Towards the end of my day I chatted with a colleague in her office when we noticed the clouds darken the sky. The question wasn't whether it would rain but when. My colleague looked down at my practical sandals and then at her leather wedge sandals. She remarked that clearly I was ready and she was not as she pondered whether she dared make the run to her car barefoot.
I returned to my office to log off and pack up my work laptop. Fortunately, I keep a poncho in the backpack that I use for my laptop so that I always have one on days like this.
I carried my scooter, poncho, and backpack down the stairs to the ground floor where I unfolded the scooter and donned the poncho. I can only imagine what a sight I was to see as I passed an attorney from my office on my way out the door.
Through the streets of my city, I navigated puddles, traffic, and the occasional pedestrian. When I arrived at my favorite park, the place was so empty the two resident ducks were exploring the usually very busy path now filled with puddles to play in. They were surprised to watch me zip by.
The rain had gotten even heavier by now. Puddles were getting harder and harder to avoid. My scooter momentarily slipped on some wood boards of a path, nicking me in the ankle as I clumsily stepped off - one of the hazards of riding a scooter.
Then I reached the final block which had a river running down the middle of the road. There was no way to avoid this puddle so I forded through it, feeling the entire board of my scooter get fully submersed at times until I reached higher ground.
I admit, I smiled throughout the entire journey as the rain washed over me, refreshing me, and cooling me after days of weather that at times reached triple digits.
I reached the main building of my apartment complex. As I stood under an overhang, I folded up my scooter and then took off my poncho and shook off as much rain as I could. Aside from my bangs and my legs/feet, I had actually stayed pretty dry.
I entered the building to see the eyes of the office staff on me. "I don't mind the rain. I don't melt." I said before continuing on to pick up the mail and head to my apartment.