Rainbows After the Rain

The last rumble of thunder faded into a distant grumble, like a giant bear finally settling down for a long nap. Outside, the wind, which had been howling like a pack of wolves, began to sigh, then whisper, and finally, fell silent. Melissa, who had been curled up tight against her dad, slowly uncurled herself. The constant drumming of rain against the windows had also stopped. A strange quiet settled over their house, a quiet that felt as big and as heavy as the storm had been.

"Is it... is it over?" Melissa whispered, her voice small in the sudden stillness.

Mom peeked out from behind the sofa cushion she’d been holding. "I think it might be, sweetie," she said, her voice still a little shaky. Dad, ever the steady one, was already getting up.