//------------------------------// // rain // Story: She Waits for Thunder // by The Red Parade //------------------------------// Lofty can’t take her eyes off the hospital bracelet tied around Holiday’s foreleg. Holiday hasn’t met her eyes yet. She chews her cheek and fidgets in the bed.  The distant crackle of an intercom and the beep of the LCD fill the spaces in between.  “Doc says I got lucky.” A low voice, stuttering and uncertain. “Gonna hurt in the mornin’ but I’ll be apples after. Just waitin’ for the X-rays and…” Holiday tries to muster a smile. She trails off. Lofty knows she’s expecting a reply but she doesn’t know what to say.  The smile washes away like a beachfront to a wave.  A click of a tongue and a shake of her head.  “Lofts, I’m sorry.” A quiet and defeated whimper. Holiday covers her head with her hooves. “She wanted to go towards the storm! I knew it was a bad idea, but she tried to turn us around and we just… it just…” A low hum of understanding. It seems to relax Holiday but only in the slightest. She finally meets Lofty’s eyes.  A face overcome with shame. Rolling Thunder had already left the hospital when Lofty showed up. That was too bad, because Rolling was going to need a hospital by the time Lofty was done with her.  “I’m sorry I crashed the boat.” A murmur against the hum of fluorescent lights and the air conditioning. “I’ll get Snap to come look at it… Maybe he can fix it before your dad finds out.” “It’s alright, Holly.” It comes out soft and gentle. Lofty puts a hoof on Holiday’s withers and smiles. “I’m just glad you’re okay.” “I don’t deserve you.” Lofty just leans in further to hug her the best she can.