Quintessentially Quilly

It’s April 15th! The taxman may have let you off the hook until Monday, but I won’t! I hope you’ve published your story and come to link up! Your assignment was to write a complete story in 500 words or less using the scenario below to kick-start your thinking.

As we all know, “April showers bring May flowers”. This month’s story should include a sudden rain fall and a recalcitrant umbrella. And, since this is National Poetry Month, your story should include a bit of poetry. You can write it yourself or use somebody else’s (be sure to give credit where credit is due); it can rhyme or not; as you wish. See you on the 15th!

A Rainy Romance

“Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day!” MaryJane mumbled as she stood just inside the entrance to the Mall. When she’d come into work it had been a bright, sunny day, now the laden gray skies poured rain. What a dismal way to end the day. She looked down at her leather pumps and her cashmere two-piece. If she waded into the parkinglot, she might as well kiss her sweater set and shoes good-by.

A quick glance at her watch informed her that she was running out of time. Could she carry her high heels and dash to the car, or try to get to Sears and buy a pair of tennis shoes and an umbrella? Maybe she could just buy an umbrella and carry her shoes to the car? It would be cold but her heater worked and she’d warm quickly.

This was only her third day working at Vanderdorf Jewelry and she wouldn’t get paid for another two weeks. Unemployment had gutted her savings account. There was no room in her budget for even a cheap umbrella, but she certainly couldn’t replace her sweater set and her professional wardrobe was already pitifully small.

“Hey, you’re the new clerk at Vanderdorf’s, aren’t you? I’m Wilson Miles. We met at the bank on your first day. Remember?”

MaryJane remembered him all right. Tall and broad shouldered, he was built more like an athlete than a bank manager. She looked up at him and a shock went through her, just like it did the first time she looked into his stunning blue eyes. She smiled, hoping she didn’t look as star struck as she felt. The man was gorgeous! “Of course I remember you, Mr. Miles,” she said. “My name is –”

“MaryJane. All one word, no space.” He grinned as he took her hand and repeated what she’d said when her Jason Vanderdorf had introduced her at the bank and authorized her to make the store deposits. “And please, call me Will. William is my grandfather’s name.”

MaryJane smiled. “Thank you.” His hand was firm and warm. She released it reluctantly. “We’re very formal at the jewelry store. I’m not certain Mr. Vanderdorf would approve me using your first name.”

Will smiled and indicated the umbrella in his right hand. “You can call me, Mr. Miles at work, but if you want to share this with me, you’ll need to call me Will.”

It seemed a small price to pay for coverage from the rain. MaryJane smiled. “Thank you, Will.” Then she remembered her shoes and glanced down at her feet. “I think I’m going to try to wait the storm out,” she said.

“Then you’ll still be standing here tomorrow morning,” he answered. “I have an idea. I’ll go get my car and pull it to the curb, then you can step right in without getting wet at all.”

“You’re going to drive me to my car?” MaryJane exclaimed. How incredibly sweet.

“Well, I was kind of hoping you’d let me take you to Donovan’s for dinner first,” he said.

A thrill curled through MaryJane’s stomach and she smiled. “That sounds wonderful, Will.”