I stormed into the kitchen fast,
My backpack soaked, my mood downcast.
“It’s ruined,” I sighed, “the whole thing’s gone.
I’ve waited all week—and now it’s just gone.”

Dad glanced up from his steaming mug.
Rain drummed the windows like a shrug.
“What’s ruined, kid?” he asked with care.
“The concert,” I moaned. “It’s not fair!”

My sneakers squeaked as I paced the floor.
“They said it’s canceled—because of the storm.
I had it planned, from my shoes to my hair.
Now what’s the point? It’s just not fair.”

Dad nodded slowly, letting me vent.
He knew this meant more than where I went.
“I get it,” he said, “the letdown’s real.
But maybe there’s more behind what you feel.”

I frowned, arms crossed. “It’s just so dumb.
It’s not like I wanted a trip to Rome.”
He smiled a little. “Still hits the same—
when hopes get dashed, there’s no one to blame.”

“Life throws curveballs, more than a few.
And not just rainstorms messing with you.
There’ll be bigger stuff—tests you didn’t expect,
moments that twist, plans that deflect.”

I sat at the table, chin in my hand.
“This was supposed to be something grand.”
“I know,” he said, “and it still can be—
just maybe not today at 3:03.”

I stared out the window, the clouds moving fast.
“This weather won’t always last.”
I opened my phone and typed with a grin,
“They’re live-streaming! I can still tune in.”

Dad laughed. “See? That spark’s still there.”
And just like that, I breathed lighter air.

_{“Raincheck Reality” by Nina D. Smith, published by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. Retelling of “The Disappointment” from Little Ann and Other Poems by Jane and Ann Taylor.}

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“Raincheck Reality” is best suited for middle school students in grades 6–8, offering relatable themes of disappointment, resilience, and emotional growth through accessible language and a modern parent-teen dynamic.