Rainy Savior

The rain made Miles vigilant. Vigilant for any wandering animal taking shelter from the rain. Armed with a large umbrella and over sized coat, he hurried to work from school. He kept his eyes open for soggy animals. What he didn't expect was to find Ramona hiding under an awning. Various places of her school uniform drenched in water, namely her behind.

"Tripped into puddles," he guessed as he approached, covering her with his umbrella. She looked over to him in surprise, then looked up at the umbrella. She then took his arms in her hands, tucking herself into his side.

"Thank you," she whispered, burying her head into his shoulder. Her cheeks were already red, whether from the cold or embarrassment, he couldn't say. He smiled and led her out from under the awning, down to Tormino's.

"If you don't mind my asking, why didn't you bring an umbrella today?"

"It flew away," she whimpered, peeking her head out to answer before tucking it back in.

Miles nodded; the wind had been a little harsh in some areas of his walk. He hoped he hadn't missed any animals when he was fighting the wind.

"Let's get you to work," he announced, quickening the pace as the rain came a little harder than before. Ramona clung to Miles even tighter, preventing him from leaving her behind. Her body dug into his side, making something inside Miles flop around like a fish out of a fishbowl.

Miles pulled them through the parking lot and into the safety of the restaurant. Cyrus stood ready at the door with two towels and a bag. He draped the towels on Miles' shoulder next to Ramona's head.

"Stop dripping on the floor. Leave your umbrella in here and go dry off in the break room," he ordered. He took Miles' closed umbrella before shoving them into the break room, vacant of staff.

Miles dropped his book bag from his free arm. He then used one of the towels given to dry his hair before blotting the hem of his jacket. Without thinking, he took the other towel and was about to blot Ramona's hair. She grabbed the towel out of his hand and ran to the girls’ changing room. Miles looked puzzled but proceeded to blot out the rest of his clothes.

Ramona had found Leigha changing in the break room, sliding her sweater on her arms.

"Hey Ramona, you and Miles make it in?"

Ramona nodded, turning towards the locker to change as Leigha left the small area.

Miles frowned as his sister entered the break room, taking a seat at the table.

"I thought you would have left by now."

She shrugged, gazing out the window. "Waiting until the rain eases up a little."

Miles looked out the window still seeing the rain pouring.

"Suit yourself."

He retreated to the men's changing room, the door clicking shut as Ramona's opened. Leigha looked back to see the quiet girl look to the boys’ room. Her uniform was dry, but her hair still damp.

"Need help?"

Ramona looked to Leigha, surprised she was still there.

"Where's Anita?" she whispered.

"Anita had to go on ahead for a date with Norman. I stayed a little late to make sure Miles got here safe."

Ramona smiled at the floor, glad to see Leigha cared for her brother despite his complaints.

"Let me fix your hair," Leigha offered, pulling a hairbrush out of her purse. Ramona nodded, sitting down as Leigha swiveled to face Ramona's back. Leigha continued sorting through her bag until she found a hair tie. She proceeded to brush Ramona's hair while blotting the wet ends.

"Thank you."

"No problem. It's selfish of me, but I've always liked long hair, especially playing with it."

"Why don't you have your hair long then?"

"Thought it was too much of a hassle, especially with these curls. With the time spent doing my hair, I could do other things, according to Mom. And I followed along."

Ramona tried to picture the Dr. Sonata she had met. From what she remembered, their mother's hair was short and thick. The same thickness as all her children, but Leigha's hair was a little lighter in color. All three Sonatas had the same eyes, but Dr. Sonata wore glasses.

"Do you wear glasses?" asked Ramona. Leigha's grip on Ramona's hair loosened as she laughed.

"What brought that up?"

"Oh, um, Miles and I met your mom at Christmas time. I thought you all have the same eye color, but she wears glasses."

The tight pull-on Ramona's hair resumed after a moment.

"Reading glasses for now when it gets late. But I might have to wear glasses later. I think Miles will look great in glasses down the road. Even our dad has them, so it's probably inevitable."

Ramona blushed, imagining a very mature Miles in glasses and a lab coat examining a dog he found.

"And done."

Ramona turned, a tail following her movement. She felt her hair seeing as Leigha had plaited her hair into a sweeping side braid.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"No problem, as I said, I like playing with long hair. Playing with yours and Anita's is a treat."

"Maybe you could become a hairstylist if you like it so much?"

"Maybe."

The door to the men's room opened. Miles, stepping out, mostly dry with a few stray wet strands of hair. The way it was plastered on his head or fraying in various directions gave him a dreamy look.

"Took you long enough," his sister teased.

"My bag was wetter than I thought," he grumbled as he walked out of the break room.

"Nice braid, Ramona," he complimented in passing, turning the girl red as he left the room.

"As I said before, I one hundred percent support you if you date my brother."

"Leigha," the embarrassed girl whined. Leigha's encouragement did nothing to lessen the red on her face.

"Go out there and own it, he might turn to mush if you do."

"O-own it?"

"Be confident. New do's give girls confidence."

"Confidence?"

Leigha took Ramona's hands in hers.

"Confidence."

"Confidence," Ramona confirmed, taking a deep breath before stepping out of the break room to join the floor staff.

"Cute hairstyle Ramona," complimented Sierra, calling out from the kitchen window.

"Thank you," she responded, tripping over her feet when she turned to look at Sierra, only for Miles to catch her. They both looked at each other, Ramona remembering Leigha's words.

"Looks like I fell for you," she responded with a wink.

Miles turned bright red, Ramona turning equally red at what she had said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…it's just, I'm sorry!" She ran out of the bar area to hide, the other staff looking on for a moment before going back to work.

Leigha caught Ramona before she made her escape into the changing room.

"Smooth girl, I told you a new do gives confidence."

"Confidence or the ability to do something stupid."

"Well, you stupefied Miles, so confident."

Ramona looked up at Leigha, who was directed over to the side near the bar, only to find Miles right where she had left him.

"Do that line a couple more times without the apologizing part afterward, and we are good to go, sister-in-law."

"Leigha!"