I've lived in Vancouver long enough to be used to the rain, even joining with so many in not bothering with an umbrella when it only falls slightly heavier than a mist. However the winter storms can be deceptively fierce, and move in awfully quickly. Unprepared one can find oneself drenched to the bone.
Even with my small umbrella I was getting that way, working my way from awning to awning through the forest of downtown buildings to avoid even a little of the wind driven rain. That's when our paths first crossed, her looking out from under an awning, smiling up at the falling rain. Already soaked through, she was getting wetter still as she waited, the wind sending the rain careening under the overhang to her feet.
"I don't want to interrupt your enjoyment of the rain, but could I offer to walk you to the next building?" I asked, holding my umbrella in a friendly gesture.
She turns to me with a slightly startled look, then her smile returns, "That would be kind of you, thanks. I can rarely resist offers of chivalry."
"It's going to rain much harder before it clears."
Her smile warms as she stands close to me, huddling under the umbrella as we step out into the rain. As we cross the street a gust of wind blows at us, turning the umbrella inside out and spraying our faces with rain, then subsides, the umbrella fortunately recovering its proper orientation.
As we reach the other side and take cover next to the building she places her hand over mine, holding the umbrella towards her just a little. "You're right, it is getting stormier."
Her hand is cold to the touch -- it sends shivers through me feeling skin so cold. "You're freezing cold -- we should get you inside to warm up." Reaching up with my other hand and placing it on her cheek, I find it almost as cold. Looking across the street I spot one of the small downtown hotels, a cozy bar on the ground floor.
"Can I take you in there?" I ask, receiving a nod in agreement. Once more into the rain we cross the street during a break in traffic, I fold my umbrella and guide her into the building lobby.
"I would suggest a drink in the bar, but your clothes are soaked. We could go upstairs first to dry off and warm up?"
"That's a very nice idea," she answers, a slightly flirtatious turn to her smile.