A Break in the Rain

For years, rain had hammered the colony on Venus. Then, one afternoon, the downpour began slackening. Water still streamed from the roof, but the pounding grew softer and slower. The children gathered at the doorway, intermixed in a crowded, restless group. When a pale stripe of sunlight appeared, excitement surged through them. They hurried outside tumultuously, calling and laughing in a noisy, uncontrolled rush. Malik, usually frail after a long illness, paused on the steps. She was resilient, though: she steadied herself and joined her friends. They had only a few minutes, so they savored the warmth, paying close attention to every bright, golden moment. Soon the clouds thickened again, and the colony’s short visit to the sun was over.