The rain drops were hitting the window with a low thrumming. It had started raining in the middle of the night, and judging from the clouds above it would keep raining the whole day.

  It seemed fitting, how some days happiness and sunshine would warm the ground and the next day the world would cry. Immersing the earth in a grey cloudy curtain.

  The dim light was already illuminating the bedroom, even this early in the morning.

  One blanked folded up neatly, two pillows sitting untouched, a small stuffed bear sitting in the middle. A cat shaped bump in the middle of it all.

  The other blanked wrapped around a body, like a safe cocoon.

  Not safe against the antics of a cat of course, that very desperately wanted to be fed.

  Cats always act, as if they have never been fed. Always demanding food, without a single missing day. As if they weren′t fed regularly.

  Just so fitting. Acting so worried that some day, without warning, nobody would give into their demands and their hunger.

  ___________________________________________________

  The house was quiet, except the noise of two cats garfing down food, like theres no tomorrow.

  The small light in the kitchen illuminated the two girls and Flos steaming hot cup of tea.

  It was too early for him, he decided. Way too early.

  Annoyed he grabbed his tea and some food before moving over to his office upstairs.

  As soon as he had stated up his Computer and checked his mails, he knew that today would be a full day. He didn′t exactly mind. He was new in this company and he liked the responsibility he got. He loved his job. Had lived for it for some time. Without much thought he stated up his typical apps for working, thoroughly checking his messages.

  Dave Zirkauski

  Good Morning Sunshine!

  Did you sleep well?

  Having cats sure is a trump over a dog today. Brrr, it was ice cold outside.

  I′m looking forward to Saturday. Maybe we could cook something together?

  Love, Dave

  He stared at the message for a moment, his fingers hovering over his keyboard.

  He wanted to respond – he really did. But what could he say? The message was so easy, so open and simple. Just like yesterdays evening.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  He officially hadn′t read it, so he left it alone.

  He dived into work, his first meeting being in some minutes, to distract himself from all those thoughts.

  And it worked. Before he realised, it was noon and one of the girls was on his desk.

  Demanding. Again.

  He took a moment of his time to stare outside, listen to his girls eat.

  It had stopped raining. It looked nice outside. The typical nice weather after a full night of rain.

  He needed to take a breath, of fresh air. Needed to smell the wet gras. The hope that seemed to always linger with this kind of weather. Get out of the suffocating stillness of the house.

  The park was quiet, save for the occasional jogger or dog walker. At the small playground were a handfull of children. Enjoying the lightness of childhood. Playing in the damp sand, jumping in puddles. Two adults were sitting on a bench close by, watching them.

  Flo sat down on a bench, that was still dry. Protected by a sprawling oat tree. He could see the droplets of water slip down the leaves above. Making small sounds in the quiet world, when hitting the ground. Nurishing the ground, enableing new things to grow and flourish. Maybe he would just need to sit in the rain, to also grow and flourish again. Or maybe it was too clipped and old to still work out.

  “You′re being pathetic again”, he muttered under his breath, but the words lacked conviction.

  A bark interrupted his reverie. He looked up to see a golden retriever bounding across the grass, a stick clutched triumphantly in its mouth. A man followed, jogging to keep up.

  “Sorry about that,” the man said, reaching for the dog’s collar. He glanced at Flo, and for a moment, they both froze.

  It was Dave.

  “Flo,” Dave said, surprise and delight lighting up his face. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Dave,” Flo managed, his voice a mix of shock and nervousness. “Hi.”

  Dave’s dog wagged its tail enthusiastically, seemingly unaware of the awkwardness between the two men.

  “This is Max,” Dave said, gesturing to the dog. “He’s… well, he’s a handful.”

  “He’s beautiful,” Flo replied, extending a hand to let Max sniff. The dog immediately licked his fingers, earning a small smile from Flo.

  “Mind if I sit?” Dave asked, nodding toward the bench.

  Flo hesitated, but then nodded. “Sure.”

  They sat in silence for a moment, the sound of Max’s panting filling the space between them. Dave broke the silence first.

  “I wasn’t sure if I’d hear back from you,” he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of vulnerability. “I hope I didn’t scare you off with my… sense of humor.”

  Flo sighed. “No, it’s not that. I… I’m just… complicated.”

  Dave nodded, as if he understood more than Flo had said. “We all are, in some way. You don’t have to explain anything you’re not ready to.”

  “It’s not that simple,” Flo said, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked at Dave, seeing genuine kindness in his eyes. “I lost someone. Someone I… someone who was my everything.”

  Dave’s expression softened. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “That’s not something you just get over. And honestly, you shouldn’t have to.”

  Flo blinked, surprised by the response. He had expected pity, awkwardness, maybe even a polite excuse to leave. But not this.

  “I’m not asking you to forget them,” Dave continued. “I just… I like you, Flo. And if you’re willing, I’d like to get to know you. All of you. The past included.”

  Flo didn’t know what to say. He’d spent so long building walls around himself, convinced that no one could understand, that no one would want to try. Yet here was Dave, gently asking to be let in.

  “I don’t know if I can do this,” Flo admitted. “It’s been a year, and I still…” He gestured helplessly. “I don’t know how to move on.”

  “Maybe you don’t have to move on,” Dave said. “Maybe you just… keep moving. One step at a time.”

  Flo looked at him, the words sinking in. Keep moving. It sounded so simple, yet it felt monumental. But maybe, just maybe, it was something he could try.

  “Dinner,” Flo said finally, a tentative smile tugging at his lips. “How about I cook you Dinner on Saturday?”

  Dave’s face lit up. “Dinner it is.”

  Max barked in agreement, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Flo laughed. It wasn’t much, just a small, hesitant laugh, but it was real. And it was a start.