by Maria Trudalidi

Created on: August 28, 2008

It was a gray day. Rainy, cold. A day on which I had no desire to leave my comfortable bed. And yet, I could not forget my duties, and had no choice but climb out from under my blanket and stumble over to the shower. My fingers sleepily searched for the light switch, my movements slow, unsure, wanting only another five minutes of rest. I flinched when the light filled the room, very hesitantly stepped into the bathroom, and flinched again as the rush of hot water washed away all my left over sleep.

Reluctantly stepping out of my apartment I braced myself for the stench of the elevator and was still deciding weather I should take the stairs or wait for it when the doors glided open. With a soft sigh I stepped inside, holding my gloved hand over my nose.
"Good morning, Miss Mary," my neighbor said as he stepped into the elevator on the third floor.
"A very gray one isn't it?" I smiled at him, then pressed my hand back to my nose.
"This thing sure could use some cleaning!" the elderly man sighed and using my example, covered his own nose.

When I finally stepped outside, I sucked in a deep, greatful breath of the chilly October air. A gush of cold wind wrapped itself around me and shivering I stepped into the busy New York streets. Half way to work a cold rain picked up, and having forgotten my umbrella, I was forced to seek shelter under a newsstand. After five minutes of continuous downpour, I bought myself a nice, thick "New York Times" and used it to cover my head.

That's when I saw him. Running across the road from Central Park, a bright red umbrella in hand. Everyone was too busy to notice the peculiar sight, however I couldn't help but stop. He was smiling, as if a red umbrella was the most natural thing in a sea of gray ones. I shrugged, and with a small smile continued on my own way.
"Miss? Miss!" someone called out, and as I turned around I realized it was the man with the red umbrella. I looked about myself, but it seemed as though no one but me had heard him. I blinked a few times then was about to walk my way once again when the man began frantically waving at me. I stopped, and waited as he ran up to me.
"Miss, that lovely blouse would be ruined if you don't use something to hide it from the rain," the man said breathlessly, for he had been running to catch up to me. I blushed childishly, for no stranger has ever complemented my clothes before, and then laughed.
"I'm afraid I've nothing to cover it with! I have left my umbrella at home."
"Take this one! It

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>