Wicked Rain

By Bob Dingethal

December 25, 2010

Kyle sat staring out the window into the spreading darkness. The days didn’t seem to end anymore. The gloomy days simply merged into bleak nights. Tears streamed down his face in a slow cascade mirroring the tempo of the rain outside.

On either side of his desk he had a sunlight 365 lamp that supposedly gave off a healing light that mimicked natural sunlight. He awoke with the light in the morning and tried to fall asleep as it dimmed every night in an effort to repair his shattered sleeping rhythms.  Vitamin D bottles, Lexapro and various homeopathic remedies were splayed out around the room in various stages of use or abandonment.

Kyle reached over to hold a picture of Tanya taken their first happy weeks in Vancouver. They were smiling brightly, fit and happy they looked like an advertisement from Sunset magazine showing the wonders of life in the Pacific Northwest. They were sitting on the top of Silverstar Mountain with their golden retriever Buddy between them. They were smiling in a way that only those completely in the moment can smile. Today was the one year anniversary of the day the picture had been taken. It was hard to believe that it had been only a year, it seemed an eternity.

One year and two days earlier

Kyle had purposely driven to pick up Tanya with a snowboard and a kayak strapped to the roof of the Subaru. He had been telling her about his adventures for the last month, he had once even gone snowboarding and kayaking on the same day. He wanted her as exited to make this move as he was. Tanya’s desk top at work was covered in pictures of the Pacific NW that Kyle had been sending her, snow covered mountains, rushing rivers and pristine wilderness. They had been living together in the San Francisco Bay area for 2 years and though California had abundant natural beauty it took forever to get to it what with the horrible traffic and huge crowds everywhere. In Vancouver Kyle had already been able to take ½ days to go skiing and had canoed at lunch.

Kyle and Tanya had spent their first vacation together hiking the Cascades and had dreamt of living in Oregon or Washington ever since. When Kyle found out the Bank he worked for had acquired a Bank in Vancouver Washington he applied and to his shock was not only granted a transfer but he was promoted to Managing Vice President of the downtown Vancouver Branch. Kyle and Tanya were ecstatic! When Kyle came home to Tanya to deliver the news he also brought home a loose ½ carat diamond in a Tiffany box. He knew he didn’t know enough about rings to pick the perfect ring, Tanya laughed through her tears of joy. They were to be married at Timberline Lodge at the top of Mount Hood the following May.

Kyle pulled up to the curb at Portland International Airport where Tanya was waiting with three huge suitcases. Tanya screamed jumping up and down shaking her arms. Kyle smiling hugely rolled down the window and simply said, “Hello gorgeous!” Tanya stuck her head through the passenger side window and Kyle pulled her through the window up to her hips as they smothered each other with kisses. Buddy was beside himself fighting to stay still finally relenting, climbing over the seat to lick their faces and get in on some of this love action.

Tanya grabbed Buddy’s face and rubbed his ears. “And how are you baby, I missed you so much. Tanya was on her back now, Kyle holding her in his lap, Buddy licking her and her feet stuck out the window. They heard a tap on the window and looked up to see the broad smiling face of a burly security guard.

“I hate to break this up folks but we have to keep things moving here.”

“Of Course Officer.” They both said almost simultaneously, and then laughed“

“No problem at all folks.” He replied his smile broadening even more. “Welcome Home!”

Tanya Sat up and looked into Kyle’s eyes, her own eyes brimming with tears. “Yea welcome home.” And they fell into each other’s arms again.

As they drove out of the parking lot Tanya regaled Kyle with stories of her trials and tribulations in preparation for the move to Vancouver. Kyle listened as attentively as he could, lost as he was in this dream.

As they crossed the 205 bridge from Oregon into Washington Tanya lapsed into silence for a moment and then said. “Oh My God!” Kyle knew this would happen. On this gloriously clear sunny day in May, sail boats dotted the shimmering surface of the Columbia river and looming over the river looking almost close enough to touch, lay the spectacularly snow covered Mount Hood shining like a diamond in the sun.

Kyle had rented a house in an upscale neighborhood in the North West part of Vancouver called “Felida.” Compared to their tiny apartment in the Bay area this 2,500 square foot house seemed gigantic and yet it cost 1/3^rd less per month. Tanya was gushing about the neighborhood, the trees and the house. Kyle gently held her hand and walked her out to the back deck. “Wait till you see this.” He said

They walked out on the back deck and Tanya shielded her eyes from the sun still strong in the early evening at this latitude. For a moment she was stunned into silence. Their deck opened out onto the Salmon Creek greenway. The creek rippled through tall grass spilling into a still pond, Heron and ducks dotted the water and she could even see what looked like beaver or otters at play in the water. A trail way had been carved into the valley at the far side and she could see bicyclists and runners, dog walkers and moms with jogging strollers moved in and out of the tree canopy into sunlit areas. “She turned and looked at Kyle. “This is perfect!” And she threw her arms around him and squeezed with all her might. They kissed again and she moved her hand to his chest and ran it slowly down to his waist. Kyle swept her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

Chapter Two

Kyle squinted into the increasing blackness trying to make out forms in the valley below. He hadn’t seen anyone on the path in months. The creek had overflowed flooding the valley and obliterating the pathway. The flooding wasn’t like the ones you see on the television news with rushing torrents of water scouring everything in its path; it simply seeped and expanded, turning the pretty little valley into an ugly swamp. The birds had still been there in the winter but it seemed few remained today. The only other wildlife he saw were the nutria, ugly creatures not much more than rats. He could see then swimming together writhing over one another with their greasy slick fur. The water was all the way to his back fence now seeping into his small back yard threatening his back deck. He could make out the dim shape of Buddy’s water bowl and one of his squeeze toys floating near the fence. He felt like he should throw them away but he didn’t have the energy to do it.

Kyle prayed to a God he wasn’t sure he believed in, begging for exhaustion to take him and allow him to sleep.

May the previous Year.

When Kyle awoke he found himself alone in bed, or more correctly, alone on the mattress on the floor as they hadn’t set up the bed yet. He heard Tanya in the kitchen and walked in to see her filling two back packs with food and supplies for the day’s trip. She was wearing only a Seattle Seahawks jersey and since she was 5’10” tall just two inches shorter than Kyle, barely cover her shapely butt. Kyle came up behind her and put his arms around her waist pressing himself to her.

“Hey there big fella you better hold that until later if we want to get on the road in time.” She said smiling lasciviously.

“We’ve got lots of time doll; remember were not in Cali anymore.” Kyle said huskily.

Tanya brightened. “In that case big boy!” She pulled the jersey over her head and fully naked rubbed herself against him. They made love languorously and had almost drifted off to sleep again when Buddy put his head over the edge of the mattress and gave a muffled woof.

“All right boy were coming.” Kyle said sleepily.

“What again?” Tanya said with a laugh.

Kyle grabbed her roughly and said with a leering smile. “Don’t tempt me.”

They drove for 45 minutes through suburbs before they entered the forest. The trees grew thick and tall and only a few cabins and ramshackle trailers showed through the thick foliage. The rough map they had of the area didn’t give clear directions to the trail head to the top and the GPS they were using simply told them that they were in “Unidentified Area”.  They stopped at a small trailer they saw and knocked on the door. No answer came and they were about to leave when an ATV pulled up with a sturdy looking woman of about 70 pulled up. She was dressed in stout looking Carhart jacket and jeans with a pair of well worn boots.

“Can I help you folks?” she said genially.

“Yes please we’re looking for the trail head to Silver Star Mountain.” Tanya said.

The woman looked them over for a moment and then looked at their Subaru. Nodding she said to them. “Well the paved road to the top goes over yonder, it’s about twenty miles and it will bring you to the north side, Or if your game there’s a logging road across the street that runs about three miles and takes you to the south trail head, the goings slow but its dry right now and its mighty pretty this time of year. I think your rig’l make it.” She said nodding at the Subaru.

“Thank you kindly mam.” Kyle said. “I think we’ll take the short cut.”

Kyle, Tanya and Buddy piled into the Subaru and headed up the rutted trail. Tanya had been suppressing a laugh and finally said in a hillbilly voice. “Thank ya kindly mam. Boy a couple of months in the Northwest and you’re already going native.”

Kyle smiled. “Hey when in Rome.”

They rode slowly up the mountain road, Kyle guiding the car onto the safer looking areas to keep from high centering or sliding down the mountain. It was all he could do to keep his eyes on the road with Tanya smacking his arm and pointing every couple of minutes saying “Wow look at that.” Even buddy had his head stuck out the window looking out at the spectacular view.

They reached the trail head parking lot in about ½ hour. A few cars had come up from the other side but no people could be seen or heard. They stood in awe of the view, Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams could all be seen brilliant and snow capped on the horizon. The air was fresh and cool and the sun warmed their faces. They walked in awed silence holding hands, while buddy bounded ahead on the trail. The trail was wide and clear circumnavigating the peak. Every turn was a riot of wild flowers and majestic panoramas. When they go to the base of the craggy foreboding looking peak they sat down and enjoyed their lunch.

“Look!” Tanya said pointing. A young couple about their age emerged from a notch in the peak and starting walking down through the rock fall.

As they approached, Tanya and Kyle they smiled and waved. Kyle and Tanya introduced themselves and buddy. The two couples talked and exchanged cameras so they could get pictures of themselves and talked about hikes in the area. The couple, Bob and Dona, offered to watch buddy so Kyle and Tanya could climb the rocks up to the notch and have a look. It was only a few minutes climb to the top and easier than it appeared. The final bit required a five foot vertical reach and Kyle pulled himself up and reached down for Tanya. He hoisted her over the edge and they both stood looking out over the valley below. The four foot ledge perched over what looked like a three thousand foot drop but they somehow felt safe and secure. The view was so beautiful it brought tears to their eyes. They felt like they were truly on top of the world.

Chapter Three

Kyle took his pills with his coffee and thought for the hundredth time about downing the whole lot. He glanced at the Television and saw the five day forecast on the local weather channel. Every day showed a different name for rain, showers, drizzle, cloudy with chance of precipitation, even dry days were cloudy or foggy or both or all of it. Last year had been called “The year without a summer” and even the oldest locals couldn’t remember a year this bad. The reasons given were many, global climate change, El Nino, La Nina, government plot, China’s testing of nukes in the atmosphere. But Kyle knew the reason and it was none of these. He looked at the picture of that day on Silverstar and tears filled his eyes again, yes he knew.

One year ago

The team at Cascade Bank had warmed up quickly to Kyle. With all the closure and consolidations in banking they had all be nervous about their jobs and on hearing how young the new manager was they were concerned about some hot shot youngster stirring things up. But Kyle with his easy smile and friendly manner quickly made them comfortable. He had assured them in writing that no one’s job was in jeopardy and that the strength of the merged banks in fact made them more stable. He had done much of the due diligence himself, the bank was solvent and most of the loans were reasonably low risk. With one or two exceptions things would remain pretty much the same. Kyle himself had taken the responsibility to talk to all the customers who had loans in arrears and with few exceptions they had come to an equitable agreement on how to proceed.

On this day Kyle had an appointment with one of his last troubled loan customers a Mrs. Olga Vasilissa. The employees had called her “Olga the Terrible” and one woman had even surreptitiously crossed herself when the name had come up. Vancouver had a very large population of immigrants from former Soviet Union countries and Kyle had found them to be amongst the most fiscally responsible people he had ever worked with. They were industrious and frugal and typically paid their mortgages and business loans in a timely manner. Mrs. Vasilissa’s loan was not particularly large, less than 100,000 dollars outstanding but no payment had been made for nearly a year. The house itself probably couldn’t have fetched that much on the open market these days so Kyle couldn’t figure out why the loan had been made in the first place and the bank manager who had done the loan was long gone with no available contact information.

Mrs. Vasilissa arrived promptly at 10:00, pushing an elderly man in an antique looking wheelchair that appeared to be made of woven cane. She was certainly not what Kyle had expected from the description given to him by his colleagues at the bank. He had even been sternly warned to be polite in his dealings with her, as this was his nature anyway he didn’t think much of it.

Olga was a petite woman, about 5”2” at the most, she was simply but elegantly dressed, flat shoes a black medium length skirt, white silk blouse and black silk jacket. Olga was by anyone’s definition a beauty. Silky black hair to her shoulders and large almond shaped hazel eyes. Her skin was very fair and flawless, classic Slavic cheek bones accented a generous mouth and full lips, her welcoming smile showed perfect brilliantly white teeth.

Olga extended her hand. “I am Olga Vasilissa.” She said in crisp English with a slight Russian accent. “And this is my Grandfather Vasilli Vasilissa.” The old man nodded almost imperceptibly but did not reach for Kyle’s extended hand. He looked to be a hundred years old with veiny parchment skin and wispy hair sticking out from under an old wool watch cap. He almost appeared on the verge of tears but he said nothing. Kyle offered to push the chair to his office but Olga demurred.

As they walked to the office they made some small talk. Olga told them that she and her Grandfather had come over to Vancouver as refugees near the end of the cold war and that had been sponsored by the Slavic Church in Vancouver. She said they were originally from a small town in Siberia. “And you Mr. Jones how long have you been here in Vancouver?

“Oh just a few months.” He said.

“And how to you find it here in Vancouver?” She responded.

“Actually I love it. I love the beautiful outdoors here and the people have been wonderful. And the weather has been so beautiful. I’m beginning to think all these stories about the rain here are just to keep people like me from moving up from California and driving up the housing prices.”

Olga laughed showing her brilliant smile once again. “There may be some truth to that Mr. Jones.”

They arranged themselves around the desk in Kyle’s office. Olga declined an offer of coffee, tea or water for her and her father and Kyle got down to business.

“Now Mrs. Vasilissa I just have a few questions.”

Olga seemed to wince at this but Kyle had experience dealing with people in arrears so he tried to put her at ease. “Olga we have your best interests at heart here, I guess things have been difficult for you and your grandfather but I’m sure we can work something out.” Kyle put on his most sincere smile and Olga smiled back but her smile never reached her eyes.

“I see you have been in the house for nearly ten years but the payments have been a bit spotty. The loan is at the lowest rate allowed by law so there isn’t much we can do there but I will see what can be done to help. Now Olga, tell me about your situation? Olga looked a little perplexed so Kyle for instance what do you do for a living?”

“I am Baba Jaga.” She replied. “A spiritual guide.”

“And how much does this work pay?” Kyle asked.

“Little in dollars.” Olga replied curtly. “But I am essential to the Slavic community.”

Kyle who felt he was doing his best to be helpful and polite felt his agitation rising. “And your grandfather, does he have any income.”

“A very small pension.” Olga replied even more abruptly.

“Mrs.Vasilissa, I am trying to help here.” Kyle said a little louder than he intended. As the words left his mouth he saw one of the tellers, a Russian herself, walk by the front of his office mouthing the word “No” and quickly turn away.

Kyle saw a shimmer pass over Olga’s face and he sensed something ugly beneath her ethereal beauty. “Mr. Jones.” She said her accent coming out more strongly. “Just get to the point. Your predecessor never bothered us. You will get money, I just can’t tell you when. You bankers are so greedy no matter what country!”

“Mrs Vasilissa.” Kyle said getting to his feet. “We have done everything we can for you and we have been more than fair, but we are a business. I need you to make some effort at payment or we have no choice but to foreclose on your home.” Kyle had no intention of doing this when he reviewed the loan, the bank didn’t even want this ramshackle house with its peculiar pillars and boarded up windows but she had forced his hand.

Olga stood abruptly and grabbed her grandfather chair turning it toward the door. She looked directly into Kyle’s and flung her arm toward him with her hand unfurling like a whip. “Here is your rain!” She said with a snarl.

Kyle caught the cold water splash directly in his face. Olga whipped out of the office as Kyle wiped at his face. Kyle’s stomach lurched and he felt an anxiety over take him. He felt like an ice crystal had lodged itself in his ear. He didn’t see the glass she must have been holding nor was there one evident on his desk or the floor. Kyle looked out the window to see Olga frantically pushing her Grandfather out of the parking lot. Clouds were gathering on the Horizon and they seemed to be following her.

As Kyle drove home the storm gathered in intensity. The weather report hadn’t predicted rain and his Iphone still showed a 5 day projection of sunshine.  The sunroof in the Suburu was leaking and water sprayed his face when he made left turns, he supposed he hadn’t noticed this before because the weather had been so dry. The icy droplet he had felt deep in his ear continued irritate  him, it felt like a pin point of dry ice and now his ears began to ring as well.

He parked in the driveway and ran to the house; even the 20 feet or so distance he traveled was enough to soak his suit. Kyle took off his wet jacket and heard Tanya singing in the kitchen. He sat on a chair near the door and put his face in his hands feeling the tears rise in his eyes. Buddy came running around the corner to great him; stopping short at his master’s feet he sniffed his hands and whined. Putting his muzzle on Kyle’s knee he woofed quietly.

Tanya rounding the corner smiling and humming an upbeat tune stopped when she saw Kyle. “Kyle honey, oh my God, what’s wrong?”

Chapter 4

The floor of the house was very cold and Kyle had taken to wearing thick woolen socks all the time. He wrapped himself in a blanket and walked aimlessly around the house.  He supposed he should call work, he had been missing work a lot lately but his employees had been covering for him showing fierce loyalty since Tanya left taking Buddy with her. He hadn’t been reading Email or checking phone messages, he assumed the land line still worked but the cell service had been cancelled for a month or more.

He saw an envelope that had been slipped under his door and picked it up. It was on Bank Stationary but had been hand lettered. “Kyle we are worried about you please read this letter and give us a call.” The note had been signed by several of his senior employees. The letter was from Bank Head Quarters in San Francisco and mentioned that his boss David Valdez would be arriving Monday of next week to meet with him.

Tears came again to Kyle’s eyes and he felt the anxiety clench his chest. His ear sizzled and the ringing increased in intensity. He liked David, after all he had been the one to promote him and OK the transfer, but the anxiety was so extreme.  “He had to do something or go mad.” He thought. “Madder!” He chuckled grimly to himself.

Tanya had stayed with him for three more months after his meeting with Olga. They tried to make it work but there had not been a single sunny day since that day. They had tried to go on hikes and kayak trips but the weather always proved to be more miserable than they could stand. Finances had been tight with the move and Tanya had been unable to find a job, so a sunshine vacation was put off until next year. Even skiing didn’t work, early snow fall had been washed out by the rain and a trip to Timberline lodge had been a wet sloppy mess. Both had been sliding into depression. Kyle’s mind constantly raced back to the day in his office when this had all began, he even tried to explain it to Tanya but she saw this as evidence of Kyle’s worsening mental state due to the grim climate.

One day he came home to find her and Buddy gone. Her note said she simply couldn’t take any more rain. She said for him not to follow her or contact her, she needed a fresh start. She took her clothes the Subaru and Buddy. She didn’t care about anything else.

Despite the note Kyle tried to find her and even went down to California. His trip down was pure misery, driving rain followed him the whole way and the tension of driving with the sadness and the rain made his body ache and his mind spin even faster. He spent three days in San Francisco talking to friends and colleagues but gained not a clue on Tanya’s whereabouts.  Upon his return his pain was exacerbated by the news that Vancouver had had its first warm sunny days in months during his absence. “That’s the way the weather patterns work sometimes.” His colleagues told him. “California gets our weather and we get theirs once in a while.”

There was no question that something had to be done. One part of his mind had fought the illogic of the situation, holding on to rational thought. “You will get better.” He was told. Sometimes the weather here is hard to take when you first get here.”

The doctors had concluded a severe anxiety disorder and assured him the medication would work over time. “There’s no quick fix.” They said. “Give it 6 to 8 weeks and you’ll feel like your old self again.”

But nothing worked, he knew nothing ever would, he knew that now.

Kyle pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and walked toward the front door. The closet by the door only contained two things, a beautiful all weather coat the Tanya had bought him from REI and a brand new Browning BPS 10 gauge shotgun. He took only the gun, the salesman at the store had told him it had “Great stopping Power.” And he never asked Kyle what he was going to use it for. Kyle knew that he would use it either on himself or on the witch; he still wasn’t sure which.

Kyle check to make sure the gun was fully loaded and filled his pockets with shells. He held the gun by the barrel and threw it into the back seat of the old BMW convertible he had bought when Tanya left. He hoped that buying the car would buoy his spirits and show he was still hopeful. He hadn’t gotten around to fixing it up. The car smelled of mildew and the roof leaked dreadfully but it ran.

The rain fell in buckets now and despite the nearness of the summer equinox sleet mixed heavily with the rain. The BMW’s thin canvas roof leaked like a sieve but it didn’t matter. The cold water from the leaky roof mixed with his warm tears. Kyle could taste the salt as it leaked into his mouth.

He had driven by the house hundreds of times now and he knew the way without thinking. He had never seen a light or any activity inside. He had proceeded immediately into foreclosure after that day, mostly out of anger and spite, but little was ever done. The bank didn’t really want the house and the Sheriff was not willing to throw out Olga and her Grandfather, so it just sat.

Kyle pulled up to the house and just stared for a moment. If possible this little square box looked more hideous than ever. The house sat on a small rise overlooking a rail yard, four rounded posts held the foundation about a foot and a half off the ground, barely a scrap of paint remained on the outside. The neighborhood homes were mostly well tended and modest, owned by Russian immigrant families except for the two houses on either side of the witch that had been abandoned.

Kyle grabbed the shotgun by the barrel and walked toward the door dragging the stock on the ground. The wind and the rain soaked him to the bone, but he felt nothing. He had a key he had gotten from the office and walked toward the door with it in his free hand; it was old and large and felt alien in his fingers. Kyle took the first step on the porch and the rotting board gave way. He didn’t even look down as he mounted the second step and then on to the porch.

The house was dark and all the windows had been boarded up including the small lattice window on the door. Shards of shattered glass were still in the door window and the rocks that had been used to break them still lay on the porch, it looked like they had been there for years. Kyle shifted the shotgun to his left hand and the key to his right and reached for the lock. He staggered back a step as he saw the keyhole, it was a mouth with razor sharp teeth, it looked alive and moist livid red even in the gloom. Kyle was steeling himself for another try at inserting the key when he saw a flickering light through a fissure in the old door.

He bent slightly to look through the crack and saw a hideous old crone walking toward the door holding a candle. Her ugliness was less an effect of the ravages of age and more a manifestation of evil. He knew now, he knew for sure.

Chapter 5

The door swung open and Olga stood before him in the candle light looking more beautiful and fresh than ever, her smile, genuine and beguiling. “Mr. Jones.” She said. “You are a much stronger man than I had ever anticipated you would be.”

Kyle still held the shotgun by the barrel and moved it to his right hand. Olga made no move to escape or even take notice of the gun. “You really are Baba Yaga.” Kyle said.

“Yes.” Olga said with a lilting laugh and a smile.

“And Vassili, he is your husband, yes.”

“Was Mr. Jones, he died several months ago, but I know you had other things on your mind and took no notice.” “Funny.” She added. “The insurance would have paid the mortgage.” And she laughed throwing her head back.

Kyle raised the shotgun and pumped it, pointing it directly at the witches face, only inches away shaking with the movement of his hands.

Monday, June First

At 9:01 Kyle walked into the bank. His blue eyes were shining like the sky above him. The sun warmed his face and his smile shown like a diamond. Mr. Valdez would be here by ten o’clock and his team had put the bank in perfect order, even the windows had been freshly cleaned letting the sunshine stream through.

“Mr. Jones, great to see you sir, I’m uh, you look great.”

Everyone gathered around, patting him on the back and complimenting his new suit and tie. He was clearly a new man.

Gretchen his assistant came up and patted his red tie. “We all missed you Mr. Jones and we are so glad to have you back and feeling chipper. You look so happy, I’m, I mean I don’t want to pry but you were so down, what?”

Kyle held up a hand and smiled. “I have a new lease on life Gretchen, the sun is out and I feel great, the best part though is.” He paused for effect. “I’m getting married.”

The bank erupted in a chorus of congratulations. Everyone wanted to know when the big day was and this and that. Kyle just waved them away he said he was getting married today after the boss’s visit.

Gretchen asked the key question that everyone wanted to know, they had all hoped Tanya was back because they had really liked her and knew how much he had been in love. “Who’s the lucky girl?”

“Let me introduce you to her.” Kyle said walking toward the door.

Everyone held their breath and some of the ladies were getting misty eyed. Kyle extended his hand beyond the door and a delicate hand reached for his. He pulled her toward him shielding her from view and then stepped aside. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my fiancé.” There stood Olga looking like a blushing bride of seventeen. She held a small bouquet in her hands and smiled sweetly at the stunned crowd.