in the midst of the pelting rain and the settling fog she appeared across the street. her bone coloured raincoat and enormous matching coloured umbrella were the brightest things he'd seen all day. she stood there patiently, completely dry.

her shoes were dry and the filled shopping bags she carried were dry. she looked as though rain had never touched her. dreary weather was something she loved walking in so long as she did not get wet, or even damp.

he had spent the morning in bed weeping about his miserable life before he was forced to leave his house and go to work. while he watched her on the other side of the street he felt he was witnessing a form of happiness float in front of him. his attraction was obvious as he stared directly at her spectral form. when the traffic light changed, and she began to cross the street towards him, she caught his stare and looked away immediately.

[10/20/03]