The Walking

Chapter fourteen

The sound of thunder woke me up. A flash of lightening made me throw the blankets. I ran over to the window to see rain falling. Today was our last day in Alabama, so I wanted to make the most of it. I threw on a white, short sleeve shirt, shorts, and my shoes. I went downstairs to see no one around. I snuck to the kitchen and decided to be nice. I grabbed what I needed and started cooking. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, everything. I was focused on cooking that I didn't hear Jenny's grandma come down.

"Oh, Toby." she said making me jump. 

"Oh, gosh. Good morning, grandma." I said flipping the bacon onto a plate. She sat down as Jenny's parents came down.

"Good morning, Toby." they said.

"Good morning." I greeted them. Jenny came down next. 

"Morning, Toby." she said wrapping her arms around my waist and burying her face in my neck.

"Morning, Jenny." I said. She unlatched from me and sat down. I served the breakfast and a knock was heard from the front door. I ran over thinking it was important. I opened it up to see Kenzie, Mike, Adam, Chucky, and Jackson. They walked from their houses and were soaking wet.

"H-hi, Toby." Kenzie said shivering.

"Oh my god, get in here all of you." I said pulling them in the house. I ran to grab some dry towels and threw them at them. They sat down and had breakfast with us until they were dry. It was going for noon and the rain stopped. 

"Well, I think it's time to go." Kenzie said. "I'm gonna miss you guys. I love you both." she added as she hugged us.

"I'll text you when I get home, OK?" Jenny said. She nodded.

"See ya." I said. She waved and went over to the door to wait. Mike was next. He looked at me and pulled me in for a tight hug. 

"I'll talk to you later. You have my number so if you have any problems, I'm just one call away." he said. I hugged him back and nodded.

"I think it's time." I whispered. He nodded and took in a deep breath. He walked over to Jenny and took her hands in his.

"Jenny, I have to tell you something." he started. "Ever since we met, you've stood by my side and helped me through life. Meeting Toby and becoming friends with her is a plus in my life. She's helped me put this together by giving me pointers and advice." he started chocking up so I encouraged him.

"It's OK, keep going." I said patting his back. He looked up to face Jenny. He pulled out a promise ring and fell to one knee. 

"Jenny, would you do the honor in making me the happiest man in Alabama by being my girl?" Mike asked as tears formed in his eyes. Jenny covered her mouth with her hands as she started crying too. Kenzie started bawling as she ran over to me with her arms open for a hug. I got a little teary too and pulled Kenzie in for a hug. 

"Yes. Yes, I will." Jenny said crying. Now, Adam and them started to cry while hugging each other. Mike slipped the ring on Jenny's finger and stood up to hug her. Jenny kissed him and now we were all crying. 

"G-group h-hug." I said opening my arms. We gathered in a circle and cried together.

"What's going on?" someone said. We looked up to see the adults standing in the doorway. 

"Mom, dad. Mike and I are together." Jenny said. 

"Oh my gosh, I knew this would happen." her mom said hugging her.

"Well, welcome to the family, son." her dad said shaking hands with him. 

"Thank you, sir." he said. He gave Jenny a kiss and walked to the door with Kenzie. Adam was next and still crying.

"I'll talk to you later, Jenny." he said hugging her.

"Bye." she said.

"See you around." he said hugging me.

"See ya." I said hugging him back. Chucky was crying also.

"Bye, Toby." he said.

"Bye, Chucky. Don't forget the rubber." I said. We hugged and he went over to the door. Jackson was beginning to toughen up.

"Talk to you later, call if you need anything." he said.

"I will." Jenny said.

"Bye." he said to me.

"See ya." I said hugging him. He walked to the door and they all waved goodbye before walking out the front door.