Planning, Valise, Stranger

She stood on the sidewalk, valise on her left, Perry, her cocker spaniel on her right. The rain had just begun to come down at a steady rate, just fast enough to soak her and Perry before they were able to make it to the doorway of their building. The valise would be soaked through, ruining the day’s work but planning had not always been her strong suit. She should have used the plastic sleeves to encase the work, but had not. Instead, here she stands, next to a stranger, dry under his own umbrella, while she waits for the signal that it is safe to walk.