What started as a light sprinkle quickly evolved into a downpour. Out in the streets, people ran down the sidewalk, some laughing, some grumbling as they passed the multiple stoops of the crowded brownstone townhouses. The few cars out on the narrow roadways found themselves navigating flooded streets and bike lanes due to the overwhelmed storm drains. Many failed to slow down or neglected it altogether, and sent large waves of water spraying on the bystanders that happened to be near.
“Come on, man!” Aiden yelled as he stood on the sidewalk watching the car continue on its path, seemingly oblivious or non-apologetic to the deluge it sprayed upon him.
It was insult added to injury. Already soaked, Aiden turned, adjusted his backpack on his shoulders, and carried his bicycle up the steps to a dark blue door.
“Mom! Hello!” he called out as he entered, dripping. Immediately he found a pile of towels in the entryway.
“Hi, Baby-Oh!” Evelyn said as she rounded the corner and caught sight of her son. “You’re absolutely soaked! Aiden, the towels! Use them before you drip all over the hardwood.”
“Thanks,” he said as he picked up a rag and wiped his face, dropping his backpack by the door. “I’ll need a few extra for my bike.”
“Use those first. I’ll get more.”
Aiden cleaned off his bike and left it to lean in the entryway while his mother returned with another towel.
“You look like a drowned rat,” she said with a smile. “That bad out there?”
“It’s pretty gnarly. Sorry I’m late.”
“You’re fine,” she said, waving it off with her hand. “I hardly noticed. You know, I would prefer you take a bus or taxi.”
“Just trying to stay fit, Mom. Isn’t a little exercise a good thing?”
“My love, you could miss a month at the gym and still be batting off the girls on campus, I’m sure. At least check the weather next time,” she said. “Did you have dinner?”
“Yeah, I snagged something at the café before I took off.”
“Good.”
“You?”
“Had some leftovers from lunch with Tina.”
Aiden toweled off his light brown hair leaving it wild and slightly shaggy.
“You ready?” he asked.
“I am, but you are not.”
Aiden’s brow furrowed.
“What? I totally am.”
“Ha! The hell you are!” Evelyn laughed. “You are a mess. I’m not having you sit on my furniture like that. Go upstairs and get cleaned up.”
“I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”
“Just grab something from your father’s closet.”
Aiden paused before responding.
“You still haven’t got rid of them?”
Evelyn shook her head.
“Go,” she said.
Taking a moment to look at his mother, he turned and walked up the stairs.
“Oh, and Aiden?” she called after him. He stopped halfway up. “You’ll have to use my shower.”
“What’s wrong with the guest bath?”
“Plumbing’s been making noises. I have someone coming out Monday to take a look.”
“Okay. Thanks,” he said, then turned and walked up the stairs.
Evelyn poured her first drink while listening to the sounds of the shower above her head. The solitude of the house now warmed by company, and her favorite company at that. Yet, the scene was still not quite right. Something was still missing. A grin spread across her face as her eyes settled on the old record player in the corner. Within moments the room was filled with the lightly crackling sound of a needle locked in the groove of a vinyl record and playing the smooth stylings of Ella Fitzgerald.
wpDiscuz