Chapter Sixteen
Last night, I dreamt of rain.
We were lying side by side on the roof, letting ourselves get soaked through. You held my hand and laughed as thunder shook the sky.
The rain was cold as it touched my skin. The chill of it made me feel thoroughly alive, as though I’d been waiting my whole life for the sky to cleanse me of the wounds I’d been born to bear. Feeling the drops fall painlessly onto my body, without the sting of chemicals burning me, I knew I was dreaming. You and I never existed in a place where the rain wouldn’t singe our skin.
Knowing I was dreaming didn’t peel away the beauty of that moment. Now I have a memory of us lying in the rain. Happy, peaceful. I will hold onto that wonder forever.
I turned to look at you, wanting to memorize the smile that brighten
