Page 170 of We Redeemed the Rain

Rain danced with the sun and made miracles?—

colored ribbons bridging heaven and earth.

Interlaced, sun showers broke through the clouds,

the pitter-patter a song of rain's worth.

FORTY-FIVE

Bea

One week later

Walking up two flights of stairs to my apartment door felt herculean. My feet scuffed the concrete, my limbs dragged, my heart ached. I grabbed the rail and pulled, helping me get up the last few. I wanted to drop into bed and sleep until tomorrow afternoon. But if I crawled under the covers at 6 p.m., Jackie would hound me.

Standing on my doormat, I fumbled for the keys. They eluded me at the bottom of my purse. Why was every task so frustrating these days? After spending a good minute locating them, I realized the door was unlocked. I rolled my eyes at my stupidity and pushed in.

To my dismay and annoyance, my living room was crowded. Jackie and our other two roommates, Kelsey and Erica, were home. And we had visitors sitting on our couch—Peter and Sarah.

Peter popped up off the couch when he saw me. “Hey, Beatles.”

“Hey, Peter.”

His arms came out wide to hug me. Allowing him to hold me, I tried to gain as much strength as I could from the hug. I loved hugs.They usually helped me feel a little better. But this time the hug only made tears prick my eyes.

“How was your interview?” Peter asked.

My gaze darted away so he wouldn’t see the moisture there. “Oh, uh, fine I guess.”

Sarah was right behind him, there to hug me, too. Her red hair smelled like flowers, and silver bangles clacked on her wrist. She said in her typical honey-sweet tone, “Tell us what happened.”

“I mean, what typically happens in an interview?” I shrugged. “They said they’d call me.”

Peter chimed in. “You have a good feeling about it?”

“Not particularly. I’m pretty sure they realized how inexperienced I am.”

Jackie, making something in the kitchen, chimed in as she licked chocolate batter off a soft spatula. “I was inexperienced and look at me now.”

“Seriously, if I get the job, it will only be because Jackie works there.”

“And theyadoreme.”

“But youhatethem.” I reminded her.

“They don’t know that though.”

I sighed. “Jackie talks enough crap about her boss and coworkers that I’m not sure I even want the job.”

“Look, they aren’t all that bad.” She strode into the living room. “I just think the work is life-draining, soul-sucking, and eye-ball frying. Everyone at corporate looks like a corpse.”

Peter rolled his eyes. “You can’t stay positive for once, Jackie?”

She held her hands up in surrender as she plopped down on one of our couches. “Just being honest!”

Sarah reminded me, ever the encourager, “Bea, it’ll work out if it’s supposed to.”

“I know.” I gave her a half smile.

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