The Rain Brings Flowers

Ch. 2

The school day went by quickly, but it was fantastic. Abby seemed to have no trouble, but was still a little shy. I can't wait until she comes over for our impromptu sleep over. I hope I can be good for her. Lately I haven't been good for anyone but myself. I can't believe I've been acting so selfishly. Especially after all that has been done for me in the past. The doorbell trilled shaking me from my self disappointment. "Come on in!" I shouted and ran down the stairs falling down the last three.

"Marlie you're klutz!" Abby laughed as she walked in with her night bag in hand. I laughed and agreed. We got to my room and Abby gasped before laughing some more. "I can't believe your room is so messy! It was clean earlier."

I nodded and then went back to my project. I was cleaning my closet out keeping only what I wear and giving the rest away. "I'm doing some spring cleaning. That pile is stuff that I think will fit you", I pointed to a huge pile of clothes by the vanity, my aunt thinks I'm an extra small and I'm not. "Have at it keep whatever you want to. Oh and you have to keep that sweeter dress, you look so darling in it!"

"Did you just say darling?" I nodded and smiled at her question. "And I can't keep that stuff it's gorgeous and expensive." She walked over and picked up a lilac lace dress and felt it.

"Yes, you can. I can't even dream of fitting into them and right now the only ones who use it are moths; for food. So go through it and have fun!" I have her a reassuring smile and she started picking through with vigor. That began a fashion show. Abby would step behind the changing blind and then come out strutting her stuff. I on the other hand would come out twirling, for I was trying on the skirts in my closet, and everyone knows a skirt has to twirl. Abbey ended up claiming all of the items, excluding the rainbow sweaters that I swear I got in second grade.

Our stomachs growled in unison telling us that we had been playing dress up for a while. "Um, not to be rude, but what's for dinner?" Abbey laughed. "I mean it's like eight already."

That got me thinking that we looked too good to just order pizza. We decided to give each other make overs, so we were really dolled up. "Let's go out for pizza, we look way to nice to eat in." Abby's eyes lit up before she denied my complement. "We must I insist Miss Abigail." With my reaffirmation we set out to eat the local pizza restaurant Paulo's Italiano. Super classy I know but it is I promise, Paulo is from New York City.

The restaurant was packed for it being so late on a Friday night. It must have been the rain. We were seated near the back by a booth of kids scribbling over the paper table cloth. They were all excited and talking animatedly about having pizza. "Aren't they cute?" I asked Abby. She smiled at them and nodded in agreement. I began to wonder if she had any siblings. So I asked.

"I do, two sisters, Liz and Mady. But they live with my dad back home." She looked down at her hands with a remorseful look on her face. I was about to ask what was troubling her when our waiter came.

"Hello Ladi..." He greated us but was cut off by one of the adorable kids siting at the table asking when they will get their pizza. It was then that I realized they were without an adult. "At the end of my shift Wy." He whispered to a sulking child saying something about what's left is theirs'. "I'm sorry about that," He apologized, "those are my siblings." He smiled and motioned to the table of four kids. They had to be under ten. And one was a toddler. They all waved and the littlest, a curly haired blond crawled into my lap. Luke, I read his name tag, went to grab for the cutie.

I just laughed and looked down at the little boy on my lap. Something tugged at my heart and I almost wept. I can't exactly say why. "He's fine," I smiled at the exasperated looking boy. "We will take what ever Miss Abbey orders. And I will be right back." I got up from the table with the little'n in my arms. Going over to the other table I sat with the other three boys. I smiled and they all began to speak at once. I eventually found out their names, the one in my arms was Colton, the little brunette asking for dinner was Wy, the one with shaggy dishwater blond hair was Gare, and the oldest at the ripe old age of ten was Jace. I also found out that they love cheese only pizza and bread sticks with sauce. Also Lemon Lime was their favorite sodapop.

I slid back into my booth, feeling a tug at my shirt; it was Colton. Again my heart broke so I picked him and he snuggled close. "We will have whatever Abby ordered. Also two cheeses, breadsticks with sauce, and a pitcher of Lemon-lime please." The boys perked up and began to babble again.

"You don't have to do that Miss, they will eat in three hours. They are jus..."

"I want to, Luke. It's the least I can do. I mean look at those cuties. Plus I don't have little brothers to spoil." So fished out the money and gave him more than was needed. Then I looked at Abby, "Do you think you we have the room for some stinky boys to sit with us?" I looked behind me and laughed when Jace called "We are not stinky... today."

"I think we have more than enough room." She smiled widely. The boys came over, Jace sitting by me, Wy by Abby, and Gare sat at the end of the table in a chair.

The food came, Abbey orders pepperoni for us, and the boys devoured it. Except for Colton, he was sleeping on my shoulder. The boys reverently drank the sodapop. I giggled a little at this. It was a grand time full of jokes and laughter. I found out Wy was eight, Gar was seven, and Colton was two. I also found out that they lived with just Luke who was seventeen about to turn eighteen. Also found out that their mom ran off a long time ago with some strange man.

The crowd had all but left and it was just us, and all the staff. "They are all asleep," Abby whispered. And they were. Jace on me, Gare on him, and Wy on Abby. It was a sweet sight that broke my heart. Thoughts of going to work with my mom before school came into my mind. I was like this once too, except no one really ran off. I was just forgotten for a while.

Luke passed by and stopped, mouth agape. "They like you." He came up behind Gare. "That's amazing. They never like women, well females... Well ladies..." He stammered.

"I get your drift. I'm honored to be liked by them. They are all sweet boys." I smiled at him hoping to easy his worry. "They were great, really. I would love to do this again."

He didn't say anything just fidgeted for a moment. "That'd be great." I'm afraid it's closing time. The boys are fine to stay, but I think you should leave." He began to give my change but I asked him what he was doing that I payed with exact change, and that I didn't even give him a tip. He understood that I meant keep the change.

Abby got up and went to the bathroom leaving me with the five boys. Luke sat down for a moment. "Why are you doing this?" He looked confused. "We aren't a charity case you know."

"I don't know. I just wanted to help. I hope I didn't offend you." I looked down at the still sleeping Colton. "They are all sweet you know. I thought I'd do something for them." I was a little taken back by the animosity that laced his words. "May I at least give these sleepy ones a ride home? I'll stay with them until you get back." I felt like I was pleading. But, I didn't want to the the boys just yet. "Please, they are tired and I drive a mini van."

He shook his head. I blushed. I don't know what was taking over me. He smiled a bit. "You are strange, Marlie. Too trusting." He got up and started to head away. "I will get their coats. For some reason I trust you."

"Thank you." I smiled and went to heat up the van. We buckled the boys in the car, they were all fast alseep still. Abby sat in the car while Luke gave me directions. "I know you think I'm strange, but I do to. I mean don't know why I want to do this. I just do. I think God is leading me.

"Well, God is sure awesome, because those boys deserve more than I am able to give on late nights." He leaned against the car and shut his eyes for a moment. "Thank you Marlie." With that I drove the munchkins home .