Walking in the rain has always been one of my favorite things to do. Everything slows down and you feel like the only people in a space. While everyone is inside you get to experience places in near isolation, so i like to drive around to new places to experience this.

I was walking right down the middle of the street on a rainy afternoon. Some shops were open, and others had closed early. Just like i liked it. Greens just seem so much more vibrant in the rain. Beautiful oak trees lined the street on both sides with ornate street lamps. It was a sleepy little downtown road.

Kicking and stepping in puddles is a must if you are going to do it. I remember looking at this restaurant that was tucked slightly father back than the rest. It had a simple courtyard with string lights. Surprisingly i wondered how it looked on a sunny day to relax there and people watch. An equally great pasttime. There was a puddle nearly centered on the building and i walked over to step on it.

Immediately i experienced vertigo as if i did a sommersault while walking. The rain was gone but it was cloudy in a muted way, as if there was no sun beyond the clouds. I just found myself staring in confusion at the clouds, trying to determine what kind of light must be difusing within them.

“You ok there?” Suddenly sound seemed to return and i looked down to see a courtyard of people enjoying their day. A person on the sidewalk had stopped and was staring at me like a crazy person.

“Im gonna go with no im not ok” i said sounding dumbfounded. One moment we were alone in the rain and now im surrounded by people and you were gone.

“Well it would probable be a good idea to get out of the road unless you are looking for a new zipper”

Why would i be looking for a new zipper? It was the weirdest question but as i walked to the curb i noticed many people had them. Some covered forheads and limbs. Everyone had them in fact and various amounts of them. They seemed to be attached seamlessly with no bunching as if it were stitched on. It didnt seem like they slowed anyones movements down but how could zippers make any sense.

As i stepped on the side walk it seemed the person understood my confusion. “Yep you aren’t from around here are you?

“What would be your first guess” looking around as i sarcastically reaponded.

Laughing they said “well the reaction was a clue or the lack of zippers. Surprisingly it happens more often than youd think”

Looking back at him i got a better look. Minus the zippers he wouldnt seem out of place on any trendy street. He had a pair of casual sneakers and jeans with a band tshirt on. His curly brown hair bounced from the laughter and his light brown eyes gave off a warmth that the light didn’t show. He had a zipper on his temple and under his eye that for some reason didnt look that odd. “Wait what happens more often than id think?”

“People ending up on this side. Im mean we are clearly a bit different than you” he spread his arms out dramatically. “Probably wondering what the zippers are about”

“That and this weird weather. Any reason why it feels like there is no sun behind those clouds? And whats the deal with the zippers? Will you start bleeding if i pulled one?” I couldnt help thinking i could spill someones gutx completely on accident.

“No weirdo why would you try to unzip someone.” Stepping back away from me. “And to your light point you arent wrong. As far as we know its just clouds upon clouds up there and a light from your side passing through. As for the zippers its a quirk of our world that allows us super easy access to our internals with very little issues. You trip and fall you get a zipper. Slap it on the skin and your healed. Slap another next to it and it grows further along and closes up the problem. Even our internals can get zippers. Its pretty convenient compared to your side.”

“Man would that have saved me alot of time.” I Pointed to the very large acar running along the inside of my arm. Baseball injuries are not fun.

“Man thats weird how your side does things.” Shaking his head in disbelief “unfortunately you better step back through before you cant” he had pointed to the puddle still in the road. It seemed smaller than on my side. The realization came back and it was time to fet focused.

“What happens if i stay too long? Can i get a zipper and go back? I couldn’t help but wonder if it worked on the other side.

“First part if you let that puddle shrink you are stuck till you find another and who knows where it will connect. We don’t understand why they pop up but we do know it happens during active rain and when no ones around. At least based on the stories from anyone on your side.” He held up two fingers. “Second if you get a zipper you are here to stay. Which isnt a bad thing but theres alot more to our world that i dont have time to explain.” He point again to an even smaller puddle.

“Man i have so many questions but i guess nows not the time.” I had a good life minus the usual anyone goes through. Reaching out i shool his hand in thanks. “Hopefully i can find my way back someday under better circumstances but thank you”

He shook my hand back “no problem rain man” he winked. Stepping back through felt the same as before, my stomach did a flip and i was getting pelted by very light rain. “Maybe the rate of rain fall makes a difference.”

I still havent found my way back but on a nice light rainy day you can find me walking into puddles. I may have added an overnight bag to my trips out.