Attempted Rescue

Today I arrived home early morning from work, slept a bit and then, feeling lazy and unmotivated, told the good lady Rose (who was in the middle of a manic sewing spree) that I was going for a quick run. I stepped out into hot and muggy, dreading the odd horse fly that was sure to launch surprise bombing attacks where the woods hugged the road, and set off, pat, pat, pat. A few minutes in I heard thunder, a wind came up and I tasted a bit of adrenaline, tinged with no little thankfulness. Perhaps the wind would chase those killer horse flies back to base.

Then, halfway through my run, the rain started. A pitter patter turned to a smashing deluge, puddles forming under my feet, the thickly wooded areas around me a washed haze of intense and impossible green, huge drops trailing off limbs, leaves, and my forehead. What bliss! Bolstered by the breeze, emboldened and cooled by the downpour, I ran harder, faster, enjoying every minute. No rampant killer horse flies out in this weather.

I hit the timer at two miles and settled in for a cool down, rain still falling, me now drenched to the skin and feeling joyful. At home, I sat down on the front steps, breathing hard, the sweat and cloud burst running off my head and pooling at my feet, adding to the little rivers running down the sidewalk.

I then noticed suddenly that the car was gone. Where in the world is Lady Rose? The last I saw, she was absorbed in a heady cloud of cotton and polyester, sewing as if her life depended on it. Now, gone. Disappeared.

I decided she must have made a quick trip to Dollar General to perhaps buy a needed fixing for lunch. Or maybe there was an emergency somewhere. What was I missing here?

At that moment she drove in and, grinning, rolled down her window and said, Hey, I was coming to rescue you. Rescue me? I said, pointing at myself. I am amused, rescue me from what? I am confused now, too, although I trust her judgement and if she thinks I need rescuing, I am sure I do.

The rain, she said. I saw it start pouring and figured I’d come pick you up, but I couldn’t find you. I thought you might want a ride home.

We laughed for a while. I told her that a rescue was the very last thing on my mind. In fact, I had been reveling in the rain, enjoying the cool watery shower as I ran... besides being refreshing, the rain had also chased away those rabid killer biting horse flies.

Is there a moral to this story? I’m not sure. Maybe it’s more of a tribute to the fine Lady Rose than anything. But maybe it’s more. Maybe it’s about sharing a good laugh in the middle of the day; maybe it’s about her love, care, and kindness; maybe it’s the thought that counts. Whatever the case, it ended up being a successful rescue, one I didn’t know I needed.

BF