The Climb | Episode 7: The Storm
The rain pounds harder against the windows.
Then...
CRACK!
A tree limb snaps outside and crashes into the parking lot.
Several people instinctively jump.
Within seconds, hail begins slamming against the glass.
Golf ball-sized chunks of ice bounce across the pavement.
The television screens flash again.
TORNADO WARNING
TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY
Kelly instinctively reaches for her phone.
Angela.
No answer.
She tries Darren.
No answer.
She exhales and slips the phone back into her pocket.
There wasn't time to keep trying.
"Alright everyone," Kelly calls out, keeping her voice calm. "Let's head to the stairwell."
Her remaining team quickly follows.
No panic.
Just urgency.
They file into the emergency stairwell as the building moves into tornado protocol.
The heavy fire doors close behind them.
For a moment...
Everything is strangely quiet.
Then the wind begins to howl.
The sound echoes through the concrete walls.
A few employees look visibly nervous.
Someone quietly whispers a prayer.
The lights flicker once.
Then twice.
A few gasps fill the stairwell.
Seconds later the emergency generators start humming and the lights stabilize.
Kelly smiles reassuringly.
"We're okay."
Even though...
She wasn't entirely sure she believed it herself.
Time seems to stand still.
Minutes pass.
The concrete stairwell grows colder.
Kelly wraps her arms around herself.
She had left her blazer hanging on the back of her chair.
A chill runs through her.
Suddenly...
She feels something gently settle across her shoulders.
She looks up.
Ronnie is standing beside her.
"You looked like you could use a little covering."
Kelly smiles as she pulls the jacket closer.
"I could."
Ronnie smiles back.
"I always have to look out for my girl."
Kelly can't help but laugh.
"Thank you."
"Seriously."
"You're welcome."
For the first time since the sirens began...
The storm doesn't seem nearly as loud.
Around thirty minutes later...
The all clear is finally given.
People slowly begin making their way back toward the operations floor.
Kelly's phone immediately begins buzzing.
It’s Angela.
She answers.
"Where are you?"
"I'm okay," Kelly says.
"I was looking for you."
Angela laughs.
"Darren's here too."
Kelly hears him on speaker.
"We both made it over to Angie’s before everything hit."
Kelly smiles.
"I've been trying to call you both."
"Neither of us could get service.”
Darren explains.
"I figured."
The three laugh with relief.
"Darren just tricked me in to making this lasagna, so I’m going to get off here.”
Darren explored into laughter.
“No one tricked you... Now add more cheese.”
Angela chuckles
“We’re gone. See you tomorrow.”
“Text us when you make it home.” Darren insisted.
"I will."
Kelly hangs up.
Ronnie is waiting nearby.
"I'll walk you to your car."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
"But I want to."
The two walk through the damp parking lot together.
The air smells like fresh rain and broken pine.
They talk about the storm.
Work.
Old memories.
Things they hadn't thought about in years.
They laugh.
A lot.
When they finally reach Kelly's car...
Neither of them seems ready for the conversation to end.
Ronnie smiles.
"So..."
"Terrific tacos tomorrow?"
Kelly grins.
"I wouldn't miss it."
They hug.
It lingers just long enough to become slightly awkward.
Ronnie steps back smiling.
"See you tomorrow."
Kelly smiles.
"It's a date."
The words escape before she can stop them.
Her eyes widen.
"I mean..."
She laughs nervously.
"Sure thing."
Ronnie chuckles.
"I knew what you meant."
Kelly watches him walk away before climbing into her car.
She can't stop smiling the entire drive home.
The next morning Kelly walks into Barry's office carrying a stack of manual reports.
She knocks lightly.
Barry motions her in without looking up.
He has his cell phone pressed against his ear.
"I know."
A pause.
"No..."
"I said we'll talk about it later."
Another pause.
"I've got to go."
He ends the call with more force than necessary and rubs his forehead.
Kelly hesitates.
"Everything okay?"
Barry immediately straightens his posture.
"Yeah."
"It's fine."
Kelly isn't convinced.
Still, she places the reports on his desk.
Before either of them can say another word...
Two senior managers appear in the doorway.
"Barry, you got a minute?"
Barry nods.
"Sure."
Then he looks back at Kelly.
"Let me touch base with you later."
"No problem."
Kelly leaves the office.
She has barely stepped into the hallway when Darren catches up with her.
"I found a mentor."
Kelly smiles.
"That's so awesome."
"We've already met with my manager."
"We've got a pretty strong plan to really improve my performance and get me off this PIP."
Kelly beams.
"Yes, that’s what I’m talking about."
"And I also..."
Darren suddenly stops talking.
He glances down the hallway.
"I'll tell you the last part later."
Before Kelly can ask why...
He abruptly changes direction.
Kelly watches him leave.
"...Okay."
Less than a minute later...
A young woman she doesn't recognize walks up.
"Hey."
"Have you seen Darren?"
Kelly nods.
"Yeah, he was just..."
Before Kelly can finish...
The young woman smiles.
"If you see him again..."
"Tell him Simone asked about him."
She walks away just as quickly as she appeared.
Kelly quietly mutters to herself.
"Okay..."
Back on the floor, Georgia approaches Kelly's desk.
Georgia is one of those people everyone enjoys being around.
Quiet.
Kind.
Always willing to help.
"Kelly..."
"Can we talk?"
"Of course."
The two step into an empty conference room.
They sit down.
Georgia nervously twists her wedding ring.
"You remember Stan and I have been trying for another baby?"
Kelly smiles.
"Of course."
"And don't forget..."
"I'm already signed up for Auntie Kelly duty."
Georgia laughs softly.
"Just like you were with Cameron."
Kelly grins.
"Absolutely."
The smile slowly disappears from Georgia's face.
Kelly immediately notices.
"Georgia..."
"What going on?"
Georgia lowers her eyes.
"It happened again."
Kelly's smile fades.
"What happened?"
Georgia takes a long breath.
"This is the third one."
Silence fills the room.
"Our third miscarriage."
Kelly immediately moves beside her and wraps her in a hug.
"Oh, Georgia..."
"I had no idea."
Georgia begins crying.
"I've been trying so hard to keep it together."
"To hide the grief."
"Hide the disappointment."
She wipes away another tear.
"Even hide the shame."
She shakes her head.
"I'm just tired of hiding."
Kelly doesn't rush to fill the silence.
She simply listens.
When Georgia finally speaks again...
"I think I need to take a leave."
"I need time to get my mental well-being back."
Kelly nods without hesitation.
"You have my full support."
"Take all the time you need."
The two hug once more before quietly leaving the conference room.
As Kelly walks down the hallway, her thoughts race.
She fully supports Georgia's decision.
She genuinely believes it's what Georgia needs.
Her team is already short staffed.
Georgia is one of their strongest performers.
How would they cover the workload?
Would another team be able to help?
She needed to talk with Barry.
"You about ready?"
Kelly turns.
Ronnie is standing behind her with a smile.
For a brief moment...
She had completely forgotten about lunch.
She laughs.
"I'll be ready in just a minute."
"I just need to stop by Barry's office first."
As Kelly walks down the hallway, Jordan passes by carrying an envelope.
Kelly smiles.
"You smell nice."
Jordan laughs.
"Thanks."
"It's this new perfume called I Caught Ya."
Kelly smiles.
"I like it."
Jordan continues down the hallway.
Kelly knocks on Barry's office door.
The door is already cracked open.
Barry is sitting at his desk with his phone pressed against his ear again.
This time...
He doesn't say a word.
He just listens.
Kelly quietly motions that she'll come back later.
Barry nods barely looking up.
As Kelly turns to leave...
Something catches her eye.
Barry's wedding ring is sitting in a small tray on the corner of his desk.
Not on his hand.
She pauses for just a second.
Then...
She notices something else.
A familiar fragrance lingers in the office.
Oh boy…that’s
"I Caught Ya."
