Raining Possibility

Rain pouring from a dark sky, I stood next to the shopping carts in the grocery vestibule contemplating my options. I’d two plastic bags in hand — one held perfectly ripe bananas and fresh sweet cherries and the other, ground beef and chicken for the grill. Looks like tacos tonight I thought. I knew it was going to rain. Why didn’t I bring my umbrella into the store and why did I park so far from the entrance?

Thunder boomed and lightening flashed, adding a hint of brightness to a stormy mid-afternoon sky.

A couple of construction workers who’d just finished their shift on the grocery’s renovations headed out into the rain. They were done with work and cared little about getting wet.

I turned from the wall of windows to see if anybody else was contemplating their next move. I made eye contact with a man about my height. He sported a neatly trimmed grey beard, an orange button down shirt, cargo shorts and sandals. He’d picked up a free paper from the black metal rack he stood next to. He held it over his head as if he were trying it on for size.

He caught my eye, raised his eyebrows and extended the newspaper toward me. Did I see a twinkle?

I smiled, nodded yes, and took the Summerfest schedule from his outreached hand. We didn’t speak. Words weren’t necessary.

I ran to my truck, flip-flops splashing as newsprint absorbed the rain over my head. While backing out of my parking spot, I saw my benefactor making his way to his grey Toyota. He walked at a leisurely pace with paper over his head and got into his car and as I passed. He looked through his windshield. I gave a hearty wave and grin. He responded in kind.

I sent out a whisper of thanks for the rain, the stranger, his ingenuity and a touch of connection.

And, I got this great Summerfest itinerary to boot.

How great is that?