When It Rains: The Umbrella Collection Read Online Free PDF Page B

hasn’t mastered the skill in wrapping them.  Out of the mess came an umbrella that was black with yellow stars covering the surface.  “I like.” I stated shaking my head up and down.
    “It’s ugly.   You and your fucking crazy obsession,” the voice said reappearing after a long hiatus.
    Go away , I thought to myself.  Go away , I repeated and occupied my mind by trying to mentally find a space in the house to fit this new additive, until it went away. 
    “Thanks so much, Pops.” I said after a moment of silence and I stood up and gave him another hug.
      At that moment, Alex came out trying not to miss a step down the porch while he carried a cake that was ablaze with candles and began a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ and everyone else joined in.  It didn’t sound good, but it’s the thought that counts.  He slowly walked over to where we sat and placed the cake in front of me.  I sat there listening, slightly embarrassed and waited for them to finish.  When they did I took in a deep breath, closed my eyes, and wished for my life to be filled with happiness and exhaled dramatically causing the fire to extinguish.  Brian cut the cake and Alex handed each piece off to someone while Skylar walked around giving a cupcake to everyone.  But, not to Sarah; she is watching her figure. 
    “Well, I think its game time,” I proudly said after I was finished eating and an echo of “Ugh”s followed.   I guess the guys didn’t want to be a part of a ‘Just Dance’ party.  “Come on.  You guys promised,” I said and I was almost begging.
    “Okay, we did promise,” Elijah chimed in and stood to walk into the house and everyone else did the same.
    Inside, Drew and Evan removed the long couch with the rooster pillows from the family room. Brady and Colin grabbed the small one with the plaid pillows.  John picked up the coffee table to put it across the hall to make room for some dancing as I pushed Pops’ recliner to the corner of the room.
    “Let the games begin,”  Brian said unenthusiastically as he pushed play on the game system and everyone got into position.  The rest of the night was filled with the delight of a bunch of men that couldn’t find the beat and two girls that were showing them how it was done.  After that game, we followed it up by a game of bowling on the Wii, in which I won, surprisingly since I typically lose.  Then it was time to call it a night.  They enjoyed it.  I could tell by the look on their faces, but I’m sure this pack of manly men would deny it.  Mike walked down the hall to grab his jacket and things from the kitchen and an umbrella happened to be in his path.
    “God damn it!   These fucking things!” he swore and kicked it into the corner.
    “Hey, I don’t believe those fucking things grew feet and moved in your fucking way.   So, perhaps you should watch where you are fucking going.” I declared with attitude as Mike shooed me away.  I will defend them to my death.
    As everyone was leaving I yelled out the weather forecast for tomorrow something that I have always done.   “There’s a 55% chance of rain tomorrow” I said as I kissed each person goodbye. “So, be careful and use that umbrella I gave you.”  Pops and I, stood on the front porch waving goodbye to them all as they left and I then realized that the voice had been gone for a while now and I don’t feel it lingering and on the verge of speaking.  I felt good. 
    Pops turned to me and said, “Another piece of cake?”
    “You know me so well.”
    I sat up that night getting used to my new computer and watching ‘Harry Potter’ and I suddenly heard Diablo.   That’s weird, I thought to myself.  Being that it’s only 3 o’clock in the morning I know for certain it is not Pops. He goes to sleep early and wakes up early.  I waited, anticipating hearing another sound, but nothing followed.  So, I shrugged it off and went back to what I was