Personal Narrative: The Brick House

The night of May 25, 2011, is a night that will vividly remain in the forefront of my memories. Myself, Junior, my husband and Mini Pearl our little Chihuahua, were living in Clarksville, on Rogers Avenue, in a spacious old brick home with our friend John “Doc” Strange, his daughter Kristen and his little dog Mischief. The brick house was built in the early 1900’s.

Throughout the day and early evening threats of tornadic activity in our area was causing apprehension, trepidation and anxiety in our home. We were watching the weather channel on the television when the tornado watch went out for our area. We would all go to the front porch while it was still daytime and look at the sky for the menacing signs of a tornado; the sky looked ominous

Kristen was in our doorway, her face white and pale; her eyes were wide and full of fear. Doc was already in his room with Mischief. The three of us headed for the safe room, no one said a single word until we got to the room. As Doc closed the door and reached for the lock, I started to cry as the realization that Mini Pearl was not in the room. Doc opened the door, and Mini Pearl ran into the room. Junior picked her up and handed her to me, she was shaking and scared. Doc closed the door again, then locked us

It was a tornado. The rumbling was wrapped with shrieking, swooshing and a roaring sound, with the sound of debris striking the house. The pressure on my ears and chest was almost unbearable. My ears pounded, my chest felt empty of breath and as though it was being squeezed in a vice. Time seemed to stand still; then all of a sudden there was total silence. The tornado had passed.

The silence enveloped the room, creating an eerie atmosphere. Then everyone sighed practically all once; relief that it was over. The electricity was knocked out in the midst of the tornado. Doc and Junior had the foresight to gather a pair of flashlights, for that very reason. Doc unlocked the door, then he and Junior went out and looked the house over for damage. Doc and Junior were only outside for a few minutes. The house was sound and not structurally damaged; we could leave the safe room. We all went to the front porch. As we stood there we listened, there was no sound; no dogs barking, crickets chirping, and no sounds from vehicles; it was terrifying. Doc and Junior decided to go check on the neighbors, Junior gave us his flashlight. While they were gone, Kristen and I found a two candles and we lit each one placing one in the kitchen and the other in the living room. Junior and Doc returned from the neighbors’ house, and informed us the neighbors were stunned, but