Saving Grace

The rain hammered the umbrella like bullets. Each drop seemed to explode on to the taut black surface that served as my only protection from the weather. I sought protection. Ignoring the sogginess from the abundance of children jumping in puddles on my new jeans, I walked on trying not to let the memories haunt me. I took my time, determined to get over the fear. I ambled past my favourite lake, seeing the ducks searching for shelter like everyone else in the park. All but one. I saw a hunched over figure sitting at the lake's edge. As I stepped closer, I could see it was a man, he appeared to be crying. He looked cold. Out of kindness, I outstretched my arm, providing shelter for the stranger.

This was a step forward for me.
"Be kind."
"Socialise, interact."
"Make friends."
"Friends can fix us."
That's what she says every Wednesday.

Jerking me out of my thoughts, a deep voice announces after a sniffle, "I like the rain."
"Oh," I said simply.
I took a seat next to the man and put my umbrella down hoping for the rain to wash my fear away.
"Do you?" The man said suddenly but gently. I jumped at the sound but relaxed when he looked at me and I took in his features.
"Sorry, what?" My voice was coarse as those two words were the most I'd said to anyone in a while.
"The rain. Do you like it?" He replied.
I took a moment. A stranger. A beautiful stranger at that but do I tell him about what haunts me every night? I don't even know his name. I looked back, boring into his deep chocolate-brown orbs. Everything just melted away and I was overtaken by a dazzling sense of comfort.
"I used to." His face contorted into an expression of confusion and intrigue yet still held the soft, gentleness that was there before. It was then that I noticed his nose. It was one of character, with a bump and was definitely not small. I liked it.
"Why not now?" The mysterious man asked.
"Why were you crying?" I countered, not meaning to sound as rude or abrupt as I had. I watched as there a quick glimmer in his dark eyes.
Was it hurt?

He sighed.
I sighed.
Looking back at the distressed ducks, I sensed him shifting uncomfortably. He cleared his throat.
"Jack."
I furrowed my eyebrows at him. His hand was extended as a que for me to offer my own hand but instead I burrowed my hand even further into my pocket.
"Grace."
"Pretty."
Awkwardness gathered and brewed as the clouds and the rain cleared.

Notes