will grow back fast. How’s business?”
“Booming,” Frank said. “Like this weather. That wind is wicked.”
Clarence helped himself to a cup of hot chocolate and sat down next to the window. In the background, he heard the television news announce, “A severe weather alert! A tornado warning is in effect for the Bamboo River area. Be prepared to move to a secure area.”
Clarence looked through the windows for a tornado, but it was too dark to see clearly. He watched the water moving on the glass and focused on the droplets.
“This place is very strange. Why are the water drops sliding up the window instead of falling down?” he asked.
“The wind’s pushing the drops up the glass,” Simon answered. “That’s not so strange.”
“Clarence, you should step away from the window and wait near Harley,” Frank said. “If they announce a water spout sighting, we’ll all squeeze into the safe room. This building is connected to the fire station next door through that hallway.” Frank gestured to a closet door in the shop labeled as “River Station #4”.
Clarence took one last look through the window and saw something moving in the darkness. “What’s that yellow thing in the river?”
Everyone inside the barber shop rushed to the window. They could hear, “Help! Somebody help!” The voice was coming from someone on the riverbank, and a child was in the river water, clinging to a tree branch.