When we reached the door, we realized it was a holiday and the City Hall was closed. I even faintly heard Caleb sigh with relief, even though his brows were furrowed. He must have been hallucinating from staying up all night.
I said weakly, "Maybe next time, I'll go back now."
He responded softly, "Okay, next time there definitely won't be any mistakes."
Then he turned to leave. I felt a tightness in my chest; his words made it seem as if I hadn't checked the time and wasn't prepared.
The already gloomy sky couldn't hold back any longer and within moments, large raindrops began to fall. We were frozen in place by this sudden turn of events.
Luckily, I always carry an umbrella. He knew that too and looked at me. In that instant our eyes met, memories flooded back. The image of that thinly dressed boy, soaked by the rain, turning to look at me, overlapped with my own now.
Overwhelmed by emotion, I blurted out, "Remember when we first met...?"
"I lent you my umbrella. I told Michele I'd take her out to play at four o'clock."