“Rainfall”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

It’s time for the human race to enter the solar system.”

Dan Quayle

The pitter-patter of rain knocks gently on the window above me. I look up to see water droplets dappling the glass, creating a kaleidoscope of reflected light.

“Captain?”

I tear my eyes from the overhead window to see my right-hand man, Sully, standing at the door of my room.

I nod for him to come in. “What is it?”

“We’re ready for take-off,” he replies. “We just need you to give the word.”

I sigh and return my gaze to the window above me.

“Look, Sully,” I say softly. “Rain.”

“Er, yes, it’s rain,” Sully says, the confusion clear in his voice.

I chuckle slightly. “Remember when we were still in training? How we hated the rain so much because it made the ground muddy and we all slipped everywhere while we did drills?”

I hear Sully approaching me. He stops beside me and puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “Should I call for a medic?”

I let out a long sigh. “No, no, I’m alright. It’s just… rain, Sully. I don’t remember it ever being this beautiful.”

“Well, we’ve been away from home for a long time,” Sully says gently. “Should I request longer shore leave?”

“No,” I say firmly. I take one last look at the beautiful droplets of water falling from the sky before standing up. “Even after all these different planets that we’ve visited, I think that Earth really is among the most beautiful.”

I smile at Sully and say, “I’m ready now. Let’s go.”

Final Comments: I think that this quote could be interpreted in a number of different ways, but I saw it as us, humans, not really being ‘here’ on Earth, if that makes sense. I think that we take a lot of things for granted, such as our planet, and in that sense, we’re not really able to live in the moment and see all the beauty around us.

Overall Rating: 😮