Everyone was happy for Ashley, and after dinner she counted the hours till bedtime.
Finally it was Monday morning and Ashley felt buzzy about the fact. With everything in her, she knew it was going to be the best pumpkin patch day ever!
The school bus pulled up to Bloomington’s Blossom Farm and the students and chaperones all piled out. The bus happened to park right next to a puddle.
“Please step over the muddy water,” Mr. Garrett shouted more than once.
Even still Elliot plopped right into it. Water sprayed everywhere, and two of the chaperones screamed. But Elliot just laughed, like maybe he preferred muddy shoes on a pumpkin patch day.
Ashley understood. Mud was a pretty fun situation.
On the way to the ticket booth, Mom walked with Ashley. “That boy who jumped in the puddle… is he a troublemaker?”
“No.” Ashley shook her head. A thought hit her. “Elliot is a… trouble-faker.”
Mom took Ashley’s hand in hers. “I haven’t heard of that.”
“Well. It’s when someone likes to be goofy and make people laugh.” She looked back at Elliot. He was jumping along while the other kids walked. Ashley raised her eyebrows at her mother. “Adults might think he’s making trouble. But he’s only faking, Mother. You know, to be included in the jokes and stuff.”
“Ashley’s right.” Suddenly Landon Blake was walking with them. “Elliot’s had some low moments. Like when he blew gum into Ashley’s hair.” Landon winked at Ashley. “But he’s a good friend.”
Then Ashley remembered. Her mother didn’t know this unlikely friend! Ashley pointed at him. “This is Landon Blake.” She cupped her hands around her mouth and whispered toward her mother. “I thought he was a menace. But he’s fine. I checked.”
“Landon! Come look at the hogs!” Chris shouted from a ways ahead.
“See you later, Ashley.” Landon jogged off toward Chris. He looked back. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Baxter.”
“Bye.” Ashley watched Landon go. She turned to her mom. “He’s the boy who won the other half of the medals at Field Day.”
“I see.” Her mother smiled. “He seems nice.”
“Yes.” Ashley smiled. “He’s one of my unlikely friends.”
Once they were past the gates, the kids broke into groups. Everyone had to be back at the barn for lunch, which gave them three hours to explore. Ashley’s group had Natalie and Elliot and Chris and Landon.
The tractor hayride was first for their group. Ashley and her friends climbed onto the trailer behind the tractor and found seats on bales of hay. Ashley’s mom sat in the middle between Ashley and Natalie.
“Mrs. Baxter.” Natalie grinned at Ashley’s mother as the tractor set off across the field. “I’m glad I’m in your group.”
“Because…” Ashley kissed her mother’s cheek. “You, Mom, are the chaperone extraordinaire.”
They passed five cows and Elliot began making mooing sounds.
“Elliot!” Ashley tapped his shoulder. “Cows don’t like people pretending to be in the flock.”
“Really?” Chris gave her a funny look. “A flock of cows?”
“Yes.” Ashley tried to stand but the tractor hit a bump and she crashed back to the hay bale. “Flock means lots, Chris. Lots of cows, of course.”
Natalie gave Ashley a nervous look. Then she whispered, “Herd. It’s a herd, Ashley.”
Mom winced and gave her a little nod. Her face said Natalie was right.
Ashley did a small cough and stared around Natalie to Chris. “Flock herd. That’s what I’m saying. Cows flock in their herd.”
Elliot mooed again and Ashley responded with a moo of her own. The others did the same, but not like Ashley and Elliot. They were the best mooers in Mr. Garrett’s class.
The tractor sputtered up a grassy hill where they had a view of the whole farm, including the goat pen and the corn maze. Then as they passed a coop of chickens, a huge field of pumpkins came into view.
They stopped and Ashley’s group scampered off the trailer. Ashley ran ahead of her mother. She zigzagged through the patch, jumping over vines and examining each pumpkin. “I know you’re here, perfect pumpkin!” She skipped over another vine. “Where are you?”
Just then Mom held out a pumpkin. “Here! Ashley, look!” It was perfectly round and had the best stem in all the patch.
Ashley squealed. “I love it.” She grabbed the pumpkin and hugged it. “I will name him Clancy.”
Her mother brushed her hands on her jeans. “That’s a nice name.”
“Thank you.” Ashley held Clancy the pumpkin tight. “Just so you know… I’m having the best day with you today.” She hugged her Mom’s waist.
“So am I, sweetheart.” Mom held Ashley tight. “So am I.”
The group decided on the corn maze next. Only Mom stayed back with a few of the chaperones. Everyone except Natalie was excited to make their way through the maze. Natalie was worried about her radiant red rain boots. That’s what she called them.
They were partway through the confusing trail when Elliot stopped. “Um. I think we made a wrong turn.” He was definitely trying to sound brave. But his knees were shaking. He sneezed. “Plus I think this corn is getting the best of my allergies.”
“We should’ve brought my mom.” Ashley tossed her hands. “Now we’ll live the rest of our lives out here in this maze.”
“I told you this was a bad idea.” Natalie stared at her new boots. They were brown now, covered in mud. “My boots are ruined!”
“Well what did you think they were for?” Elliot wiped his nose with his sleeve.
Natalie crossed her arms. “I thought they were for being cute.”
Landon and Chris had gotten ahead of them, so it was just Ashley, Natalie and Elliot now. Ashley stood between Natalie and Elliot. “Stop! We won’t find civilization by fighting about rain boots!”
At that exact moment a loud shout came at them through the corn. “BOO!” Chris jumped through the stalks onto the path next to them. Ashley, Natalie and Elliot all dropped to the ground at the same
