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It Looks Like Rain
By Julian Hietter
published in harvard book club march 30, 2022
July 5, 1994
I really hope it does not rain. Rain can be terribly detrimental to one’s person, and I have forgotten my umbrella. There is not a cloud in the sky, and my flat is only a few minutes more walk, but one can never be too careful when it comes to these sorts of things. Disaster can strike at any moment or whatever they say. Oh, I really do hope that it doesn't rain. I would be caught completely vulnerable, and heaven forbid, I could catch my death of cold. Oh, how I do wish I had remembered my bloody umbrella, it is so unlike me to forget such an essential; even to go to the market for biscuits, one must be prepared. I cannot wait until I am back soundly in my armchair with a hot cup o’ and a kind book. It cannot rain on me there.
Oh hello?!
I say!! Look out! Slow down you fool, STOPPPP!
The policeman says that he does not have an umbrella; told me I have no need for one seeing as it is July, and I must say I am absolutely terrified. This is the longest that I have been outdoors unprotected in nearly 20 years, and I know for certain that it will start raining and pouring and drenching my poor bones at any moment. I’m sure of it. And then I’ll catch my death of cold and they will have to add another casualty to the story in the Herald. The headline will read something like this “young mother and her two children killed in a tragic collision with a drunken bloke, sole witness forced to stay exposed to the elements and catches death of cold”. Blimey; It is unfortunate and all, it was quite unpleasant to watch the paramedics pull what was left of the family out of the crushed car and I really do feel quite sad, but as I explained to the officer, I am still in too much danger myself to properly process the situation and would like to go home where I am protected from the rain and begin the healing process in safety. But no, here I am completely vulnerable and helpless under the great expanse of sky, forced to wait around and talk to various constables and detectives while they “investigate” what happened. Doesn't seem to me that there is much to investigate. The bloke had too much to drink decided to get in a bloody car and BOOM hit some poor woman and her kids. Apparently, the drunk fellow was some sort of minister or such and this makes it a sensitive situation of some sort. They are probably trying to do a quick cover-up job as they do, but I want no part of it, especially while being in such great danger. I do wish they would let me be, it is so horribly negligent to put me in such danger.