The Secret

"It's going to rain. We better stay home."

"But it's not raining yet."

"But it will."

"How do you know?"

"Well, just look at the sky. Clouds everywhere, darkening clouds."

"But the clouds are moving, on their way to the Dakotas--or Iowa--somewhere. I think we should go."

Long pause. "Well . . . okay . . . but then let's drive."

"Drive! Drive a mile--less than a mile."

"Closer to two. One and a half for sure."

"We have umbrellas."

"What if there is wind?"

"We have raincoats with a hood."

"It's a strong wind--a gale force wind."

"And a sense of adventure."

"What?"

"I said we have a sense of adventure. It was the first thing I noticed about you, liked about you."

"What?"

"Don't you remember? I was standing at the doorway of old Main Hall, wondering if it was going to rain, clutching my books like an oversized school girl and you said to me--a complete stranger, 'Come on--let's go for it.'"

"'But it's going to rain,'" I said. "'A free bath,' you said and grabbed my books, took my hand and we ran for it."

"So?"

"So, let's get going." 

She grabs his hand and before he has time to think or resist he is moving, running . . .  an old man stumbling after an old woman, both of them short of breath and laughing as if they have just discovered, rediscovered, the secret to life . . .

. . . which, in fact, they have.