Rainy Little Paws

I watched the sky outside slowly shift to a dark and dreary gray, tuning out the noise of the meeting. It was just another standard meeting, don't do stupid crap, make sure your kids are learning, keep your classroom clean. They did this nearly every week, but I had hoped to get home early today. But seeing as how the rain was coming in quickly, and how long meetings usually take, I'd have to push this back yet again. I checked my watch. 5:14pm. 

"Dammit." I whispered to myself. This meeting was taking longer than it should have, and here we are, watching the Assistant Principal ramble on about Trash Cans! I inhaled sharply and stood up. All eyes turned towards me. "I have something important that just came up." I announced, and quickly departed. I knew that I would get a lecture on Monday, but I hated having to sit there. 

I sighed as I stepped outside. Rain was pouring down in sheets, and I had parked in the back today. I checked the time again. 5:17pm, the shelter closed at 6, there was no way I could wait for this rain to end! Steeling myself, I dashed out into the freezing rain. It quickly soaked my shirt as I sprinted between cars. Then I saw mine, and I pulled my keys from my pocket. Scrambling with them, I forced the key into the door, opening it as soon as it unlocked. Safe.

My car wasn't warm by any means, but it certainly wasn't as cold as outside. I clicked the key in the ignition, and listened to the car start, slumping in the driver's seat. Fumbling with my phone, I opened Google Maps and input the shelter address. The app whirred away and pulled up directions. "Turn right at the next intersection." So I followed the instructions, and slowly made my way to the shelter. The rain was falling so hard that it became hard to see, and at one point I pulled over in a parking lot. I checked my watch, 5:48pm. I groaned. I wouldn't be able to make it in this rain.

I slouched in my car seat and stared out the window at the almost gray world before me. I had planned to go to the shelter today to try and pet some of the cats. Maybe find out exactly what I'd need for one. I heard that there's a breed of cat, with legs so short, it looks like a caterpillar! When one of my students showed me her cat, I couldn't believe how short it was. But they seemed cute, and snugly. As much as I don't want to admit it, I feel like I need some sort of companionship at home. It's always so empty and cold, which is fine with me! But maybe the cat could come with me to school one day, cheer up the students.

"Maybe tomorrow..." I sighed, and relaxed into the car seat, because there was no way I could drive home in this rain.