Missed Opportunity

One late August afternoon, thunder rumbles. I dash and open the door, longing to see a damp porch and water droplets on blades of grass. Instead, I count eleven circles, tears of disappointment, sprinkled on worn, wooden planks. The warm, moist wind blows my hair back and shoves laden clouds across the Vance-Granville County line. Sheets of rain cascade from distant clouds. Nasturtium and hollyhocks stretch to catch raindrops, then droop; their thirst unquenched.

I shake my head, throw up my arms, and stomp back inside. The phone rings. I answer to hear a friend say, “It’s pouring here.”