The rain broke while I was halfway across the park. I was carrying a thermos and a paperback and I had no reason to be anywhere. I stopped under a tree and the branches were still dripping and I sat down on the dry patch on the bench and took the thermos out. The tea was still hot. The world smelled like wet earth and sun. I pulled my coat tighter and tucked my hands into the sleeves around the cup. A kid laughed at a puddle. The page I opened to was the one I had been meaning to reread. I stayed a long time.
