Rain

I stand still for a moment, leaning against the door frame, my hand clenching the wood work tightly. Rain plummets down from the sky, falling to the earth in front of me with great force. I remain still; remain dry, under the cover of the small portion of roof above the door. A flash of lighting and I bite down hard on my lip. Despite the attempted restraint, my hand has a small spasm as I attempt to decide whether to put out my hand to save her from this potential threat, or remain where I am. Even if I had reached out my hand, it would have been useless to protect her; she is too far away now.1

I watch her brightly colored umbrella bob up and down slowly as she walks away, not once looking back. Well, at least as far as I can see. I unclench my jaw, giving freedom to the lip that had recently been trapped by my teeth. It tingles longingly, knowing what it is losing as we watch her walk away.2

I bite the lip again; to stop the tingling, but it only makes it worse. With a sigh I run a hand through my short hair, still watching. What am I doing letting her walk away like that? We may have had an argument, we may have disagreed, but she was leaving. Leaving the country for a year, maybe longer if she liked it. And if we part on these terms, I doubt I will even see her after that. What the hell am I doing? Letting one of the best things that has ever happened to me walk away like that?3

I take a tentative step forward, and stop, paralyzed. She is getting farther away now. The colors of her umbrella seem to be blend together due to distance and rain. I step back, more nervous now. What is it I plan to do? Run after her? Call after her? She could easily ignore me or brush me off. Am I willing to do that for her? You bet I am.4

I take a deep breath, silently praying she will hear me through the storm. This is my chance. Soon she will be too far away to hear me. The umbrella has stopped moving, she must have reached her car. It's now or never; a phone call won’t suffice later.5

"Stacy!" I call out, loud enough that the neighbors probably heard.6

I see her turn, and drop her umbrella, the pouring rain instantly soaking her. I break out into a run, and she must have too, for I don’t know how else I could have covered the distance between us so quickly. When we collide I grab her and spin, holding her tightly to my chest. I stop and she lifts her head to look at me with her huge blue-green eyes. A smile crosses her face and I feel one tugging at my lips as well.7

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't stop me," she says with a small laugh and a twinkle in her eyes that I can still see despite the dark.8

Her usually laughter is not the normal chuckle that most people have. Most would not even know it was a laugh at all. But I, I have memorized every part of her that I can, including her laugh. It's more of a quick exhale of breath through her nostrils. It doesn't sound like much, but if you know her, you know it's her laugh. And when she laughs harder, it's more of a high pitched squeaking sound. A very unconventional laugh, for a very unconventional girl.9

She looks at me curiously when I don’t respond right away. I just smile again and push back the long strands of wet hair that are plastered to her face. She reaches up and places her hand on mine. Her gentle touch raises goose bumps along my arms.10

"Oh course I would have stopped you," I reply, "I just wanted to make it more dramatic."11

She smiles at that, letting out yet another exhale of laughter. "If you wanted to make it dramatic you would have kissed me by now," she says, tilting her head to one side coyly.12

Without a moment's hesitation I pull her in and kiss her. She returns my kiss instantly, grabbing my face like we're in some sort of cheesy movie. I swear she has made me sit through some movie with a kiss like this. The sky pouring rain upon us like the end of a five year drought, both of us soaked and not caring. Well I must say, the real thing is better.13

We pull away and she steps back, smiling at me. I can tell she has something on her mind she wants to tell me. I can see her inner debate as she ponders whether to say it or not. I stand there waiting, not able to believe I won't see her for a year or longer now. It's almost unbearable.14

"Ron," she starts, seemingly having decided to say what is on her mind, "I know it's sort of like a reversal of roles. But, while I'm gone… Will you wait for me?"15

"Wait for you?" I ask, surprised that she would even ask that question.16

"It's only a year," she continues, "You don’t have to if it… bruises your masculinity or something."17

I laugh at that, I can't help it. Then I see color rising in her cheeks. She takes my laughter the wrong way. So I stop and look down at her, directly into her beautiful eyes.18

"Nothing could bruise my masculinity if I knew someone like you was holding out for me," I reply, "And I would wait for you even if you weren't doing the same for me."19

She smiles then hugs me tightly, "Well, I had better be going now."20

"Yes," I reply, "See you soon."21

I walk her back to her car, the rain still pelting us mercilessly. She picks up her umbrella and throws it in the cat before her. Once again I feel the pang of loss, knowing I will not see her for an extended period of time. But the pain is slightly quelled now. I also know that she wants me to wait, that I definitely will see her after this year.22

I reach into my pocket and press something in to her hand as she slips into her car. I shut the door behind her and smile as she examines her present. A light sparks in her eye and I know she understands the meaning of the ring I just gave her. So I turn and begin my trek up the driveway, my ears perked for the sound of her car pulling out.23

"Ron!" I hear her voice call out.24

I turn once more to see her hanging out of her car window. She waves her left hand, a sparkling ring upon her finger. A smile lights my face, she accepted.25

"I love you," she calls out.26

"I'll be waiting," I reply.27

Then slowly she pulls out of my driveway. Flicking her headlights on so she can see. I watch her go this time, my fiancé. Soon she is out of sight, though never out of mind. I smile to myself, then head back up my driveway.