It was a dark and stormy night when panic hit the city of Phoenix! Mothers huddle their children in close, fathers look out window for danger. Those brave souls went out to retrieve supplies where both reprimanded and praised for their bravery. School houses cancelled classes; people stayed indoors; and the local reporters attempted to cover every detail of this breaking story. What had this city in utter chaos? Yet, it true, Rain had come to town.
Rain to Phoenix comes into town like an outlaw itching for some fun. He saddles up its gray as the skies colored horse, and rides into town quick on the heels of Wind. Wing, who always was a fast one enjoys stirring up the dust down the streets of Phoenix. Thunder & Lightning, the outlaw twins usually liven up things, whooping and hollering, shooting up the town as if they had no care in the world. Rain is more subdued but this outlaw is not one to mess with. He would belly up to the bar, and gaze from under his black cowboy hat that is worn low to block the sun from his eyes. His deep blue eyes with stare piercing looks into bartender frighten ones, and gruffly ask, “Give me a drink, this dry town makes me thirsty. The frighten bartender, knew exactly what Rain wanted, water on the rocks. Rain quickly downed it, and it was refilled just as quickly.
“Where was the Marshal?” The people asked. Many years ago, Sun was given the responsibility of watching over the town of Phoenix. He was a good marshal, sometimes he seems harsh and hot headed but he would always cool off. The town’s people loved him so much they nickname their town, “The Valley of the Sun”. Sun, was a good at letting the Drifter clouds know that they were not welcome, and often asked to blow out of town as quickly as they came. Most never questioned and most learn to avoid the city all together.
When Rain came to town, he sometimes came in almost so quietly that most never realize he had drifted through, leaving very little proof he had been there. Yet, when his outlaw buddies came you could hear and see them coming for miles. Rain had his belly full of drinks, that when rain was ready for some fun. This stuff up dried up town was too much for Rain and he enjoyed stirring things up. Wind was always happy to help, moving things around, knocking things over. Thunder liked to watch people shake at his sound and Lighting enjoy watching the people dance around him. Rain, well he like to affect everyone~ He may just pitter and patter around sometimes, yet this outlaw can really pour down upon them and he won seem to stop at other times.
It was closing in on high noon, a couple days later, when Marshal came down Central. His shining spurs stomp through the mud and puddles, the sound of the clicking could be heard as he walks down the deserted streets. The Marshal stopped, as a brawl of Thunder & Lightning came tumbling out of the saloon, Wind quickly following howling at the fun, and Rain came trickling behind. The fight came to a stop when Wind whispered to the twins, as all eyes turn to the shining Marshal, the two on the ground stood facing this famous one, and Wind brush the dirt off his hands so they could be ready. Rain, well Rain was always read and keen as a fox.
Marshal Sun eyed the first three outlaws that stood before him, “What did I say about coming to this town?” Marshal said quietly, “Wind, just as fast as your blew into town, I want you to blow right on out.” Wind glared, but he knew better then to mess around so he turned and left in a whirlwind. “They say the Thunder rolls so why doesn’t your roll on out and Lightning, why don’t you strike this town from your list.” Marshall spoke a little louder this time.
“Why should we listen to you?” Lightning dared as a sneer flashed across his face. The Marshal had already been walking towards the twins and step up close to Lightning face, he simply tap his figures on Lightning’s forehead.
“Lightning, your sometimes have a stroke of genius but sir, I think you shorted out something upstairs.” Before Lightning could strike back, Thunder grabbed his shoulder and rumbled about how it was time to roll on out.
When the other three outlaws had left, Sun had turned to face Rain. Their eyes locked, these two were like night & day. One was dark and quiet at times, the other bright and friendly. Yet, both were fast at the draw. They were equally powerful, and like each other in many ways. Many wonder what would happen in a standoff between the two. It would more likely be a Mexican standoff when neither would come out alive. Silence grew around them; would one dare to break the silence? A hand slipped out, and another followed just as closely.
“Thank you my friend,” said Sun in a bright voice. “Thank you for coming.”
“Anytime,” Rain said coolly, as their hand grasped, Rain pulled Sun into a hug. “But don’t be a stranger in my neck of the woods. It seems you’re always very welcomed and never get up North like you use too.”
“I know this town keeps me on my toes, sometimes it gets down right hot around her with all the pressure.” The Marshall responded, “Next time, don’t bring your friends they can really get carried away. This town will have a mess to clean up after them.”
“I know they saw me coming and they always come in before me. They are good kids, but need some work. Wind has been hanging out with the Outlaw from Oklahoma, Tornado, that just a whirlwind of trouble.”
“Well we just have to keep them in line won’t we?” Sun escorted Rain to the edge of town; they parted friends with promises to visit one another again.
The Marshall was considered a hero once again; most thinking he had chased Rain out of town. What the people didn’t know is that Rain was a welcome guest to Sun for this dry old town & invitations were often sent. You see Rain wasn’t really an outlaw, he was a hard worker up North and his hard work could be seen along the hills and valleys. Marshall wanted Rain to come in, he seem to wash this city up, and did a lot of good too. Oh yes, he could over do it at times, but he had over done it too. Rain’s friends might stir things up and make some noise but most of the time they were harmless if you stayed out of their way.
Marshal Sun crept down the streets of Phoenix, surveying what damage had been done. He began by warming the hearts of this people, drying up the streets and brightening the day. After a long day, Marshall back in his office picked up a newspaper that sat on his desk, and read the headline. “Marshal Out shines the Outlaws Once Again!” A bright smile crept across his face as he thought, “If they only knew.”
Jacqueline
*Note from the Author* With a love for western, and been listening to Louis L'Amours book on CD lately, I was caught indoors by a wonderful desert rain storm. We had been anticipating this storm for about a week around Phoenix. Growing up in Ohio, this storm would be considered a normal summer rain storm for Ohio, yet Arizona seem to be panicing. Cause of little rain in Arizona, the ground often has trouble absorbing the water so flooding was normal. Oh yes, we had flooding, some high winds and lots of snow up north but really nothing to freak out about. I enjoy laughing at others when they act like people on earth when the rain came down in the days of Noah. You would think they had never seen it before. So with a little inspiration from good old Louie, and a beautiful rainy day, I began writing this story. I hope that this helps Phoenix people to realize, hey Rain isn't really that bad infact it kinda good for you!
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