I continued on, searching for rocks and seaweed to add to her ‘artistic creation’. I whispered a prayer under my breath to whatever gods were listening. Please don’t let her notice the clouds. As I approached her with another bucket of shells, I could tell by her body language she’d seen the approaching rain. Her back was stiff, her movements jerky, and I could count down to the inevitable tears.

Three. “Leo, do you see this? Do you know that it’s going to storm? How could you let this happen? Didn’t you check the weather? You promised you did!” Shit. I knew I forgot something. I had been so careful this time, packing our bag, cleaning the car. But the weather….

Two. “This always happens. Why don’t you care enough to let us spend a good day together?” The ability to control the weather is one of my lesser known talents.

One. “It’s because you don’t love me. Isn’t it? Oh god, you don’t love me! I knew it! I can’t do this anymore!” I did love her, once. At this point, I wasn’t so sure.

Zero.