Michael clearly is a free spirit, but I also think that he is being construed as a child – in a positive sense. Rather than blaming him for being immature (sort of like "A Strange Boy" from Hejira), she thinks highly of his carefree outlook. This is all reinforced by the sweets, Michael playing in the rain, and the yellow slickers splashing home to supper.
Michael clearly is a free spirit, but I also think that he is being construed as a child – in a positive sense. Rather than blaming him for being immature (sort of like "A Strange Boy" from Hejira), she thinks highly of his carefree outlook. This is all reinforced by the sweets, Michael playing in the rain, and the yellow slickers splashing home to supper.