Stormy weather has come to stay. We folks in Little Egypt are in danger most of the time. When I was young, my elders called our geographical location Tornado Alley. I felt like one of the pins. I am about storms as Jerry Seinfeld described P.E. in high school. He mentioned the normalcy of classes such as English and Mathematics, and then the ‘Other World’ of P.E., you returned to Social Studies and Science. Such are storms for me. Life is full of plans, schemes, and dreams until devastation comes from the sky.

Life and death go hand in hand. Both talk like old friends, knowing each other well.

‘How about a latte?’ Death asks. ‘I tell you Common Grounds has the best pour over coffee I have drank, it is rich and complex…kind of like your Life,’ Death said with his wide smile. ‘I have observed that you have many friends,’ Death said. ‘I did have a lot of friends, but you know that…from before,’ Death commented. ‘Yes, my vocation was more to my liking; however, my current job has benefits,’ Death said. ‘Kids liked me in those days and their parents greeted me warmly,’ Mr. Death said. ‘I brought joyous events and happy times,’ Mr. Death reminisced. ‘I received a lot of Christmas presents and I wintered in Florida,’ Mr. Death smiled to himself. ‘I loved walking the beach and watching the Ocean,’ MD remembered. ‘People asked for my autograph and to take selfies with me,’ MD laughed. ‘Now they grimace when they see the images,’ MD noted.

‘You did important work…I should know,’ Larry Life said. ‘I hear every day of your good nature and how you were there when someone needed you,’ Larry Life continued. ‘I have a T-shirt with your picture on it and I wear it all the time,’ LL said with a wink. ‘You know my job now is subject to much goodwill as people understand me, and you are a mystery,’ LL observed. ‘Too much science fiction and ghost stories rather than the truth,’ LL assured. ‘Mr. Death, you are the most profound of mysteries, while I am what is expected, even if I am basically unknown,’ LL laughed. ‘I have a choice seat in the front at bar mitzvahs and christenings,’ LL grinned. ‘Sometimes my opinions on kids’ names are asked,’ LL said. ‘This pour-over coffee is the best I have had,’ LL proclaimed. ‘We must do this weekly,’ LL said to Mr. Death. ‘It will be good for both of us,’ LL guffawed.

‘Did you bring the matches?’ Mr. Death asked. ‘It is time for the new performance,’ Mr. Death said.

Both Mr. Death and Larry Life lit a kitchen match and displayed it for the other to see with gleams of delight in their eyes. Mr. Death’s match burned out first, and thus for the next theatrical performance, he would be Larry Life and Larry would play the role of Mr. Death…