Rain

• Damon Harris, Grade 10
• Short Story
• 2015

Today it rained, casting a sombre mood on life. I sit there, inside the cafe listening to the rain tap away on the roof. It casts strange shadows as it runs down the window. A shape moves through the rain,and enters my world soaked to the bone. They sit down at the table next to mine and call for a coffee. I offer them my coat and they accept, thanking me. I ask them why they were out there in the rain like that. They respond with a shrug and an embarrassed grin. I nod in understanding. We all have days like that. As their coffee arrives they discover that they left their money at home. I dig some coins out of my pocket and hand them to the barista. My sodden companion thanks me and I invite them to sit with me. Together we watch the rain fall. They begin to make apologies to leave but I tell them I'll go with them.After all, I have an umbrella. We get up, thank the barista, and escape into the world of rain. Together.