rain..

It was really starting to pour and as he unfurled his umbrella he whispered a silent salute. He read authors likening walking in the rain to being in your own little universe, he couldn't have said it better. The steady drum of falling droplets, blocking out the world, leaving just him and his thoughts. He loved New York in fall, somehow it made the entire city come alive in his mind, didn't really matter that he didn't have anyone in particular to share it with, he enjoyed the atmosphere in solitary just as much. Fighting against the cold wind and the bites of nature brought a smile to his lips. There was hardly anyone out, not many would consider this walk of his a pleasure, and that suited him just fine.
She was huddled in an alley, back against the wall, struggling to find any means of shelter against the rain. The cardboard box she curled under was already soaked through, her clothes just as wet, the ground around her a filthy mess, yet through her sorry state and helpless predicament, shone a determination unlike any he had ever seen, a dignity that made him stare in awe. His feelings were mixed as he walked over to where she lay. She was young, hardly nineteen, though he swears her eyes shown with experiences well beyond her years. She didn't seem afraid of him merely curious as if to say "why would you help me". She'd become so used to being ignored and it almost seemed as if she had given up on humanity.
He knelt by her side, and for what seemed like eternity they just stared at each other. Neither knowing what to say. Extending his hand, he softly asked if she would let him take her for a meal. She paused for awhile then nodded and taking his hand gently raised herself up. Taking off his coat, he gave it to her, motioning for her to put it on. Umbrella over their heads, they walked slowly to the nearest diner, both not daring to break the silence.
Heads turned and bowed in hushed whisper as they walked in together, an elderly gentleman - in every sense of the word - accompanied by a tiny black girl swimming in a coat clearly too big for her, both equally drenched. He chose a booth towards the back of the restaurant, one nearest to the fireplace, he sensed they both wanted a little privacy. As the waitress brought the menus, a look of curiosity in her her eyes, he told her to order anything she wanted. She looked slightly startled, but with a quick reassuring smile he set her at ease and she began pointing out what she wanted.
It managed to be the most silent meal he'd ever have in his life while also being the one where most was shared. As they waited for their food, he stared at her now smiling face. Her eyes were large and colored the deepest black. Her hair, almost dry was showing signs of being wavy, she wasn't what the world would call beautiful and if you saw her on the street, you'd hardly give her a glance, the dress she wore was so tatted and stained, its original color a mystery. In spite of everything he could see a beauty deep inside her, one that made her seem like the most amazing woman in the world
She looked at the man sitting across from her. He was staring at her, yet not in the way most people do. There was no disgust or even pity in his eyes, just a deep sense of warmth that made her feel comfortable. She'd been through hell, being raised by a foster father who treated her worse than the dogs he raised. She could take the physical abuse, she kept telling herself that this was her cross, just like the pastor at the church she used to go to kept saying, but the mental abuse wore her down. She ran away, but the world isn't an easy place for someone who can't even read or write, and eventually she found herself on the street, barely surviving, not expecting to make it through the winter. His sudden smile brought her back to the present, and in that moment, she couldn't help but smile too.
They ate their food lost in their won thoughts. He knew she must have been famished, he could see it in her eyes, yet she willed herself to eat slowly, whether for his benefit or hers he couldn't tell, once again he couldn't help but remark to himself, "what a woman..". They finished their meal and he paid the bill, he knew this was coming, from what he'd seen he was sure she'd refuse any further help, but he just couldn't think of her back on the streets again. She got up, knowing that this was as far as their relationship would go. He remained seated a look of deep pain on his face. She tapped him on his shoulder, looking up he saw her smiling at him, it was like the sun parting the clouds on a rainy day, and in that moment he prayed that God would be kind to this child.
They stood outside the door of the diner, enjoying each others company for a few more moments, the rain still falling around them. No words of thanks were said, none were needed. He gave her his coat, along with his gloves, umbrella and the cash he had on him, God knew she needed it more than him, and if this was the only way she'd allow him to help her, then so be it. The look of gratitude in her eyes almost made him weak. She smiled at him again and turned around to walk away. She barely took a few steps before running back to him. She flew into his arms and whispered "thank you mister, thank you so much. I've been praying to God for help, I know he's busy, and I'm not that important so that's why He didn't come Himself, but mister I know He sent you instead.." with that she let him go of him and ran off down the street.
As he turned around to walk back to his apartment, the only thing on his mind was this little girl he met funny thing was he didn't even know her name. He looked up to the sky, letting the rain wash away the tears streaming down his face..

TBC