A Walk in the Rain

Chapter 4

After eating breakfast with my parents and James, I told my parents about the kids' storytime. I got discouraged because of the heavy fall of rain. "I was planning on taking James to the library today, but I can't take him out in this weather," I said regretfully. "That's okay, April; I can call and see if Adam can take you," Dad said. "That's okay, Dad. I appreciate it, but maybe that isn't a good idea. I barely know him now." I would love to get to know him more. The three of us going out today would be so much fun if he would talk to me. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind going. I'll just send him a text. He must come here anyway to drop off the eggs." Dad heavily suggested. Mom chimed in, "Plus, you do know Adam. Y'all went to middle school together and were decent friends until he had to move." "He said he would be here in an hour, so get ready. Your mom and I will help get James ready," Dad said. I threw on a pair of my favorite Miss Me Jeans with my cowboy boots and a Rock Revival t-shirt. Due to the rain, I put my hair in a high, messy bun.

Sitting in the living room, I feel anxious when I hear Adam open and shut his truck door. I wish my heart would settle down. I can't imagine feeling like this the whole time I will be around him. Adam walks through the door. My body starts to warm up all over from his presence. Mom comes in and takes the eggs from him. "I need to transfer James' car seat over to your truck," I said to Adam.

The rain is pounding the windshield. I am so glad that Adam agreed to take us. We are almost at the library when James starts singing a song he made up. I love hearing him sing. After my son finished his song, Adam said, "Good job, Buddy, that was a great song. My heart started to feel full of joy hearing what Adam had said. I reflect on my car rides with Trevor, and he never seemed at all interested in James' singing. I know happy kids sing all the time, but I always find comfort in my son's singing. I find it odd how I start comparing Trevor to Adam. Back then, in middle school, Adam was so outgoing and kind towards others. Once, I fell off the swing at our school, and he picked me up and carried me to the teachers to get help with the scrape on my knee. I had a slight crush on him back then, but Adam never seemed interested in me like that. Right after middle school, he moved away, and I never learned why. I can eventually ask him about it.

We pull up to the cream-colored brick library building and walk inside. To the right is a small room with chairs lined up. I see a few kids, and parents have already arrived. The kids are sitting on a colorful rug while the parents are in their seats. I told Adam that he didn't have to join us and could look around the library, but he insisted he join us in the room. James shyly made friends with a little boy near his age and sat beside him on the mat.

Jasmine walks into the room with a big smile on her face. "Good morning, kids. We will read a story about Timmy, the little bee who makes new friends. Apparently, Timmy is new at school and feels lonely. He then befriends another bee named Mark. We then sang a song about buzzing like bees. Jasmine hands out crayons and a coloring page of a bee. The kids are all having a great time. When James finishes his blue, red, and orange bee, he brings it to Adam. "Look at my bee; it can fly around like this. He then holds the paper bee in the air and makes buzzing sounds." "That is so cool, James. Bees are important for our flowers and plants." Adam responded.

Adam and I take James to look around the library's kid's section of books. He finds two books. One of the books has a giant bee on the cover; the other has chicks on the surface. "Look, Mommy, it has birds," He excitedly replied as he held the books up to my face. "Those are chicks. They are baby chickens." Adam replied sweetly. "I love baby chickens, Adam," my son said.

I head towards the horror section of the library while James is sitting on one of the bean bag chairs, looking at the photos in the book about chicks. I began looking for Darcy Coates' books. She is my favorite author of horror fiction. I found the book "The Carrow Haunt" and took it to the checkout station. While at the checkout station, Adam approached and told me that he had some newly hatched chicks in his brooder if I wanted us to go to the farm and see them. "James would absolutely love that," I replied. We returned to the truck and headed to Adam's parents' farm.

The farm is so beautiful. We drive through the white gate and down the long driveway. On the left side of the driveway, inside white fencing, are multiple Jersey cows, and on the right side of the driveway are goats and a couple of horses. We pulled up to this farm-style white house with a wrap-around porch. I spot Felix sitting on the porch resting. "This is my parent's house, which I live in now that both my parents are in an assisted living facility," Adam explained. "We will be going to what I call the baby barn."

The baby barn is a small white barn with black trim. A few young chickens are running inside the barn, and a large wooden box stands near the center of the back wall. I can hear little chirps coming from inside the box. Adam ushered James and me closer to the chest. "Inside the box, we have a few Orpington chicks." He pointed to the little orange fluff-ball chicks. "This is a heating plate that keeps the chicks warm." He pointed to a yellow, rectangular object. "Ya'll can hold one if you want." He takes out two of the chicks and puts one in my hands and the other in James' hands. "Just be really gentle because they are so little," he exclaimed. "Mommy, they are so cute and warm," James said excitedly. I look at the little chick in my hand and pet its fuzzy little head. A huge smile comes across my face; then I look up at Adam, who is staring at me with a slight grin, which has my heart beating fast again. "They are cute little babies, James," he told my son. "These chicks will stay in this box, called a brooder box until they are about six to eight weeks old," Adam explained.

After we were done visiting the chickens, Adam drove us home. He exited the car and walked us inside, holding the door open. "That was so much fun. Thank you, Adam," my son said. My mom came and greeted us inside and took Jameson to get ready for a nap.

Adam stood awkwardly beside me, then changed his posture and lowered his voice. I could tell he wanted to say something. "Everything okay?" I asked him. "Well, I was wondering if sometime you would like to go to Georgie's with me one night?" he asked me. My hand starts twisting my hair soothingly to control my excitement and confusion. "As like a date?" I asked. He cleared his throat. "Yeah, something like that." He said shyly as his hand went up and ran his hands through his hair. My face blushes: I try to keep my composure and reply, "That sounds lovely. I would like to go with you." "Is tomorrow night okay for you?" he asked. "Yeah, tomorrow will be good," I replied. "Well, I must go get some farm chores done. I had a really great time today with you and James. He is a good kid." He spoke. "It was enjoyable today," I said with a smile.