Chapter 9

The first mean kid asks them, "Where's your ice cream?" The second mean kid cruelly points out, "They're poor…they can't pay for ice cream." The third mean kid taunts, "Yeah…you can't buy this ice cream with Food Stamps… ain't that right; poor kids?" The first mean kid starts to wave his ice cream cone in front of their faces and teases, "Gee; that's too bad…" then he takes a long lick and continues, "‘cause this ice cream sure tastes good." The second mean kid takes a lick from his cone and spitefully concurs, "Sure is." They walk away eating their ice cream cones; leaving the brother and sister on the curb looking dejected. This has hurt Adele deeply. She can just imagine what they must be feeling like inside; for she has been there all too often herself. She immediately leaves the line and heads over to them. Sarah asks Nadine, "Where's she going?" Nadine turns around. "I don't know." Adele sits down on the curb next to them. "Hi; I'm Adele. Who are you?" The boy answers, "I'm Bobby. This is my sister Ellie." She shakes their hands. "Good to meet you, Bobby and Ellie. Say; do you like ice cream?" They sullenly nod their heads. "Do you want some?" The siblings look to each other; then Ellie looks back down to the street while Bobby faces Adele and informs her… "We can't…" he looks down shamefully, "we're poor. We don't have any money." "Well…I have money. I'll buy you ice cream if you want." They both instantly look up to her with their faces beaming. "Come on; let's go get some." Nadine watches, with a big smile stretching across her face, as the two little ones joyously follow Adele across the street to the ice cream stand. When the ticket window opens, Sarah remarks, "Nadine…if Mother Theresa's finished feeding the masses…the line's starting to move. She needs to get back here." Nadine calls out, "Adele…come on; we're getting ready to go in." Adele tells the siblings, "I gotta go now. See you." She starts to walk away, but is quickly stopped by Ellie; who grabs Adele by the arm and pulls her down to her. Ellie throws her arms around Adele's neck and whispers in her ear… "Thank you, Adele." Another smile emerges on Nadine's face as she watches the little girl release Adele and give her a humongous smile. Adele slowly heads back towards the theatre. When she gets there, Sarah tells her… "Adele, get back in line; we're almost up to the window." Adele remains standing out of the line; and is momentarily silent. She finally says… "That's okay…I changed my mind." Sarah immediately turns to Nadine. "What's she talking about…changed her mind? Nadine?" "Adele; what's the matter?" "Nothing…I just…I don't want to see the movie; that's all. I'll just wait out here." "For two hours? You can't…" "It's fine. I don't mind waiting." It suddenly dawns upon Nadine. "Wait a minute…did you spend all your money to buy the ice cream?" Adele looks down to the ground and remains silent. "You did… didn't you?" Still looking down at the ground, Adele nods. Not believing what she's just heard, Sarah exclaims, "Oh my God; you've got to be kidding me. So you don't have any money left for the movie?" Janice criticizes, "That was dumb." Trish quickly agrees, "Yeah; it was." Nadine glares at the three of them. "Guys." She turns to Adele, "That's okay; I'll buy your ticket." Adele looks up at Nadine, then turns and sees the judgmental looks Nadine's friends are giving her. "That's alright, Nadine; I'd rather just wait outside until your mom comes." Adele glumly walks across the street and sits on a bus stop bench. Again, Nadine Martin has always held a soft spot in her heart for Adele Wilson; but after witnessing the sacrifice that Adele had made there today, that previous feeling of what can best be described as mere sympathy for Adele has transformed into a deep admiration towards her. Nadine realizes that Adele's sacrifice was more than just her not being able to see a movie; but one much more monumental.