Running Away

The sky was greenish-grey that day, and the heat was physically oppressive, even with the steady downpour of rain. To most people living in Southern America, it was a warning to stay inside; to my sibling and I, it was something else entirely.

The rest of the family was off running errands. So, alone and bored, we decided that it was the perfect opportunity to go frolic together in the rain, like the overgrown kids we both still are.

We didn’t even take the time to put on the bathing suits we’d brought, as Texas weather is known for its unpredictability. So, fully clothed, the two of us raced through the house—giggling madly—onto the driveway where we chased each other and hollered for no other reason than our own enjoyment.

Our antics drew the concerned/disapproving glares of passersby; but we were lost in our own private universe, heedless of everyone else except for ourselves.

I was on break from college, and my sibling had been struggling in Washington State in the aftermath of our parents’ divorce. For us, to be alone together and goofing off with such reckless abandon was a rarity. The significance of this glorious moment wasn’t lost on me, but I kept the sentiment to myself.

Then, out of nowhere, the superheated air turned into a deafening peal of thunder right over our heads. It was intense enough to rattle our bones, and sudden enough to scare both of us senseless.

As the noise faded back into the oblivion whence it came, both Kitty and I let out identical, blood-curdling screams. We were filled with the abrupt, all-consuming need to flee; and we did—running away into the shelter of our grandparents’ garage as if a monster were on our very heels.

Then, once the two of us were safely underneath the garage roof, our fear turned into manic, relieved laughter. 

We laughed at ourselves and at each other over the utter silliness of our reactions; and we continued laughing as our family drove up and into the garage not too long after us.

Eventually, we came out of our universe to spend the rest of the night—and the visit—among our family; and the moment turned into treasured memory.