Final Rain, First Dance

Tiny raindrops splattered off the pavement, clearing it of all impurities. The water’s cool surface chilled my skin as it dripped off of my body and sprayed onto my bare feet from the ground. Personally, I loved the rain. Especially those afternoons where streaks of heavenly yellow light cascades through the clouds. The light is warm, inviting; possibly an angel protecting the souls of this world who are still searching for their meaning. So great but so small.
To my surprise, his arms wrapped around my waist. His lips graced my shoulder, a soft compassionate kiss. Gently, he spun me around and lifted me off of the ground. The beginning of my journey.
As I look forward, he’s down on one knee. A single, clear stone embedded in a white gold band was held between the fingers of rough, tired hands. His baby blue eyes stared at me, longing for the answer that would soon escape my mouth. This was the biggest moment of his life, the moment he was willing to take on forever as one.
A year passed by like a silent breeze in summer, unnoticed, untouched. I found myself draped in multiple layers of white. My curly brown hair fell over my shoulders surrounding my face. Tears began to swell, though I hid them. A dam about to break but with its last ounce of strength holding back the water. The long veil that hung over my face concealed the redness that streaked my pale cheeks. Content with my choice, I didn’t wonder, I didn’t worry. Here, before a priest, I made a promise I knew I could stick to; forever with him.
50 years later, this is where it had left me. My eyes laid upon him, old and fragile on the blue sofa, a quiet snore seeping from his mouth. I listen, every breath that he takes reminds me of the days long gone. The ones where we were young and new to the rollercoaster of life.
His brilliant eyes opened and looked at me, as if he knew I was thinking of him. Silently, I grabbed his hand and led him outside, our bare feet rough against the wet pavement. Raindrops slowly saturating our shirts.

“Come, dance with me.”

This is the ending that you come to when you’ve took all the right turns. Yeah sure, maybe there was a few times where you’ve had to switch up the path and maybe even get hit with the tree branches every once in a while. But, there is only one ending, one finish line marked with a checkered flag right at your heart.