“That’s the key. Slow down. Enjoy life.” Dot winked at Ashley. “And sing whenever you can.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Ashley saw Mom getting her coat on. Ashley smiled at Dot. “I have to leave now. We are going to my brother’s basketball game. But it was nice meeting you.” She held her hand out.
Dot shook it. “Good meeting you, too.”
“See you next time?” Ashley pointed at her new friend.
“I look forward to it.” Dot pointed back.
As Ashley walked out of Sunset Hills with Mom, she looked around, and a thought came to her. The people at Sunset Hills used to be kids. They used to have dreams and go on adventures. And one day, like Dot, they grew up. Would she and her siblings actually end up here? With only the memories of what used to be?
And suddenly Ashley could feel the clock ticking.
They needed a meeting at the rock as soon as possible.
Luke scored thirteen points in his game—more than anyone else.
Ashley figured her sign had something to do with his great game. He also got ten ribbons in the first half. Though Ashley didn’t ask Dad about that till the game was over. “Where are his ribbons?” She squinted at the boys and their coach down on the floor. “Mom said he had ten ribbons in the first half.”
“Rebounds, honey.” Dad gave her a silly look. “Can you imagine the basketball players wearing ribbons?” He pointed to the hoop. “Someone shoots and misses, and someone else grabs the ball. That’s called a rebound.”
Ashley thought she’d rather have a ribbon. But, then, basketball was Luke’s game. If he wanted these rebounds, so be it. Whatever made him happy.
The drive home took forever. Ashley couldn’t wait to get down to business. She ran to her room and grabbed a page from her sketchbook. Then she wrote out the pledge:
To the rest of the world:
We, the Baxter Children, believe in Neverland. And so we promise here and now to never grow up! To never put jobs before each other. And to never forget to have fun.
Signed:
Ashley Baxter
Beneath that she drew four lines where her siblings could sign. And below that, she drew a sketch. A pirate ship with all five Baxter kids sailing off to Neverland.
Ashley grabbed the contract. They had no time to lose. She ran through the house gathering Brooke and Kari, Erin and Luke. “Hurry! To the rock,” she yelled.
The rock was the special place they had discovered the week they moved into their new home. It sat near the stream in a clearing, behind a row of trees at the back of their property. They had painted the rock with their names and handprints and decided it was the perfect place to meet when they needed to have a serious talk.
Like the one Ashley wanted to have today.
She slipped through the trees and took the lead to the rock. As she scrambled up, she ran her fingers over the painted handprints and their names. Then she waited for the others.
Kari poked her head through the trees next. She climbed up on the rock and squinted at Ashley. “Why were you running so fast?”
“Yeah.” Luke scrambled up, too. “Good thing I’m an athlete.”
“I need water…” Erin followed him.
Brooke was last. “I need oxygen.” She joined everyone on the rock.
Ashley stood up. It was time. “Attention, Baxter Children.” She was loud enough that everyone listened. “It has been a busy few weeks. The talent show, the 5K, Career Day.” She looked at each of them. “I feel like life is moving too fast. Anyone else?”
Kari raised her hand. “I like being a sixth grader.”
“Maybe…” Luke tapped his chin and squinted his eyes. “But, then again… maybe not? I can’t be in the NBA unless life moves faster.”
“I don’t mind fast. Since Christmas is coming.” Erin clasped her hands.
“Sure, we’ve been busy.” Brooke shrugged. “But it’s just life, Ash.”
“No.” Ashley stomped her foot. “It’s not just life, Brooke. We know you’re going to grow up and go to medical school. And Kari may be a famous dancer, and Erin will teach children—even though she’s just a child herself. And Luke will be in the NBA, and I will, I will… do something amazing, I’m sure.”
Ashley took a quick breath. “But right now…” She paused and crouched down. “Right now, life is moving too fast.” She studied their faces. “And I don’t want to wake up one day with gray hair and only memories of a life I barely remember.”
Kari raised her hand. “Where is this coming from, Ash?”
Ashley held out the piece of paper. “This… is a pledge. A contract.”
“Oooh!” Luke ran up to it. “What for?”
Ashley held the page out and read it: “To the rest of the world: We, the Baxter Children, believe in Neverland. And so we promise here and now to never grow up! To never put jobs before each other. And to never forget to have fun. Signed…” She paused. “This… is a Never Grow Up Contract.” She felt good about this. “Now you four have to sign it.”
“A Never Grow Up Contract?” Brooke raised her eyebrows as she walked closer. “How does that work?”
“Like I said… we sign our names.” Ashley pointed at the paper. “I already did mine.”
No one said anything.
Ashley tried again. “Get it? We decide here and now that we will stay… just the way we are. That we will never grow up.” Her voice got louder and she raised one fist. “That we will be like this rock. Solid. Together. The five of us forever.” She lowered her hand. “What do you say?”
“Hmm.” Luke grabbed the pen. “Do you think I can sign this and still make it to the NBA?”
Ashley thought about that. “I’m not sure about the specifics.”
Luke shrugged
