Saving Rain

by Kelsey Kingsley

“Harry?” My voice cracked on his name, but I didn’t think Harry had noticed because he said, “Hey! I didn’t expect you to call me so soon. How’s it going?” I wiped the snot pooling beneath my nose with the back of my frozen hand and said, “She didn’t change her tune.” “What? Soldier—” “Sh-she didn’t want me there, so I left.” “Ah, man …” He sighed, sounding so far away now. Farther than I needed him to be. “I’m sorry, son.” I sat on the side of the road, staring across at a patch of dirt. My ass was freezing, I couldn’t feel my fingers, and my teeth were chattering against the cold. But I couldn’t stop staring. I hadn’t stopped since leaving my mom’s apartment over an hour ago. “Where are you?” Harry asked. “I let him die for her,” I said as another round of tears began to soak my wind-stung face. “He’d still be alive if I hadn’t been so fucking busy saving her goddamn life.” “Soldier, tell me where you are. I’m coming, okay? Just tell me where to go, and I’ll be there.” So, I did, and he came. It had taken an hour for him to drive to me, but he had. It was more than I’d expected when I called. I could’ve walked down to the motel outside of town and gotten a room with the little bit of money in my pocket. But I had called Harry to have someone to talk to, and instead, he’d given me warmth.