People i Met in the Rain

There was the preacher's boy, whose very words seemed rich with compassion and understanding– for advice on how to best stay dry, he had none. What he did instead was ask if I wanted to join him and his other sons of Jesus. While others may have found his suggestion an insulting attempt at recruitment, he was apologetic, and I said there was no need: I felt whole, and welcomed.

I declined.

My friend from childhood, the silent clown, came looking for me. He performed for me, without makeup or costume. Not performing at all, actually. He acted on his heart; he kept me awake with his festive shadow puppets, his fingers black and huge on the wall. He made an elephant, and it was cute, but I cried. So he made a bunny, which admittedly made me smile. Then we talked about when we were just little kids.

Things were funnier then.

A raven came to my window only at nighttime, and she cocked her head at the sight: Coke cans askew, Skittle wrappers everywhere, old photos and old lives. I quietly spoke out of the darkness, struggling to be heard over the rain. I babbled about the cracks in my face. She rustled her feathers. Kindly, she offered to take me back to her nest, where I would be loved by my new family.

I declined.

Miss Safari was just around the corner, so hidden in the bushes I hardly spotted her. "Ah," I said, "someone to share my problems with!" and yes, she laughed that guiltless laugh, dripping with honey. I chose my words with her carefully. I reminded myself that Miss Safari once killed all the animals and she could do it again. If I got too close. She told me I looked tired. I knew.

There were mirrors everywhere I looked.

The rain simmered down after a long while, a cool mist taking its place, binding me here, tiny drops of water suspended in air... and out of the mist, a smooth, slender hand appeared in front of me, fingers outstretched, asking for someone to hold it. There was an elephant ring on her ring finger. I had been waiting. This is where we said we'd meet. I saw that her hand was worn and wet.

I accepted.