L’ombrello rosso

Mia waits at a rainy bus stop with a bright red umbrella. She notices an elderly man without one and invites him to share her cover. They huddle close as cars splash past and the rain drums softly. 

 On the bus, they trade a few warm lines. Mia heads to the library to learn new words; he buys sandwiches for lunch. When the rain lightens, they part with a wave. Mia feels uplifted, her umbrella glowing like a small sun.