Green Like Nature, Wet Like Rain

“In other news, Weather Officials are warning everyone to stay indoors as much as possible. While the tropical storm shows no signs of ending soon, the city warns against unnecessary travel…”

             The news faded into the background as Tanya sat on her dining room windowsill. Another day filled with rain. Just as the last one had been, and the one before that, and the one before that. It had been raining for a week before the “storm” hit. Tanya wasn’t sure how the weather channel decided what to categorize as a storm and what was normal “rain”, but she knew she was tired of staying inside.

             “Tanya!” called her mother. Her sigh fogged the window as she huffed moving to her feet.

             “Yes!” she called making her way through the buckets and towels catching the stray droplets. They had just moved into the rickety house her mother had insisted was a “fresh start”.

             “All it needs is a fresh coat of paint and it’ll be brand new,” she had said. Tanya knew better than to voice her disapproval. Besides, it would give her mother something to do besides bug her all day. But with this rain, she was back to being the center of the woman’s focus.

             “Yes Mama?” she questioned poking her head in the work room that was strictly off limits.

             “Can you pass me that can of paint please?” Her mom was dressed as usual in washed-out overalls covered in paint. The can she pointed at was filled with a dark green color that had Tanya scrunching her nose.

             “I hope this isn’t for my room,” she muttered stepping carefully around the already refurnished pieces.

             “Oh hush,” her mother scolded. “Green was my favorite color you know. The color of nature and life flourishing.” Tanya nodded while handing her the bucket. She stood for a while at the edge while her mother began painting the wood with light streaks of forest green. Secretly she enjoyed watching her mother paint. It was one of the few times she could take her in. The locs piled high up on her head and the crinkle of frown lines as she concentrated on her task. It was like taking a picture as she committed to memory the look of her mother. The moment wouldn’t last, they never did. Soon she’d be shooed from the room when her mother remembered she was there.

             “What are you doing out there?" Tanya jumped as her mother spoke. Her brown eyes fixed her with a look before going back to painting. Tanya shrugged as she looked at the drying pieces off to the side.

             “Watching the storm,” she responded nonchalantly, her heart racing as her mother went off script. She hummed before dropping the brush back in the can.

             “You don’t want to play in the rain?” she asked.

Tanya looked in disbelief, “Play in the storm?”

“Yeah, my siblings and I used to take our rain boots and go dance in the rain. Feel the earth beneath your toes.” Tanya blanched as she shook her head.

“What about your hair?” she asked incredulously. There was no way Granny would’ve allowed that, but her mother merely laughed.

“Who do you think opened the door?” Tanya watched with her mouth open. “Maybe I did you a disservice keeping you inside. Nature ought to be felt, little one.” She frowned at the nickname and glared at the stack of different colored paint cans in the corner.

“I can enjoy nature just fine from inside,” Tanya said, lifting her chin. Her mother only smirked as she shook her head.

“One day you’ll realize that life moves too quickly to not enjoy the small moments,” her mother said softly. Tanya scrunched her brows but before she could ask for an explanation she was interrupted. “Grab a brush and help me paint.”

Her eyes widened at the command; her heart skipped a beat as she thought she misheard. She paused as her mother looked at her with sincerity, and soon Tanya was moving through the room at lightning speed grabbing a brush and settling at her mother’s side. Finally, she thought. Who cared if it was an ugly green.

“Now start here, gently,” her mother guided. The brush felt foreign in her hand as she dabbed at the prepped wood with the green paint. Her hands shook as she moved the liquid up and down, from one side to the other. Continuous even strokes until her section was covered.

“Not bad,” her mother said. Pride filled her chest as she smiled.

“It’s almost as good as yours,” she bragged putting her brush back in the can. Her mother merely laughed as she looked over her painting job.

“Not quite, but you’re getting—” A sudden crash from outside the room tore their attention away from the pieces of wood. A terrifying howl whipped around them as doors slammed shut and the sounds of glass were breaking.

“Mama,” Tanya whispered gripping the back of worn overalls.

“It’s alright little one,” her mother said. Though she could hear the fear her voice held. Slowly she stood dropping the paint brush in her hand before making her way to the door. The howling and crashes only got worse as the house groaned around them.

“Stay here until I tell you so,” she didn’t have to tell her twice. Soon she was alone, her mother had opened the door, straining against an invisible force. The sound of her breathing filled the room as she twisted her hands worried about what could have possibly happened.

“Tanya!” her mother shouted. “The window broke, bring me a box, we need to seal it!” A sigh of relief rushed through her. Looking around for a box she panicked when she saw none. Groaning she remembered that they were all in the garage awaiting to be picked up by the trashmen when there wasn’t a tropical storm raging through their city. So instead, she picked up the next best thing. Forcing the door open took more effort than she thought and when it slammed shut behind her, she jumped back as she made her way towards the howling wind. Pieces of glass and broken china covered the floor.

“Tanya, quickly!” her mother gestured towards her holding a large roll of duct tape.

“The cardboards are in the garage,” she breathed rushing towards the same windowsill she had sat at moments before. A fleeting feeling of irony rushed through her as she held up the piece of wood they had just painted together. Her mother nodded and merely instructed her to hold it as steadily as she could against the wind and rain.

“Almost done, little one,” her mother said. She gritted her teeth as the wind pushed her back. “Okay!” her mother suddenly exclaimed.

Sighing she took a step back looking at the shoddy work that was keeping the wind out. The green stood out against the brown walls that surrounded them. Wincing as she nearly stepped on the broken glass, she looked at her mother who was surveying the damage.

“Are you hurt?” she was asked. Tanya shook her head, her gaze caught the book she had long abandoned damp by the onslaught of rain. She was enveloped in a rough hug for a moment. The hum of the TV could still be heard as more warnings against leaving one’s home were being given. A kiss was placed at her temple before she felt a tight squeeze and she was let go.

“Let me grab the broom so we can clean this up, yeah?” she told her. Tany nodded and stood in her spot as her mother rummaged in the closet looking for something to sweep away the damage. Outside the wind was still howling beating at the heavy piece of wood. Rain swirled and fell in harsh lines and graceful sweeps. It was enticing, she could see how one could go play. But for today she was glad she had stayed inside painting away the day.