The second time it came through, the voice became unmistakable. It was the hearty growl of my father when he was upset.

I froze in the moment and just started at the black and dead screen of the radio console of my car. It wasn’t on, but I still heard my father’s voice again.

“You left the trunk open.”

My father’s words snapped me to attention.

“What?” I shot back.

My father’s voice came back this time with ear-splitting volume and authority this time.

“YOU LEFT THE TRUNK OPEN AND YOUR BACKSEAT CAN BE OPENED FROM THE TRUNK SIDE.”

My eyes snapped open. I was still in the car with the only sound around me still the rolling wind breezing over the top of the car. I kept my eyes on the radio console for a few moments and saw no signs of life.

The whole thing was a dream I must have had in the car. How long had I been out?

I pondered the question and prayed I had maybe made it to the morning light and that maybe the storm had calmed.