It was fine at first

When the rain of their words first poured

And their insults were blades of glass

You were in the right then

Held up your umbrella above my head

Convinced the cold droplets to slide away

And now the rain has passed

But your umbrella is still held tight

I’m grateful for what you’ve done for me

But I miss my sunlight.

The sky broke open.

Black umbrellas brought shade.

The world darkens.

There, the earth has been unmade.

See where his body falls...

That day God cried.

Shadows streamed down the walls

When my brother died.

You can come stand

under my umbrella;

there's plenty of room.

And if it doesn't cover us both

as we walk side by side,

then I'll get rained on for you.

The fading sunlight bathed everything but us, protected by my quick thinking. My flesh still burned but it was worth a little death to see Josie’s adorable smile. She clung to my arm, and my undead heart shuddered as I felt her happily sigh. I only had foue more days with her before she went back to Chicago and I was destroyed again. She kissed my cheek, pulling me from the future.

“How many girls were you before me?” she asked.

“Oh, I dont know. Thousands.”

“Leta!” she yelled, smacking my shoulder.

“I mean, I had a couple dates here and there in the 1960s but I wasnt really allowed to be with anyone.”

“Because gay people weren’t allowed?”

“What? No. My mom just said no dating,” I said with a chuckle. “Vampires have been around so long that we don’t really give a damn about himan rules. Everything you all think you are breaking barriers with throuhh legislature has been normal for me since I was born.”

“Whoa. I wish I could be a vampire.”

A chill wriggled down my spine. The desire that humans had to be a vampire was beyond me. Living in the shadows, watching everyone you love dying, having to adjust your life and mindset every sixty years because of humans moving another inch towards equality. Josie stirred a bit and I remembered her being there. I tuned into her humming a Spanish song.

“What do you want to do when the sun goes down?” she asked.

“We could probably go to a diner.”

“Can you even eat real food?” she chuckled.

The more she talked, the more I was realizing we didn’t know each other. I sneezed. Josie moved away from me. I covered my mouth, though I was happy she had moved away. Her concerned look instantly made me recant that statement. Shw felt my forehead and looked worried.

"You shouldnt have come out so early, Aleta."

"No, its fine, really," I lied.

"It's not. Come on. I'll walk you home."

I ttied to protest but she pulled me to my feet and we walked through the Necropolis towards my house. Her hand was warm in mine, and she smelled like cinnamon. A breeze blew. The last time I felt this way about anyone was 1916 with Zachary Williams before he pretended he was eighteen and died in war. Neither of them could ever understsnd what it was like to be me, yet like with Zach, I could tell that she was trying. It made me not want to let go when we made it to my front door.

"You sure I can't stay?" she asked.

"My family would eat you alive," I joked.

She chuckled and kissed my cheek.

"Get some rest, okay?" she said.

I nodded and went inside, leaving her on my porch under my favorite blue umbrella.

eh,

eh,

you can stand under my umbrella,

eh,

eh,

eh,

eh,

eh,

under my umbrella,

eh,

eh,

eh,

eh,

eh,

eh

Under my umbrella,

I can see the rain drops,

And I can see the stars of the night sky.

Under my umbrella,

I can feel safe,

And keep dry from any rainy weather.

Under my umbrella,

I can smile at you,

And tell you that I love you.

As I sit with a book 

I can’t help but look 

Out the window at the pounding rain 

As relief runs through each and every vein

So now I sit and stare 

And wonder where oh where 

The rain is doing the most healing 

And now it gives me a warm feeling 

To know the rain will end the drought

Makes me want to thank and reach out 

To all the farmers out there 

Who will see the rain and shed a tear 

As the rain will end there struggle 

They can lay down there shovel 

And finally have a break

Maybe even a small piece of cake 

So I walk outside 

With a mighty big stride 

And under my umbrella I stand  

As I am grateful the rain will reach my land

For finally we have some rain 

Some rain to end this pain

Now I sit and stare 

For rain like this has become rare