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I checked the forecast. It calls for a thunderstorm tomorrow afternoon.

When I wake in the morning, the evening humidity still lingers. The mist left droplets on my car and I have to turn my headlights on to see ten feet ahead. I look up and I can see the sun burning off the clouds. It will be sunny out after all. I pull out my sunglasses and slide them on my face. Ahh! the fresh spring air! I pull over and take the top off my car. It is so convenient how it fits in my trunk. The morning flies by and the sun shines down on this beautiful day!

It is one of those days. The sky is full of its brilliance of blue. The sun sits high above and its warmth radiates down. I can feel it on my shoulders and the cool wind in my face. The roads are clear. I can almost feel the heat absorbed in them. Down the country roads the trees wave me by and the river winds underneath. It's me, the radio, the open road, and this beautiful day.

I continue driving around and I don't want to stop. My route avoids traffic lights and stop signs. I want to keep going and going. I know I can't; the gas tank won't fill itself. And in this town, in this area, lights and signs are all too abundant to avoid. If I have to chose, I'd rather stop at a sign than at a light. I see them everywhere. Too many people are at the traffic lights and they take forever to switch to green. The stop signs are brief and simple. I like that style.

The road seems endless like the sky. Lost in driver hypnosis I pass through the stop signs. No one is around, no one knows. I look to the sky. A dark luminous cloud invaded my forever blue. It must be the storm from the forecast. It appears to be some distance off yet and I turn my car toward home. I am not sure how far away I am, nor how much time I have before the cloud lets loose. I keep checking for the monster in my rearview mirror like a cop is following me. Is it gone yet? No, it continues to drive closer as home seems further.

I feel the cool drops on my arms. I can see them on my windshield. Before I have time to fathom the storm, I find my body and car soaked. I pull to the side of the road and put my top back on. I am minutes from home. This road is familiar though I don't drive it often. The lightning strikes and the wind howls. Thunder rattles the windows. The rain pelts down and the drops jump up as they hit the road. My wipers can't keep up. I guess the Rain-X® doesn't work either. Limbs fall around me. The road is a mess. I feel like I can reach up and touch the clouds. Soaked and alone I make it home.

Why did my serene day turn stormy? Why did I let myself get caught in this storm? Why did I not return home earlier? Why does it seem like the storm came out of nowhere? I knew better to believe the day would continue to be gorgeous and perfect. Why did I ignore the stop signs? Was it because no one was around to stop me? What was the purpose of checking the forecast if I didn't follow it? Will another day like this one ever come again? Hopefully without the thunderstorm…

At home I remove my wet clothes and climb into some dry sweats. A cup of tea warms my hands and calms my spirits. I collect my thoughts for the day. The ride was wonderful until the storm hit. It changed the scenery. Trees that waved me pass are missing limbs. The river that winds underneath the road runs deeper now. The sky is dark and cloudy. My sheets encase me like a cocoon as rain continues to run down the side of the house. The remnants of the storm carry me into a restless sleep.