Summer Storm – A MicroStory

by Jen Telger

     Raindrops slammed into the ground as if fired from a shotgun, each drop exploding like a land mine, carving its own crater in the dirt. Anthony was grateful for the flexible green canopy above his head, knowing it would bend, but was unlikely to break. This wasn’t his first summer storm, but it was the most violent. His stomach churned with equal parts nerves and excitement.

     “I told you we shoulda listened to mom,” his older sister shouted at him. “She’s going to be worried. If I pull extra chores, I’m going to pound you!”

     “I didn’t make you come with me, Ameise! You could’ve run along home like a good little girl. I would’ve been fine.”

     “Right. And get in trouble for letting you out of my sight? No, thank you.”

     The deafening rain ran off the canopy in a steady, threatening rush, splattering them with mud from top to toes. What began as a small rivulet in the dirt soon became a crisis. Anthony cast a calculating eye toward the gathering river rushing past.

     “Run for it?” he hollered.

     “Are you crazy?!”

     “Well, we can’t stay here!”

     Ameise thought for a moment.

     “I have a better idea. Help me tear this down!”

     Though at odds, they worked together to tear down the bouncy green canopy. It gave way with a mighty rip, strings dangling off the torn end.

     “Now what?” Anthony asked, hoping that didn’t conclude Ameise’s plan.

     “Now we throw it into the stream and ride home!”

     “For real??”

     “You got a better idea?”

     “No, I – I just never thought you would do anything that cool, is all.”

     “Shows what you know, helmet head. Three…two…one…GO!“

     Throwing the canopy into the rushing water, they lunged toward their makeshift raft, rolling to a stop in as they landed in the middle. They glanced at each other, grinning.

     “Yeah-haaa! That was siiick!” Anthony pumped his fists as Ameise rolled her eyes, feigning boredom while thirlled to be cool in the eyes of her annoying little brother.

     “Yeah, well, we’re not done, dork. We still have to jump back off this thing.”

     They crouched together, waiting, keeping a lookout for their hill as grass whizzed past and rocks came within inches of gashing the side of their vessel.

     “There!” Anthony cried, grabbing his sister’s hand. They braced. “Ready…set…JUMP!“

     Their feet parted ways with the floor, and the rushing water swept the leaf boat downstream. Anthony cartwheeled through the air and landed with a thud, tumbling head-over-heels to the entrance of their home. Ameise, however, landed gracefully, a sure sign this hadn’t been her first float home.

     She strutted past her brother into their anthill, confident his astonished face would be worth any punishment.