Saving Rain

by Kelsey Kingsley

“Soldier? Soldier, wake up, sunshine.” My eyelids opened a crack to see Mom kneeling beside my bed and humming her sunshine song. She was crying, but she was also smiling, and in her hand, she held a cupcake with one lit candle standing in the center. “You didn't think I'd let you go to bed without singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ did you?” I sat up slowly, rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and asked, “Why did you fight with Gramma and Grampa?” She sighed and shook her head. “Because I screwed up again, baby. I … I have to get a new job, and I had a headache and took something I shouldn't have to make it better. The Bad Stuff, you know. But I'm gonna clean myself up, okay? I promised them I would, and I'm promising you too. Everything's going to get better.” She always promised. But unlike Gramma’s and Grampa’s, Mom’s promises broke easily. “Okay, Mom.” “Now”—she checked her watch and smiled—“it's eleven eleven, baby. You changed my life at this time eight years ago. I told you then you were gonna save me, and I still believe that. I really, really do. You're gonna save me, right, baby?” I didn't know what she was talking about. I was only eight years old. I was just a kid, and I wasn’t Superman. How was I supposed to save anybody? What did she mean? But I didn't bother asking because, sometimes, it was better to just let her talk, so I did. “Sure, Mom.” “Now, make a wish, sunshine. Make it a good one, okay?” So, I squeezed my eyes shut, made a wish that this promise wouldn’t break,...