Ilari’s phone rings and it takes a while for him to answer it.
– Hey sweetie, he says. There's no reply. He hears quickened breathing and whimper. – Venla?
– Thunder, she manages to say and tries to suffocate a cry.
Dang. Ilari had almost completely forgot Venla’s phobia. The dark side of summer. Venla is so terrified she can hardly speak. Ilari takes a deep breath and sits down.
– It’s okay. It’s ok to be scared, but it's going to be fine. Have you took your medicine?
– Mmh, Venla makes confirming sound.
– Ok. Good. When?
– S-some time ago.
– Right. It’s going to start to kick in soon. We can talk till you feel better.
– O-okay, Venla sobs.
– You have Lucky there. Is he worried?
– Yes.
– He’s probably worried about you. Now go to him and Err.. hug him if it would make you feel better?
– Ok, Venla's faint voice whimpers.
Ilari hears Lucky’s panting thru the line so she must have done as she was told.
– We need to start to check weather reports again, Ilari says and check weather forecast in Helsinki. – How do you feel now?
– Little better.
– Good. It’s just a short period of thunder. It goes away soon. Just hang in there.
– I got so scared!
– I know. I know, sweetie. Ilari sighs. – I’m sorry I’m not there to help you. He pauses and continues after thinking. – You can take Lucky to bed if it helps you. He hears Venla chuckle thru her tears.
– You must really love me, she says more clearly.
– I do. But change the sheets.
- It’s almost passed now, Ilari checks the weather again. – Yes, go to sleep now. You sound exhausted and if you feel like that again, call me. No. You can call in middle of night. Mm. Love you too. He ends the call and takes a long sigh.
- What was that? Iiro asks.
– Thunder in Helsinki, Ilari summarize it.
– And that’s an issue cause…?
Ilari stares his brother for a moment.
– Venla is scared to death of thunder.
– Um. Ok?
– You didn’t know?
– No, Iiro frowns. – Why?
Ilari gives him another long look.
– The crash where she got injured and killed her parents happened in thunder storm. It’s old trauma.
– Oh! Ok. That explains, Iiro rubs his neck.
– So I need to get her tomorrow. I don’t feel good to leave her there scared. Want to tag along?
- That’s a long drive.
– Be company for me? She will sleep it thru.
– Like someone would sleep just like that? Iiro shakes his head in disbelief.
– Trust me. It’s like turning power off. Ilari chuckles.
- You are pulling my leg.
- Nope. Engine starts and she's done in ten minutes.
- Looks like I don’t know her at all. Iiro feels little overwhelmed.
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