"Man what the fuck were you doing out there. Don't you know there's a storm?"

Keith thought, that's exactly why I'm out. Preparing of course. But could sense Max viewed the storm differently.

"I got unlucky. Was out taking care of errands. Storm happened while I was at the store."

Keith was thinking about the ice. He would need to leave soon. Otherwise he'd have three bags of water.

Inside people were strangely close. Talking in hushed tones. Keith always associated this place with loud music. Lights hanging from the ceiling onto the food. This was a different perspective. Kind of like seeing your dad sleeping for the first time. Expecting him to awake at any moment. Thinking he might be able to see through closed eyes. That he was playing with you. Pretending to be sleeping. He would wake up any time now. Pee kah boo!

"You want some coffee? It's still kind of warm."

Keith rubbed his chin and tilted his head. That would signal to Max that he had considered it.

"Maybe next time. Thanks."

Max met his eyes. Keith saw discomfort. If he didn't have the ice he would accept the gesture.

"I need to get back and make sure my apartment is okay."

Max nodded. Looked more comfortable as the details arrived.

"Plus, I actually got some ice in the car."

"Ice... now that's a good idea. Do you really think this is going to last that long?"

Keith didn't know. Instead he said, "who knows. I'm just the careful type. Don't let my paranoia get to you. It'll probably be fine."

Max nodded. His eyes stared off elsewhere. The gears of his mind were cranking.

"Say, Max. Why don't we trade numbers?"

Max's eyes returned to Keith's.

"You know? Just in case. The phones are still working. So that's good."

"Good idea." Max took out his phone. "Fuck. I really wish I had a full charge right now."

"Are you going to stay here?"

"My shift technically just started."

Back in the car, Keith stared up into the sky. The 

wind

was thick. Things were beginning to toss around. There wasn't large debris flying around actively where you could see them in motion. But he could see the result of previous movement. Branches fallen off and laying across grass and the sidewalk. He drove home. He wouldn't feel safe there, but where else could he go? There were too many people at the diner. It would be unsafe there if the 

blackout

sustained.

The entire drive he had one hand caressing his dad's pocket knife,