Saving Rain

by Kelsey Kingsley

We could have taken her car to the restaurant, but we decided to walk instead. I knew Ray was only a nickname, but strolling beside her, with the sun bringing light to the golden streaks in her golden-brown hair, an old, familiar tune rang through my head. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine … It reminded me of my mother, but more than that, it reminded me of her. Of Ray. Of the streaks in her hair, as bright as the rays of sunlight casting shadows over the world around us. Everyone waved to her as we passed. Everyone smiled. They looked at us with fondness, and I tried to imagine what they must’ve thought, seeing us together. What does she see in him? She could do so much better. Why would she stoop so low? But … no, maybe not. Their smiles were too genuine, too adoring. Look at them. Our little misfits, brought together by a kinder fate than what they’d been shown before. They’ll make each other better; they already have. Then, with a burst of confidence, I reached down and grabbed her hand in mine. Our difference in height made it a little awkward, but that quickly settled into something nicer as I interlaced our fingers and held tight while we continued to walk toward the restaurant. I had never held a girl’s hand like this before, and with a heart beating too loudly to notice if any of the onlookers gasped or snickered, I hoped she wouldn’t let go. Her fingers felt nice between mine; her palm, soft and small, felt good against mine. Walking alongside her, like we we...