Chapter Sixteen: Blind and Content

As the week flew by, Autumn was about to come as James was able to work on the railway again by shunting trucks at Knapford Yards and Station with the help of Edward. Although he didn't like the job, he was at least happy that he could be really useful again. What's more, his therapy became more challenging by learning to pull coaches without seeing. Unfortunately for James, it was no easy task as he was required to listen to his surroundings.

However, Dr. Clarity will remind James that patience is a virtue, and when he's better at it or by luck, his eyesight comes back; he can do the jobs he enjoys the most. What's more, he was surprised that Cara joined his therapy session by being the passenger. This was challenging for James as he didn't want to go too fast without knowing where he was going or put on the brakes too suddenly, which would harm Cara.

Luckily, Cara was very encouraging as Ryder and Carter also encouraged their tender engine. Despite all the new challenges and changes, James managed to pull through, and what's more, he slowly began not to feel sorry for himself. In fact, he was getting used to being blind, and if it weren't for all the support from his friends and Cara teaching him how to appreciate life without his eyes, he would be stuck in misery.

It was Day Fifteen of James' therapy, and Dr. Clarity showed up in her usual shiny white car with Cara being inside. James waited along with Edward inside of Knapford Station as the two people hopped out of their vehicle and approached the two engines, "Good morning, Edward, and good morning, James!", spoke Dr. Clarity with such enthusiasm.

"Good morning, Clarity.", the two engines chimed.

Not long after, Cara greeted as well as she waved, "Hello, James and Edward!"

James and Edward chuckled heartily as they replied, "Hello, Cara."

"I'm glad you came again.", James smiled warmly.

Cara smiled back as Dr. Clarity spoke, "Now, we will test you again on you pulling passengers, James. Are you ready?"

"I think so.", James replied with a bit of uncertainty.

"You think so?", Dr. Clarity questioned as she corrected him, "Let's try again! Are you ready?"

James realised what he said until he gasped and gave a broad smile, "Yes, I am, Ma'am!"

"That's better!", Dr. Clarity smiled as she and Cara waited on the platform for the coaches to arrive, "Now, Edward will deliver some coaches for you."

With that, Edward didn't waste time reversing back and fetching a single red coach. Once he collected it, he slowly approached James from behind as the coach was close behind James. James felt a gentle bump from the coach as Edward explained, "Your coach is here!"

James smiled as Edward reversed back to change tracks to be next to James. As that occurred, the coach was coupled behind James as Dr. Clarity and Cara went to coach. Before they entered inside, Cara whispered, "Good luck, James."

Once the two went inside, Edward was next to James as Dr. Clarity opened one of the coach's windows and blew a whistle to signal James. When the red engine heard that queue, he whistled as he slowly puffed his pistons, "Steady now, James.", said Carter.

There, James pulled the coaches as gently as he could. Edward couldn't help but feel proud of his friend as on his first day of pulling coaches, he rushed and put on the brakes too early, "That's it, James. You got this."

James' once slight frown turned into a big smile as he felt proud. As he puffed his way from Knapford Station, Dr. Clarity put her head out of the window and whistled. James gasped silently as he applied his brakes as cautiously as he could. Luckily, he used the brakes correctly as he didn't hear any complaints.

"That's very good, James!", Dr. Clarity shouted as she gave another instruction, "Now, I want you to reverse back until I signal you to stop."

James obeyed as he slowly reversed back. Edward guided him as he did so while encouraging him, "That's it. You got this, James."

Once again, the red engine smiled as he felt like he was improving. As he approached Knapford Station, Cara put her head out of the window and cheered for him, "Go, James! Go! Go, James! Go!"

James couldn't help but chuckle as he made his way into Knapford Station. Once he was inside of Knapford Station, Dr. Clarity blew her whistle loudly. James gasped silently again as he applied his brakes. However, he did it too quickly, which caused the coach to jolt. He gasped in horror as he asked worriedly, "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay!", Cara replied confidently.

"It's all good, James.", Dr. Clarity assured the red engine as she and Cara hopped out of the coach.

Once the two exited the coach, Cara went to James' running plate, and she hugged him on the cheek, "You did it!"

James smiled at Cara as he chuckled, "I sure hope so!"

"You certainly did, James, but you did make a little error on your last task, but I must say, you have improved significantly. Pretty soon, you'll be able to pull coaches again.", Dr. Clarity spoke.

James understood his little error, but hearing he might pull coaches sooner than later made him feel excited. He couldn't wait to pull coaches again. Cara giggled before letting go of James, "As much as I would like to spend time with you, but I have to go shopping with Mum to buy some new stuff for the upcoming school."

This made James give a pouty face, but he knew that Cara had school soon, so he understood, "Okay, Cara!" I'll see you soon!"

Cara heard the pouty noise from James as she smiled, "It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

James felt better knowing he could hang out with his best friend again as the two bid each other farewell. Dr. Clarity approached the red engine and reminded James, "Remember, you can achieve anything if you want it."

With that, Dr. Clarity thanked Edward, Ryder, and Carter for helping James' therapy as she guided Cara towards her car as she drove off. Once they were out of sight, James couldn't help but smile with such contentment. He felt proud that he was improving, but having friends supporting him along the way made him slowly forget that being blind was a bad thing. All James did as Edward went to fetch the coach was look up and whisper, "Thank you."

In the afternoon, James and Edward continued to shunt trucks when suddenly, they heard a rumbling noise from the sky. This spooked James a bit as the two looked up, "Looks like it's going to rain.", Edward stated.

With that, a drop of rain landed on James' nose, and he began to tingle his nose, "It's rain, alright.", James replied.

"I think we should find shelter until it's clear. We don't have much shunting to do.", Edward suggested as she reversed and went inside of Knapford Yards.

However, to Edward's surprise, James was standing in the rain, smiling with such content as he closed his eyes. It was odd as James usually doesn't like rain, but to see him this calm surprised him. As Edward watched, James sighed to himself as he began to think about the past while thunder was booming.

FLASHBACK BEGINS

Rain poured heavily at Tidmouth Sheds as James looked at the rain miserable, "Bother. It's raining.", he mumbled to himself.

However, Cara, who was sitting on his running plate, smiled as she closed her eyes, "I like the sound of the rain.", she commented.

This got James puzzled as he raised his eyebrow, "You do?"

"I do. It's peaceful and calming.", Cara as she sighed.

"But you do nothing when it rains. All I do is wait for it to go away.", James explained as he frowned.

Cara understood that James disagreed, but she hoped to make him see, "The rain may look gloomy to you, but for me, it's beautiful."

"How?", James asked curiously.

"Just close your eyes and hear the rain.", Cars replied as she closed her eyes while she grabbed out her grandmother's guitar and strummed the strings.

There, James closed his eyes as he tried to focus on the noise of the rain. He heard the water rushing down the pipes as the rain landed hard on the roof, the ground, and the windows. At first, James didn't find it beautiful until Cara strummed the guitar more and sang quietly.

"Drip, drip, drop.

Little April shower.

Beating a tune.

As you fall all around.

Drip, drip, drop.

Little April shower.

What can compare.

To your beautiful sound."

As James heard the beautiful song, he began to look at the windows and saw how the rain drops glided down the panel as the rain made a beautiful whooshing noise. While Cara sang, James began to slowly understand what Cara meant as he looked at the little girl with a gentle smile as he slowly shut his eyes and listened to the beautiful noise of the rain.

"Drip, drip, drop.

When the sky is cloudy.

Your pretty music.

Can brighten the day.

Drip, drip, drop.

When the sun says howdy.

You say goodbye right away."

Before Cara could continue her singing, thunder roared ferociously as it frightened her. There, Cara screamed as she tucked her face into James' cheek. James was surprised about this, "Cara? What's wrong?"

"It's the thunder.", she replied as she tried not to cry, "They scare me."

"Why's that?", James asked, "If you like the rain, then why not thunder? It can't hurt you."

"Because… it's too loud.", Cara replied as she looked at James, even though she couldn't see.

This made James frown a bit as he knew that Cara was afraid of thunder; as he tried to think of a way to cheer Cara up, "Hey, Cara? Why don't you make a song about thunder?"

"A song about thunder?", Cara asked curiously.

"Yeah. That might cheer you up.", James smiled.

Cara thought to herself before she began to think of a tune. When she changed her music on the guitar, she began to strum and make up a song.

"Boom, boom, did you hear that sound?

Boom, boom, it's thunder's pound."

Cara stopped as she looked at James. James thought as he then added.

"Boom, boom, the thunder is feeling proud.

Boom, boom, the noise can't be drowned."

Cara liked it as she giggled, "Hey, it's not that bad!"

James felt proud to help his friend, "See. Thunder can't hurt you. I think the noise is just as beautiful as the rain.", he assured her as the tel continued to make up a song about the thunder.

"Boom, boom, the noise doesn't make me frown.

Boom, boom, the thunder is crashing down.

Boom, boom, the clouds are grey to brown."

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Boom, boom, the thunder is wearing a crown."

James sang quietly as he sighed to himself. The sound of the rain and thunder was musical, the feeling of rain dripping on him was satisfying, and smelling the rain was calming. As James relaxed, he heard a voice, "James? What are you doing? Come inside? You'll freeze."

This made James open his eyes and mouth in confusion and surprise as he slowly reversed into Knapford Sheds next to Edward, "Slowly about that.", James blushed sheepishly.

"It's okay, James. I was curious to know why you were in the rain?", Edward asked.

James replied calmly and quietly, "I like the sound of the rain."

"Really?", Edward asked in surprise.

"Yes. It's calming, and it's better than seeing it. Actually, I think hearing is better.", James explained.

"Wow, James. I must say. Cara really showed you the real beauty, didn't see?", Edward smiled.

"She did, and I'm glad she's my friend. She will be my friend forever.", James sighed with a smile.

"You know what, James?", Edward chuckled.

"What?", James asked with such a puzzled look.

"I believe that you can teach others what blindness is truly like. You have learnt so much, James. You should feel proud.", Edward replied.

"No, Edward.", James corrected him, "I'm blind and content."

With that, the two friends smiled at each other as they both decided to close their eyes to hear the incredible noise that the weather had to offer until the rain cleared out. James couldn't help but chuckle. He may be blind, but he realised that being blind can be a gift, and Cara is gifted. James the Red Engine was blind and content.