Maddi had taken a shortcut to the diner, and managed to beat Dean by a couple seconds. “Ha,” she teased, “I beat you!” Dean rolled his eyes at her, before grabbing the door handle and holding it open for Maddi to enter. They sit in the same window booth and the siblings order the same thing everytime, a cheeseburger and fries for Dean and Salad for Maddi, who was Gluten intolerant. Then Dean proceeds to cut his burger in half and give it to Maddi without the bun, and she gives him half of her salad.
They ate and talked about some of Maddi’s schoolwork. That was until a little bird landed on the window ledge. Dean fell silent. He claimed that he wasn’t a bird watcher, but it was so obvious he was. “What kind of bird is that, Dean?” Maddi asked her brother. “Barn swallow. They don’t usually migrate for the winter.” Maddi smiled, “What is your favorite bird?” She asked Dean this question a million times, but she loved how he explained them. “Bluebird’s, they are so kind and beautiful. Unlike so many people.” He said with a soft sigh.
“Have they migrated yet Dean?” Maddi asked her brother. “They probably have already, yeah.” The little Barn swallow flew away, and the two resumed their previous conversation. They finished eating, paid for their meal and left.
“Throw your bike into the back, it’s too dark to ride.” Maddi complied, heaving her bike into the back of Dean’s black and grey 1997 Chevy Silverado. Then she hopped into the passenger seat. They sang along to the radio on the way home. And when they got home, there was a surprise waiting for them.