Everything Is Blue

Chapter 26

The empty streets of St. Canard were dark and stained with rain. Neon lights from the city reflected off the large puddles of water. Love is a sham, Bud always said. It wasn't real. People were too cruel to ever actually love another. It was all a scam, so companies could sell cards and flowers. Make a profit. That's all it was good for.

Yet here he stood in the pouring rain. The cold , freezing rain. A bouquet of sunflowers in his hand and his heart in the other. He pushed through the downpour to see Kimbra. Had to park a few blocks down, but he didn't mind (or so he said).

Because he wanted to see her. He promised. Swore that he wouldn't miss it. When she asked him if he wanted to have dinner with her tonight at her place, he promised to be there.

He could not miss it.

A flash of lightning lit the dark night, startling the businessman.

The weather report promised a day of sunshine and welcoming weather. That turned out to be far from the truth. Dan Gander missed the mark this time, which was on par for the man. He'd say it'd be sunny, but then it would rain all day. Bud didn't know why the guy was still on the air. People usually watched Tom Lockjaw on Channel 3 anyway.

Bud's pace through GraStone Village remained slow as he looked for Kimbra's apartment number. Bland wooden doors lined each side of the hallway. Three large black numbers were on the front of each door. The further he walked, the higher the number.

380

385

His wet shoes squeaked as he walked down the hall. The sound irritated him, but he couldn't do much about it.

390

The grip on the bouquet tightened, as Bud worried what Kimbra's reaction would be to him being soaking wet from head to toe. She wouldn't appreciate him tracking water all over her floor. Maybe she'd make a snarky remark about him being too cheap to buy an umbrella. Or that he didn't have to shower with his clothes on.

395

Almost there.

402

Bud stopped in front of the door. He knocked twice as water dripped from his body and clothes. He wished he had brought an umbrella. By the time he realized the rain wouldn't let up, it was already too late. He had to push through it and hope for the best.

The sound of footsteps approached the door and stopped. A voice on the other side was muttering while fiddling with the lock. The door opened, and Kimbra popped her head out. Her expression started out as joyful, but then turned to horror when she saw how drenched her boyfriend was.

"Bud! You're soaking wet! Come in and let me get you a towel before you catch a cold." The Samoyed swung the door open wider before disappearing into the apartment.

Bud brushed the raindrops from his jacket before stepping in. He shut the door behind him and grimaced at the water getting all over the floor. Thankfully, Kimbra soon emerged from the hallway.

A towel in hand, she took the flowers from the salesman. "Here's a towel. You can leave your coat on the rack."

"Uh..." Bud accepted the towel and began drying his hair. "What about the rest of my clothes, I don't want to ruin your floor or anything."

She thought for a moment. "Take them off."

Bud stopped drying his hair, still holding it against his head. "What?" His posture stiffened, not knowing what Kimbra meant by that.

"Take them off, I have clothes you can wear."

Oh. He swallowed and took a deep breath.

"I doubt that."