"Summer Shower"

They sat together on the porch at midnight, sipping wine and listening to the rain while a single tealight in its little glass cup bravely flared against the darkness.

She put her goblet aside and descended the stairs to test the shower’s strength. Within seconds, she was drenched. “Come down here and kiss me,” she said.

He shrugged and obliged.

They couldn’t decide what they enjoyed more: kissing in the rain, laughing and kissing in the rain, or the kiss itself. So they kept doing it until the swath of headlights cut across them in the liquid gloom and their teenaged daughter got out of the car. Hurrying past them to get in out of the rain, she scolded:

“Geez, will you two grow up?”

copyright 2013 Ruth R. Greig

"Bear Necessities"

Front L to R: Joe, Burl, Baby and Elliot
Back L to R: Rufus, Pumpkin, Gorden, Spirit Bear

The bears all wanted hugs this morning. Usually, they’re pretty good about getting up to play while I get ready for work, but today Rufus wouldn’t let me go. He’s the senior bear and a bit of a drama queen, so I had to stop and placate him. Burl is the loudest, and once he saw Rufie getting extra affection, he demanded to be next. Naturally, everyone else got in line and the world paused in its orbit while I doled out the cuddles.

I don’t know what started the fuss. Maybe it was the rain. Bears are sensitive to the weather. They get upset when the energy isn’t right, and it’s been a little grim around here the past few days.

It made me late for work, but I left a happier group at home. Strangely, I felt better, too.

Maybe they knew something I didn’t.