The Sound of Thunder

I had a lovely afternoon yesterday, despite the gloomy skies and gathering rain clouds.

We had been promised thunderstorms and torrential rain and although we have been disappointed many times before, I was eternally optimistic, as usual.

I thought I could feel the building electricity in the air, although it could have been wishful thinking I really hoped it wasn’t.

The time went on, but I remained hopeful, scanning the skies for possible clues. So, when I heard the first distant rumble, I waited, almost holding my breath, for another confirming rumble.

“You know that’s all we ever get,” quoted my sister. She is not known for her optimism.

I just smiled.

I wasn’t in the mood for an argument, least of all about something like the weather.

The next rumble was a little louder.

“It’s just fooling you. You know this is what normally happens.”

I couldn’t detect any doubt in her voice. I just smiled.

The next rumble was loud and echoed around the house. My sister never said a word. The next rumble was more of a bang, a bang that caused all the birds in the garden to fly to a safer spot.

What happened next was one of those Hollywood movie versions of a storm, a gloriously extended series of rumbles that didn’t want to stop, so loud I couldn’t hear myself think.

“My word…,” said my sister.

And I smiled even more…

(and the rain wasn’t bad either!)