A rain drop slipped from the crack in the ceiling and fell onto Bart's forehead. He heard the school children whooping outside his window and Gus shuffling around at the foot of the bed.
It was time for the day to begin. Bart wondered what he would see today.
He walked carefully down the creaky wooden steps, grasping the handrail tightly. The scent of fresh biscuts drifted into the kitchen; Bart felt his stomach rumble. He hoped Mrs. Gilliard saved a few for him. He grabbed his umbrella and followed Gus out the front door.
The air outside was wet and warm. Bart could hear the trolley car humming and thunder rolling in the distance. He sat down on the stoop under his rusty umbrella. Before long he heard footsteps running toward …show more content…
He tapped his feet to the music while the cool fountain spray hit his face. The sweet smell of the Magnolia tree reminded him of his old backyard rope swing. People walked by and dropped money into his metal cup. Clink!
After a while a familiar deep voice boomed out behind him. It belonged to Simon, who was trudging up the concrete path. “Hey there, Mr. Bart! What's going on?”
“I don't know Simon, you tell me! Tell me, what do you see today?”
Simon sat down beside Bart on the bench. He silently put a dollar into his metal cup.
“I see the sky clearing up. The sunshine is hitting the stained glass windows on the church. I see a lazy shrimp boat chugging down the river. A man in old dirty clothes is dancing with a lady holding a fuzzy purple parasol.”
Bart took a deep breath. The sounds of the brass band began to fade away.
“Are you getting hungry?” Simon asked. “Are you ready to go on to Miss Shirley's?” “I am.” Bart replied. “Let's go.”
Simon, Bart and Gus crossed the street to Miss Shirley's. Bart could smell jambalaya and hear voices shouting in the kitchen. The air was turning