The Edge of the RAIN by Patrick Councilor
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Inspired by and dedicated to Kristen Marino.
Believe it or not, every rain storm has an edge. It's almost like a curtain of rain where the rain falls and where it doesn't. Sometimes it's not that apparent where that edge is and sometimes it is. Some may run away from it to keep dry and warm. Others may know that the edge of a rainstorm is far from stable and will move at a moment's notice. These people may take precaution, but either way, they are more prepared to accept the outcome. Then there are those who will do the unexpected and will run into the storm and play in it. Some consider them crazy or unstable. Others call them impulsive and fun.
Mr. and Mrs. Stimms didn't need a couple's therapist and Doctor Niles Crane had noted that to them on many occasions. But they still came on a weekly basis to complain about the little idiosyncrasies of their marriage. They were blessed people who would never complain about things so miniscule again had their marriage ever faced real problems. They weren't appreciating what they had in each other and enjoying life like they should. Some people seem to be more comfortable complaining and wouldn't actually know what to do if they didn't have anything to complain about. Yet they were the type of people who would find things to complain about. If everything was going their way, they would complain that the good things didn't come along when they were needed.
Niles' phone rang during the session, which surprised him. His secretary knew that he was not to be disturbed while in session. He snatched up the receiver before it had the chance to ring again. "Yes."
"Doctor Crane, I'm sorry to interrupt your session, but your son is here?"
"Ms. Scott, have him wait for me."
"Doctor Crane, I think you need to come speak with your son."
"Alright." He hung up. "I am so sorry. I need to step out into the lobby for just a moment. I will be right back."
"I hope you're going to deduct this time from our bill."
"Of course Mr. Stimms, without a doubt. Please excuse me."
He went out into the lobby, where his son was dressed in his deep blue three-piece suit. He was pacing back and forth.
He turned when he saw his father and embraced him. "Dad."
"David, what is wrong?"
But his son didn't answer him. His breathing was erratically.
"Son, are you alright?"
When David pulled away, Niles saw the expression on his son's face. He hadn't seen his son like this since he was just ten years old when he was being bullied on the school bus.
"Come over here." Niles let him into a conference room and closed the door behind them. "David, talk to me. What is going on?"
"I found her Dad. I finally found her. And everything was perfect. It was heaven on earth. Dad can you imagine that?"
"Very much so. I'm happy for you son."
"It was just too good to be true. Just as I found the woman of my life, it ended. It's completely over."
"David, I know how devastating this must feel, but everything is going to be alright." Niles knew his son well and he had never seen him like this. He had never worn his heart on his sleeve. He was a professional and highly respected industrial designer. One of the best in Seattle. Niles had never witnessed him this passionate about anyone. "Take a deep breath. Do you want something to drink?"
"Do you have any sherry?"
He smiled at his son's request. It was a delicate situation and Niles knew that David was there to be heard more so than to be seeking advice. "I wish I had more time. I want to give you my full attention, but I have a session I have to get back to."
"No, Dad, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so impulsive with this. I'm sorry… This isn't like me, is it?"
"Don't worry about it and don't be sorry. That's one of the biggest reasons I'm here on this planet; to be there for you."
"I shouldn't have come." He started for the door. "I'll go. I'll call you later."
Niles glanced at his watch. "Café Nervosa in two hours."
David stopped and turned. "Alright. Thanks Dad."
"No problem. And I'm buying all the coffee you can drink."
He smiled and gave his father a hug. "Thanks Dad. If you have the time, it's a long story."
"I always have time for you."
"Thanks pop."
"Oh, and I'll call your mother. You'll have dinner with us afterwards."
"Sounds wonderful."
"You alright?"
David took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'll be alright." Perhaps one day… perhaps one day he would be.
Niles finished his other sessions and couldn't wait to get to Café Nervosa to speak with his son. He had already spoken with Daphne and she would have dinner ready and waiting for them when they arrived.
The crowd at Nervosa was quite light for an afternoon, which suited Niles just fine. The lighter the crowd the better. It would make for their conversation to be that much more private. He took a table, wiping down the seat before taking it, and waited to order with his son present.
Wow, Café Nervosa. He had spent so much time here. The conversations he and Frasier used to have.
After fifteen minutes, he decided to order his double espresso. David is rarely more than five minutes late. His mind started to wonder down the alleyways of his profession. Was David taking this much harder than he had let onto. As a professional psychiatrist, Niles started to recall everything that David had told him about meeting this girl. Perhaps there was something that wasn't considered in this story that could shed light on things somehow…