The Rain Whisperer

It was strange how obsessed they’d become with the rain … watching the Radar and following their rain apps on their phones, anticipating the storms with relish. They were sitting outside on their patio now, with their Espresso Martini’s, betting against each other about whether the rain was on its way. She, emphatically declaring yes … he saying no.

Rain was an event here … it was a tropical climate that could go months without any significant rainfall and then months again where it felt like it would never stop, when the damp air would permeate its way into everything, a cloying moistness that could not be shaken. Still, the rain was always an event to be celebrated, which was precisely what they were doing together now.

All who knew her well knew her love of the rain. She could sit and watch it for hours, like others could sit and watch the ocean, a tennis match … golf. She never felt at peace as much as she did when she was wrapped up cosy and warm being at one with the rain. Memories and nostalgia .. the rain evoked both, taking her back to moments in time both distant and recent …. sitting in her woodshed as a child with her trusted pup by her side, running through the streets of London in an unexpected downpour, sitting on hotel balconies sheltering from storms.

The rain app she had on her phone indicated the storm was nearly upon them, intense rain just a few minutes away. She bristled with excitement, keenly watching the clouds become thicker, darker, more menacing. Their Espresso Martinis were nearly empty but she didn’t want to get up to mix another and miss those first precious spattering of raindrops. Of course this was just to prove she was right, to gloat to Mr She who still steadfastly held to his belief the rain would bypass them as it often did, the ‘Dome’ would activate at the last minute.

The Dome was a local legend …. they were wedged between the Bay and the ranges so rain often skirted past them, sucked out to sea or up through the valleys.

But here it came… no gentle spattering, it was falling now with a vengeance and she had squealed in delight “I told you!” Mr She admitted his defeat, offering to refill their glasses while she grinned smugly at him. “I’m the Rain Whisperer” she whispered to him dramatically, giggling to herself.

The martini had warmed her from the inside out and she was snug and happy soaking up the vista before her. She knew the rain would be gone as quickly as it had come so she sat back, waiting on her Martini refill, relaxed and content and looking forward to the I-told-you-so gloating that although completely unnecessary was certainly warranted.

It wasn’t just the rain making her feel so content. She loved these moments with Mr She. They had busy lives and these quality moments together were important to her. A chance to reconnect, enjoy each other’s company, reflect on their life.

Just the two of them, just the rain, just love.