Walter

Walter woke up wondering what the day would hold for him. Each day was different, a new adventure to be had and he wondered where this day would take him.

As he wandered into the kitchen, he saw that mother was by the sink washing dishes and Michael and the boys were sitting at the table eagerly devouring breakfast. All the seats were filled so Walter had to stand today.

He wasn't sure what exactly had been served, but it smelled good. Although he was unable to see what was on the table or even reach its edge, he still tried, never wavering in his attempts.

Michael noticed Walter struggling.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

Walter nodded yes.

"Here you go, I hope you like jelly on your toast."

With a big nod, Walter nodded yes. This in itself Michael found funny as Walter's head always seemed a little too big for its size and he snickered a little.

"What is going on over there Michael?" Mother asked.

"I'm just giving Walter some food, he can't reach the table."

"I thought we'd already discussed this Michael," she said before letting out a deep sigh.

"Yes, mother," replied Michael.

Mother turned around and resumed washing the dishes as she silently shook her head. One day he'll grow out of it, she thought to herself.

Michael bend down low enough so mother couldn't see him and whispered to Walter, "Don't worry about it, Walter. I've eaten enough for breakfast, so it's ok to eat my toast."

Walter eagerly reached for the jelly covered toast and promptly ate it, savoring each bite as if it had been his first. He liked this jelly toast and he hoped he'd have it again soon.

"Alright everyone, time for school. Get your lunches and be ready for the school bus." said mother.

My bag, thought Walter. I left it in the room. He raced upstairs as fast as his short little legs would carry him to retrieve it.

"Where is it? I left it here, I know it," he said as he burst into the room.

After a quick but thorough search he found it under the bed, hidden from sight with the rest of Michael's accumulated toys.

"The bus is here, everyone hurry!" Mother shouted.

Oh no, I'll miss the school bus. I'd better hurry, thought Walter as he ran as fast as he could. I wish this house didn't have so many steps; it takes me too long to go up and down them so.

"Ryan, take care of your younger brothers."

"I will, mom. Don't worry," replied Ryan.

"Goodbye children, have a great day." she yelled as Walter ran past her, "I'll see you tonight."

"Goodbye, mother. I will," replied Walter.

"Have a great day, Mrs. Maybell." shouted the bus driver. "They'll get to school safe and sound."

"Wait!" cried out Walter. "I'm not aboard yet."

Walter turned around to see if mother had noticed that he wasn't on the bus, maybe she could tell the bus driver to wait. But just as he turned around, she was already making her way into the house.

"Mother, I'm not on the bus. Mother...mother!" yelled Walter, but his small voice couldn't be heard over the sound of the school bus' engine.

Before he could cry out again, she had entered the house and the door shut behind her.

"No! Wait! I'm not on the bus!" he shouted as he turned towards the bus and started running.

Surely they've noticed that I'm not on yet, he thought.

But the doors to the bus had already closed. "No! Wait!" he cried out again.

Walter was only a few feet away from the bus' door when it began to roll away. He ran parallel to the bus in the hopes that he would be able to catch it. But it was gaining speed and within a few short seconds it had outpaced him.

Poor Walter, he hadn't even gotten to the edge of the yard and the school bus was already turning the corner of their block.

"Now I'll have to walk to school," he said to himself. "I guess I'd better be on my way."

With a deep sigh he adjusted the bag on his back and started the long walk towards school.

The day looked as though it wanted to shine but the clouds kept the rays of light hidden for the most part as he made his way down the sidewalk.

He was glad that he had put on his sweater as there was a chill in the air that morning. Every so often the sun would peek through the clouds, its ray shining down and warming him. But just as quickly that beam of warmth would disappear. He could see the sun peeking in and out of the clouds, shifting its warm rays across the ground in intricate patterns.

He wondered if the rays liked to play with those living on the ground, shading parts of the world on purpose.

Maybe that's the clouds job, he thought, to hide us from the sun every once in a while, so we don't burn up.

As he passed under a great oak that leaned over the sidewalk, the wind played with its leaves. Rays of light peeked through and danced upon the sidewalk, the grass, his face. He closed his eyes and felt the dance of light that played overhead. Beneath his eyelids it was as if a million little stars were turning off and on as they burst blindly and then disappeared into the night. How wonderful it felt.