[ WP ] `` It 's just the rain ''

I'd always maintained that a little bit of water did n't matter. 
 
 `` It's just the rain.'' I'd proclaim arrogantly, `` A little water wo n't hurt you.'' 
 
 I'd happily wandered through forests of umbrellas feeling confidently smug at my free hands and damp hair, if not slightly apprehensive at the occasional threat of a rogue eye-gouging from an errant brolly. 
 
 Headphones were always left smugly sat atop my head in a downpour, never once betraying their deliverance of music despite the liquid barrage that would attempt to disrupt a playlist. 
 
 I forever indulged in the painterly atmosphere that a shower at dusk would indulge me with, getting lost in the fresh smells of a glistening concrete jungle. I never cared if my jacket or pants got a little damp from sitting on a dew-covered bench. 
 
 Rain always brought back memories of my childhood, spent adamantly attempting to empty all puddles of their contents using nothing more than the bottom of my Wellingtons and a lot of vigour. 
 
 This, though... this was different. I stared in disbelief at my hands, not fully comprehending what my complacency had let happen. How could I be this stupid? 
 
 Carefully crafted handwritten words gave way to a vague blue smudge on the upper right of the paper. All the effort and care that had gone into the crafting of this personal, heartfelt creation meant only for me was slowly dissolving into the fibre. 
 
 What possessed me to leave this in the pocket of my blazer? I did n't even *need* to come here for lunch. How could I forget something so dear to me in these conditions? 
 
 The last picture my daughter ever drew for me.
