Jonathan
Rain poured down all week, with no end in sight. I am used to being able to walk almost every day, though the weather in my country is generally gloomy and wet, and I felt the restless legs setting in. You could say we are used to this kind of weather, but even my fellow countrymen and I drew the line at the Olympic swimming pool that was created in our backyard.
Eying the never-ending rain, I realized I might sooner lose my marbles than be able to go outside and stay relatively dry. A friend invited me to go watch a gig in a bar by a friend of their friend, taking place that night in town. They sent me a link to the bands' Spotify playlist with exactly four songs to persuade me to join. I played a few while sitting at the kitchen table when I suddenly heard my partner call "Can somebody please put this guy out of his droning misery?". Holding back a snort, I started to type a message to kindly refuse when I stopped in my tracks. 'Why the heck not?' I thought, 'I've been locked up this long inside; any reason to leave the house now is as good as any'.
Poking my head around the corner to check with my partner, I saw they were already comfortably installed on the sofa under a blanket. "Have fuuuu~uuun tonight," they grinned, already waving goodbye. I opened my mouth to try and lure them along when another tuneless line floated back from the kitchen, interrupting me even before I could say anything. Wincing, I waved back a bit disheartened.
…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
The only thing getting through this kind of weather was ye old and trusted public bus; luckily, the one line connecting us to the city had a stop only two blocks away. Taking the fancy plastic see-through umbrella, I commenced my journey. It took some detours and an ill-timed transfer, but I arrived in the city center with merely my lower half sogging wet. As I tried to navigate my way through the maze-like streets, a voice called out to me kindly.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could help me."
I halted and turned their way, nodding in their direction.
"It's quite a stormy evening, and the night shelter is stuffed. I found a place at a cheap hotel for tonight, but I came a bit short. I have most of the sum, though..."
I looked at the drenched person before me, with only a small plastic bag in hand that they were trying to shield from the rain.
"I would love to but I have no cash. Is there an ATM around that gives small bills?" I asked.
"Around the corner there is one, if you don't mind walking there?" They sounded hopeful.
I invited them under my umbrella and asked where they were going to stay. Apparently, the intercity hotel had some cheap rooms during the week. Ever since the war started, the night shelters have been overpopulated with refugees.
"But today is my birthday, and well, I wanted to at least have a warm shower and a bed to celebrate." They concluded.
"Rightfully so." I said firmly between my teeth that I was trying not to chatter from the cold. "Who can I give my wishes to?"
"My name is Jonathan."
After withdrawing the little I could miss, we said our goodbyes. When I asked if it was still a long walk to the hotel, Jonathan said he could handle it. I asked if he could use an umbrella and he replied "But what about you?".
I forcefully pushed the handle towards him, and for a short moment I felt his ice-cold hand.
"Thank you, this way my cookies will stay dry 'til I get there". He happily waved with his plastic bag while he took off, and I recognized an off-brand chocolate chip cookie box.
He could have easily been playing me for a fool, but even if that were the case, what a sad loot it would be. I would still grant it all to him.
The gig passed in a daze. Taking the same route back, I had to wait for my transfer for a bit, sheltering under the nearby bridge. The wind was picking up, and the rain never stopped coming down. With stiff fingers, I called my partner.
"I have to admit something," I suddenly said in the conversation. They fell silent.
"I gave away our nice, see-through umbrella."
"...That is okay; it will be of good use to someone."
I later realized they could probably hear the tears I was not crying in my voice.
"Come home safe and quickly, okay?" They said warmly.
Sometimes, life mercilessly punches you in the gut. And all you can do is drift along on the waves of pain, hoping that one day, in an unexpected surge of repentance, you are released from its grasp.
Hopefully, one day, you will find peace.
For now, I drift on.
…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
A heartbeat chased, but a painful one.
▫ Learn skateboarding (or maybe just learn to not fall off a skateboard)
▫ See an old school japanese movie
▫ Go winter swimming
▫ Do something spontaneous
▫ Say yes to something you always say no to
▫ Go storm hunting (I do love a good storm)
▫ Walk through the rain and get soaked to the bone
▫ Sing karaoke