Extraordinary by Amanda McGee Page A

appreciate my meal to be edible.”
    “Where is that positive outlook? If you can read and follow directions, you can cook. Plus, its just spaghetti, you can’t really mess it up.”
    With a grunt, she slid off her stool and tied her hair back into a tiny, messy bun that curled up at the base of her hairline with an elastic band she kept on her wrist at all times. A thin, black elastic was about as close to jewelry as I was willing to go. We both sported hair ties on our wrists. It was an odd trait to share especially since my hair was long and thick and often annoyed me and Sadie's was much shorter and tidier. I supposed we all were capable of hair emergencies.
    “All right, where do I start?”
    In no time at all the hamburger was sizzling in the pan, the noodles were boiling, and the garlic bread was golden brown. Sadie's self-doubt had vanished around the time her bread buttering skills were solidified, thereby confirming my teaching abilities. Before us sat a beautifully cooked meal that smelled as appetizing as it looked.
    “It’s not burned!” Sadie said. “It really looks great!”
    Her animated hand gestures tipped over a glass of sweet tea sending ice cubes sliding across the countertop and sticky sweet liquid dripping onto the floor. Even this did not sway her happy moment. Her excitement was contagious and I was equally pleased about accomplishing our task.
    “See you can boil noodles,” I said. “You’re evolving.”
    In that moment, I wondered if Mom could see us—her daughters, together, sitting down to enjoy a meal that we prepared ourselves. Although the reasons for our separation were still hard to fathom, I knew Mom would have given anything to share the moment with us.
    After our meal, Sadie nominated herself to wash the dishes. I was not the least bit disappointed. I hated washing dishes and was looking forward to a long, hot bath. With all the commotion, I was thankful I managed to find time to shower at all.
    “If you’re sure you don’t need—“ I saw the bright flashes began. I lunged for the stair rail but collapsed before my hands could reach it. Gripping my head, I rolled side-to-side wishing the ride to end.
    I could sense Sadie nearby but I could not see or hear her. In frustrated anger, I slammed each hand onto the floor and lay still. The images immediately became one decipherable vision and then vanished.
    I had done it. I had controlled the madness.
    I recalled the terror and alarming message of the premonition and my celebration ended. Just as before the scene hid behind a brilliant light but the emotions involved were palpable. Fury and terror encircled me. Sounds of destruction played like perfectly timed background music. Something was coming and it was full of rage.
    “We aren’t safe here,” I said.
    Sadie was kneeling next to me with a look of pure elation that I was once again conscious. I watched her relief fade to fear as she comprehended my words.
    “Why aren’t we safe?”
    “We have to go now,” I said, scrambling to get to my feet.
    “Go where? What is happening?”
    “I don’t know, something is coming.”
    “Alex, what did you see? You are scaring me.”
    The panic in her voice mimicked the panic flooding my body. Every inch of my being was screaming to run but my comprehension was scatterbrained and the floor felt like quicksand. Sadie’s bony knees trembled as she waited for further instruction, yet I could provide no assistance. The two of us paced at the foot of the staircase like two insects trapped inside a jar.
    “I don’t know what is coming. I couldn’t see anything I just felt it. It was bad, Sadie.”
    “Then let’s go! Why are we just standing here?”
    The sound of water splashing to the floor was just the reality check I needed to snap out of my trance. Sadie ran into the kitchen as the dishwater overflowed from the sink and onto the floor in a wave of soap bubbles.
    “Where are my keys?” I yelled. “Where did I leave