He waved not knowing if she could see him. The red umbrella slowly tilted upward. Mitch could see rain drops bounce off it.

Mitch was cold, wet and without a jacket but could not take his eyes off the park entrance. Someone was standing there, right in between the metal gates with a big, dark-red umbrella. It was a girl or perhaps a small woman with the umbrella partially covering her face. Mitch decided to wait outside under the eaves a little longer. The big chocolate lab approached and sat down in front of her. It looked up at her as its tail dragged back and forth on the wet pavement. She made no attempt to pet it. She didn’t move. Was she afraid, or was it something else? Mitch wanted to know. He waved not knowing if she could see him. The red umbrella slowly tilted upward. Mitch could see rain drops bounce off it. The rain clouds grew darker.