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Lily’s face lit up with excitement, and she turned to me, her eyes sparkling. “Dee, can we still play in the rain?”
I glanced up at the sky, feeling a mischievous grin tug at the corners of my lips. “Absolutely! Rainy days are meant for adventure. Let’s make the most of it!”
We dribbled the ball around the field, forced to keep our heads down in order to be able to see. Lily kicked the ball hard. I chased after it and slid, falling into a spot that was less grass and more mud.
“Are you okay?” Lily ran over.
I laughed and got to my feet, trying to wipe the mud from my jeans. “Yes. Careful, it’s a little slippery.”
Lily started to giggle, kicking the ball around the field. I chased her like we were in a game and she was about to make a goal. We both kicked at the same time. I missed and fell to the ground again, accidentally knocking Lily over in the process.
“Oh no!” I gasped and rolled over in the wet grass. “Are you okay?”
She was lying flat on her back, rain dropping all over her little body. To my surprise, she burst into hysterical laughter. I lay beside her laughing as well. My clothes were soaked. I could feel little bits of grass clinging to my face and hands. I looked over at Lily to find her rain jacket was covered in mud and grass as well.
“Let’s do it again!” Lily bounced up with the energy only a child could muster.
“You’re crazy!” I laughed and chased after once again. “Your dad didn’t tell me I was going to be watching a crazy girl!”
Her laughter trailed behind her. We ran around the park that had been deserted with the rainfall. For the first time since I had been with Lily, she seemed to be totally carefree. Her face was full of life and laughter. She looked like a kid without a care in the world. That was how little girls with great dads and a beautiful, loving home should look. It made my heart happy to see her being free.
The rain kept coming, quickly turning the field into one giant puddle. The ground was absolutely drenched from a week of rain.
“Look!” Lily called out.
I watched her stomp her feet. Muddy water splashed over her khaki pants that were long past saving. Thankfully, her daddy was rich and could buy her new pants. I didn’t think there was much I could do to get the grass and mud stains out.
“Is it big enough for both of us?” I asked her as I walked up.
Lily grabbed my hand and pulled me close. I noticed her hand was cold and knew it was time to call it a day. I couldn’t get her sick. I was pretty sure her father would frown upon that. “You can fit,” she said.
I stomped a few times, splashing my jeans with mud. Lily thought it was the best thing ever. She giggled and splashed. “I think we should probably head to the car,” I told her. “We’re both soaked. We don’t want to get sick.”
She gave a little pout. “This was so much fun.”
“I had fun too,” I said. “Come on, you can kick the ball back to the car.”
We kicked the ball back and forth, successfully dribbling it all the way to the parking lot. The rain grew steadier, soaking us from head to toe. Giggles erupted from Lily’s lips as she jumped into another puddle, splashing water in every direction. I followed suit, my own laughter joining hers.
“It’s so muddy,” Lily exclaimed.
She reached down and grabbed a handful of mud. Not wanting to be left out, I joined in the muddy revelry. We flung mud at each other, roaring with laughter as it clung to our clothes and hair. The world around us faded into a blur of joy, the only sounds being our contagious laughter and the pitter-patter of raindrops.
We didn’t care about the wet clothes, the mess, or the passing judgment of others who watched from afar. In that moment, it was just Lily and me, fully embracing the freedom and joy that the rain had brought. As the rain started to subside, we reluctantly stepped out of the mud, our bodies caked with earthy goodness. We stood there, breathless and exhilarated, taking in the sight of our muddy selves.
Lily looked at me, her eyes sparkling with gratitude and happiness. “Dee, this was the best day ever! Thank you for playing in the rain and mud with me.”
I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with love for this incredible little girl. “Lily, it was my pleasure. Sometimes, the best memories come from getting a little messy.”
She wiped her face and ended up smearing the mud even more. “Your dad is going to kill me,” I said with a laugh. “We better get home and get cleaned up before he does.”
I unlocked the doors of the luxury car and hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” Lily asked.
“We’re covered in mud,” I said. “And we’re wet. We’re going to get the car all dirty.”
Lily looked down at herself. “We could stand in the rain and let it wash away the mud,” she offered.
