When dawn broke, so did the clouds. Rain washed away sidewalk chalk and dirt. It cleared the pollen from the hoods of the cars and from the windows on the buildings. Upturned flowers collected water droplets in their petal cups. Cats shook the rain from their fur and took cover under bushes and vehicles.

As he left the house, he drew the collar of his coat tighter around his neck and opened the yellow umbrella. The weather changed from a feeling to a sound, drumming a soft beat on the nylon s...