Robin stared out at the city park while enjoying her morning cup of coffee. She sat on the balcony of her
“Don’t they check the weather?” Robin smiled to herself then took another sip of coffee. She reached for her journal but noticed movement in the park. One man strolled through the pouring rain without an umbrella, and as far as she could tell, without a shirt. He fell onto the grass on his back and remained still.
“I hope he doesn’t get sick,” she thought. She put him out of her mind and wrote in her journal for about ten minutes. When she looked up to take another drink she noticed the strange man still lay in the grass. He had not moved an inch.
“Oh no, is he okay?” The sudden thought rushed out of Robin’s mouth. She did not hesitate to find out. Five minutes later she walked through the rain holding up an umbrella and carrying a spare one. She reached the man’s location and looked down at him.
He lay in a puddle of water deep enough to cover his ears and most of the dark hair on his head. His eyes were closed and he wore a goofy, contented smile on his face.
“Are you okay?” Robin asked. She expected to startle him, but he replied without opening his eyes.
“Fantastic,” he said. “Thanks for checking in,” he added. Robin turned to leave, but curiosity got the better of her.
“What are you doing?” she asked him.
“Trying to sleep,” he replied.
“In the rain?” She asked. This time he opened his eyes and sat up. Robin saw the most beautiful translucent orange eyes she’d ever seen on anyone. They reminded Robin of orange flavored hard candy.
“Is it raining?” he asked. Robin pulled herself out of his eyes and looked around at the park. She shrugged.
“Yeah. A lot.” The man nodded, then lowered his back to the ground again.
“Then, yes. In the rain,” he said. Then he sat up and opened his eyes again. “I’m sorry, that was rude. I don’t get to relax like this very often because I’m usually working on rainy days.” He shrugged. “I do appreciate you checking on me though.”
“Why are you napping in the rain? Don’t you get sick?” The man shook his head.
“No. I don’t know what it is, but it feels amazing. I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember,” he said.
“I’m Robin, what’s your name?”
“Posie,” he said. Robin smiled, and laughed at him.
“No wonder you like the rain so much, you’re named after a flower.” Posie shook his head again.
“Not exactly, it’s just a nickname. My real name is Poseidon, but..” he shrugged. “It’s too bulky.”
“I like Posie,” she said. Red washed over her pale cheeks as she realized what she said. Posie did not seem to catch it. He nodded at her.
“So, as a final check: you’re alive, and this is something you regularly do?” Robin asked. Posie nodded. “Okay. I think I understand. When the rain stops, you’ll leave?” she asked. Again Posie nodded. “And go where?”
“Haven’t planned that far ahead. I’m off today to enjoy the rain as much as I can.” Robin used her spare umbrella to point at her apartment building behind her.
“That’s my building, apartment 320.” She threw the umbrella on the ground next to Posie. “If you happen to find my lost umbrella, I’d appreciate it if you can drop it off after the rain passes.” Robin turned and walked back to her apartment. Posie laid down in the rain and smiled.
