of a small desk. Her chair faced the door. There was a nice painting on the wall behind the sofa. Abstract Forest. She liked watching the forest. Such unreal colors. Light coming from the left made the room just the way she wanted it to be.
There was a knock on her door, a lady with grey hair was at the door with a sullen face. She was dressed up with a pearl necklace and a nice black dress. She looked as though she was coming for a funeral service. Her digital clock informed her that the first appointee was 5 minutes early. She had strategically placed a clock away from clients. Linda smiled, let her in and closed the door.
Clients come one after another. People thought she had a magic wand that she could waive and "fix" people. Little devil in front of her said something similar. "If we have to solve and sort out our feelings then why am I supposed to be here?" Linda's patience was running low after a busy day. That delinquent was trying to get on her nerves. She had enough experience to see that. He didn't fool her. Lashing out rather than becoming vulnerable was easy. Sometimes she wondered why even she tried but it was clear. The answers were present on her walls, on her photos. The ones she had helped. She was a great therapist. With years of successful practice, she had gained a good reputation. Many clients in LA were spoiled kids - whether they were 10 years old, 20 or even 60 years 'young'. Most of them were entitled brats. She was in LA after all.
But she took pro bono cases from nearby public schools who couldn't afford a therapist or psychiatrist. Because that was the right thing to do and a good use of her time.
So she listened to John. Tried connecting with him. Hopefully one day if he came regularly he could do much better. He had potential. He lived in an unsavory part of town. Naturally his school was chronically underfunded - wrong school district. Even though he was young, he earned. He had been suggested going for foster adoption but stuck with his namesake family.
She told him that it's easy to do the right thing when it's effortless, and many times it feels like we don't have any choice but I'm sure that you're clever enough to find a way.
"If you don't like to talk about your feelings then change so school wouldn't mandate you coming here."
He laughed and said I knew that you wanted to get rid of me like everyone. Maybe earn a quiet sum rather than wasting time on me.
She didn't graduate today. She was certain that it wouldn't be too long now. She found an opening to issue if she had asked, he wouldn't have denied. He was where she wanted him to be....
It was 5 PM. Her appointment was actually over but as John opened up much more than the start of their interactions, she didn't mention that. It took a long time and she didn't want to waste that if he had to leave now. She didn't have any appointments lined up next and she could leave half an hour later. Still she would wait till they reached a better point where she would feel better ending the session.
She had actively avoided gazing at the clock so John wouldn't feel like a bother. It was him who mentioned that it was 5:30 PM and he should leave. They talked for two minutes more. He left promising to come back on his next appointment.
Linda was satisfied. It was why she chose this profession. It had helped her years ago when she had to let go of something very precious. She was a wreck but knew that she couldn't raise her daughter when she was so young.
She was watching from her office window. It had a great view. Perks of being so well compensated. There was traffic even at 5:33 PM. Sky was clear and it was a peaceful sight even with traffic. It was relaxing so she would leave in a minute, rather than rushing through the door. She started gathering her things and took a last look. Moon bridge at Huntington would offer her specular view.
As she reached for the door handle abruptly, the warm sun was eclipsed by a dark duvet of clouds. That was weird. It was July. It never rains in July. It was dark outside as if it was 8 PM, not 5:34. She switched on the lights. Wind started rushing through the sky. It's good that she stayed in. She did not bring an umbrella. But again why would she?
She hoped that it wouldn't rain, but the clouds had made their decision clear with all those thunderclaps.
It started raining cats and gods. Incorrect prediction by weather channel. Her plans for Huntington are cancelled. None should drive now. She sat down in front of her window. She might as well watch the thunderstorm and wait.
On the other side of the city, Lux was starting to fill in. It was Thursday after all.
It was an uneventful day. The water rations didn't affect Lux at all. He had fulfilled Antonio's desire and made him mayor. It was quite easy to do what he did best. He reminded himself that he was better than his father and won't puppet anyone.
He had declined to help bankers from Bear Stern. They have committed fraud. He pulled some strings to have them arrested by the SEC a few days ago. Hopefully the Govt, and agencies will deal with that. It wasn't his job. Also, he was here to relax and away from his job.
If they made a mess they should clean it. His father let his children handle it. Wasn't that a great plan?
Mazikeen was looking grumpy. He made a tequila cocktail and gave it to her. She drank it in a single gulp.
He asked how Maz found LA.
She started by stating humans are so fragile and complained that there was no Hell loop. She further added that's why some humans were not miserable.
Lucifer wondered why she had decided to come with him. But never asked. Maybe he'll never ask. They were sitting on a large sofa in the penthouse. He had a small bar in the penthouse. Sadly it only stretched one wall.
It was a warm day with enough sunlight coming through big windows. He went outside on his big balcony with his whisky glass. View was nice as usual. While watching the sky he thought about what his siblings would be doing up in the silver city. He had spoken with none after his failed rebellion.
Maybe he could live here and get used to this. When he turned he saw Maz had shadowed him and saw standing beside him.
She said "It is quiet. Don't you get bored here?" He told her that he was watching the evening rush, bustling people, and the sky. They watched a flock of Hooded Orioles. It looked like a flying golden-yellow chain in the blue sky. They were magnificent.
Maz said "It's 5:30." And without looking at her Lucifer asked "So?"
Maz inquired about what he'll do next? Whether he'll sing a song today?
Lucifer was surprised so he said he wasn't planning but could sing if she wanted. She said no while looking away. Saying that she wouldn't want to listen to any songs.
So he didn't press.
Cool breeze was accompanying them as they kept on watching. Maz was quite too. It was nice.
Maybe his father heard this as the sky darkened and winds gushed at that exact moment. Clouds thundered. Whole city went dark. Lights started emerging from nearby buildings. Streets were still dark without street lights.
And like that rain started. Lucifer furthered his hand to catch drops like he did when he was still young. Fragrance of wet soil - petrichor was soothing.
Downpour intensified. Was his father going to flood the city?
But then again he and Maz won't be affected at all.
Thunder rumbled. Was he dreaming?
No, could distinctly see huge green-blue lightning as if it was directed towards himself. Mazikeen yanked him inside. Away from lightning. No, it went towards his roof. He couldn't see why and what a green-blue lightning was doing on his roof. It persisted for seconds.
And with the final rumble it vanished.
He checked the roof of the penthouse. He couldn't see any damage.
Maz cursed and said that she'll go see what happened on the roof. From his initial shock he realized that everything was engulfed in darkness.
Lighting struck the roof of Lux, knocking power out of whole city. But lights returned briefly at Lux as Lucifer was the light bringer. He too cursed his father.
Everyone saw that peculiar lightning - it was bloody green.
Was this his father telling him to go to Hell.
His father worked in mysterious ways.