The narrator recalls an experience with their elderly neighbor, Mr. Dalen, who asked for plastic chairs with holes in the middle. Unable to find that specific type, the narrator brought regular patio chairs instead. Mr. Dalen thanked them, but his expression suggested something was wrong.

Initially, the narrator dismissed the reaction, thinking the matter trivial. However, Mr. Dalen’s unusual response lingered because he was typically a quiet, gentle man who did not fuss over small things. He had lived alone since his wife Nadine passed away five years prior.

The next day, when the narrator offered to replace the chairs, Mr. Dalen hesitated and then revealed their intended purpose: listening to the rain without sitting in puddles. He and Nadine had used such chairs to enjoy rainy days under an umbrella. The narrator realized the wrong chairs could not replicate that experience.

Soon after, the narrator noticed signs that Mr. Dalen was unwell: unmowed grass and an overflowing mailbox. A wellness check revealed he had collapsed from dehydration. This prompted the narrator to search for the exact chairs he had originally requested.

Once the correct chairs were found and set up, Mr. Dalen sat down and closed his eyes as light rain fell through the holes. The familiar sound and feel evoked memories of Nadine, connecting him to past moments of shared joy and tranquility.

Ultimately, the story illustrates how seemingly mundane objects can carry deep emotional significance. For Mr. Dalen, the chairs were not merely furniture—they were vessels of memory, a way to reconnect with lost loved ones. Small, thoughtful gestures can preserve and honor cherished moments, showing how grief and remembrance often live in simple, tangible forms.