Rain and Steam                                     Part 1 I was walking down the street on a chilly September afternoon.  It was cloudy but far from dreary.  The air seemed to sparkle as it sometimes does after it rains.  At least that’s how it was to me.  Anyway, back to that afternoon.  School was out and I was walking home.  Coming up behind me was a boy in my class.  His name was Ryan.  I had a major crush on him for a long time but after a while I decided to get a hold of myself.  Even so, when I see him my knees buckle.  He was just walking up beside me as anxious to get home as I was. “Hi, Ryan.” “Hey Mackenzie.” “Nice day, huh?” “Sure if you say so.” “What do you mean?” “Well, it’s too cloudy for my taste.” “Oh well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” “Huh?” “Oh see, to you this day may seem too gray and dreary but to me, the world is more alive right now.” “Whoa, that’s deep.” “No, just an opinion.” “Where are you headed?” “Home.  I’m too tired to go anywhere else.  How ‘bout you?” “I don’t know.  Maybe I’ll just walk around for awhile.” Just then, it started to rain. “I guess you won’t be walking for too long.” “Yeah, and it’s coming down harder.” It began to rain so hard that it was as if a monsoon was coming.  We started to run looking for shelter.  We knew we weren’t going to make it home.  Ryan and I finally came upon an old abandoned house.  We ran in to get away from the rain.  The place was dirty but warmer than outside.  I looked around and found a bunch of blankets.  I handed him one.  He looked at me curiously. “What’s this?” “Well, Ryan, it’s called a blanket and it’s for keeping you warm.” “Ha, ha, ha.” I started to peel off my sweater when he stopped me. “What the HELL are you doing?” “I’m taking off my clothes so they can dry.” “What?!” “I don’t want to get sick so I’m taking off my wet clothes and wrapping myself in the blanket.  I suggest you do the same.” “No way!  I’m keeping my clothes on.” “Ok, no one’s forcing you.  All I’m saying is that you’ll get sick if you don’t.” “Alright, but you have to go to the other room.” “You’re shy!” “No I’m not!” “Yes you are.  I can see it on your face.” “Just go ok!”   “Ok, ok.” Trying to hold back laughter, I went into the other room.