A Watery Blessing

When I am 90 years old what stories and scars will my wrinkles bare?


My boyfriend and I ventured out into the freezing rain to the local CVS for a needless pack of cigarettes. Although needless, the addiction was strong enough to lead us a little too far down the street in this raging weather. We decided to take the car to solve our woes but she was was equally unenthused about the trip in the cold. In my delighted packing haste, I forgotten all proper attire for such weather in central Pennsylvania. While shuttering, my chapped hands teetering at the edge of the frozen steering wheel, I tried to coerce the cold car into zooming down Market Street. I was so busy whining about my own goosebumps that I nearly missed him. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a huge black mass waddling down the empty sidewalk. No one was venturing out of their homes at this moment, but it still felt like silence peered from their windows staring and doing nothing.

We continued into CVS, the trip quick and gratefully warm. The rain had begun to pick up and we went outside to smoke the first of the pack. I stood and silently watched the waddling figure. Trash bags and a  bottle of green liquid, black rain boots and a worn face walking directly into the blistering breeze. Where was he going?

We crossed the street and made the decision to offer him a ride.

Not thinking too much of the rain or cold or wind anymore, we approached him. he smiled and accepted. Before piling his bags upon bags into every nook and crannie of my yellow vw clown car he asked permission for his life, his stuff, to touch mine. He was wary of sitting on my seats and the friction between the garbage bags on the cloth interior. No hesitation. All was well. I was nervous tucking my belongings underneath seats for fear of his clefto hands. Not to worry, little bird. The car tinkered to a start and we drove a meer five minutes to his destination on the side of the road. He chattered about his hobby of roaming and a warm cave awaiting him on this eve of the hurricane. He was remarkably beautiful. He told me the last time people have done things like this was the children of the flowers. I am one of them.

We quickly unpacked the car off the side of the road and before we could jump back in he stopped and held our hands. He said a prayer for our kindness. Our gift to him. We released hot tears along with the freezing droplets. Got back in the tinker toy and drove unaware of the sopping seats.  

Blessed be these days. This love.