Chapter ２４

Machel

The gloomy veil of rain has thinned to a steady drizzle. In spite of my skepticism, I'm holding out hope that the weather will improve my disposition. Who knew heartbreak could hurt so much. I've never had my heart shattered, so I can't begin to fathom the anguish Leonid must have felt as a young man. I'm curious whether he's heartbroken right now and if so, whether or not I had a hand in it. It doesn't seem likely to me. Perhaps more than anything else, I believe that he is hurting from a blow to his sense of pride. In my opinion, he did not love Arlene. That's not how I see it.

The clouds have parted ever so little, and the sun, which I had assumed had disappeared for good, is now visible. There's a rainbow in the clouds, and it's only half full. Trying to catch Arlene would be like trying to catch a rainbow in order to get the gold at the end of it.

My head snaps around as I react to the sound of something moving. I see her standing there, my Arlene. On the soggy grass.