Darrell
The rain started around 6 p.m. At first it was a soft patter against the windows. Then it grew heavier until it sounded like someone was throwing handfuls of gravel at the glass. I stood at the kitchen counter pouring coffee and listened to the storm build outside. The house felt too quiet without her. I had grown used to having Bella here on some evenings. Her laugh would echo in the hallway. Her bare feet would pad across the floor. She would curl against me on the couch like she belonged there.
I missed her tonight.
I set the mug down, picked up my phone, and dialed her number. It rang twice before I opened the front door. I intended to drive over to campus and surprise her.
But she was already there.
Bella stood on my porch, soaked through. Her hoodie clung to her body. Da
