Kari started to write again, but the project made her feel like she was going against the promise to never grow up. She closed her notebook. There was still time. For now, her homework could wait.
Kari hopped off her bed, and joined her family outside at their basketball hoop. The game hadn’t started yet. For the next hour they all took turns doing trick shots and goofy free throws. They ate chicken and squash, and before Kari knew it, they were all seated on a blanket in the backyard, eating Mom’s fresh-baked pumpkin cookies and drinking hot chocolate.
This was the moment Kari had been waiting for! The meteor shower was about to begin.
“I can’t believe it’s finally here…” Kari stared at the sky. It was still too early. But she didn’t want to miss any of it. She took another cookie. “I’m so excited.”
“Why are you so excited?” Luke sat beside her.
“Because, I’ve never seen a meteor shower.” Kari took a sip of her hot chocolate. “I think it sounds spectacular.”
“I’ve always wanted to see one, too.” Mom sat next to Dad, both of them in lawn chairs.
Brooke took a cookie from the tray. “Carly said she and her family are watching it, too.”
“Yeah.” Luke waved his hands in the air. “I bet the whole world is watching.”
Erin was lying on her stomach, reading. “The whole world can’t watch. It’s about to be daytime somewhere else.”
“Okay.” Luke laughed. “The whole city then.”
Ashley had been quiet for the past few minutes. She pointed to the darkening sky. “I just wonder if we’ll see the second star to the right.” She rested her head on Kari’s shoulder, and hugged her knees. “I’m glad we’re doing this. Just in case.”
Kari leaned her head against her sister’s. “Me, too.”
The sun had now completely set and the first few twinkles of stars were coming out.
Dad went back to the house and returned with more blankets. “Here… it’s getting cold.”
Kari and Ashley shared one.
“Seven fifty-five!” Mom almost sang out the announcement. “Any minute now.”
Kari didn’t look down. She didn’t want to miss any of this.
Suddenly streaks of light began zipping across the dark sky. One. Then two. Then another few. With each one, Kari’s mouth dropped a little more. A bright one fell vertically toward the ground, and it gave her goose bumps. Twinkling lights indicated that some were further away. A few of the meteors had long tails, while others didn’t have tails at all.
The meteor shower was the most beautiful light show Kari had ever seen.
No one said anything.
The tails coming off the meteors were a wide range of unexplainable colors. Kari felt overwhelmed with awe and gratitude. All this waiting… and tonight one of her dreams was coming true.
Ashley studied the sky. “I sort of feel like a meteor.”
“You?” Kari kept her eyes on the sky. “Why?”
“It’s all of us.” Ashley sighed. “Shooting across the sky… going through life so fast…”
“I like that, Ash.” Brooke’s words were barely loud enough to be heard. “Enjoy the beautiful now… while we can.”
Kari’s eyes were still on the sky. Maybe Alex had a view of the amazing show from his hospital room.
A few more meteors whizzed overhead, making their way through outer space. The same way that Kari was finding her way through life. She hadn’t thought about it until Ashley brought it up.
Kari hoped wherever she went, she left a beautiful streak of light, too.
The meteors were fading away, meaning the show was almost over. For a few more moments, everyone stayed still and quiet.
Luke was resting his head on his basketball. Erin’s book was closed. Brooke blinked a few times, studying the stars and petting Bo, who rested near her. Ashley played with some grass and Kari looked back at her parents. Even though they were sitting in separate lawn chairs, they were cuddled together under one blanket. It was a perfect ending to a very special day.
Kari stared at the sky. She never wanted to forget this moment. The final meteors reminded her of her family. Burning bright till the very end. And because of faith and love, doing what the Baxter family did best. The same thing the meteors had done.
Being very bright lights in the darkness.
22
Us Five
ASHLEY
Ashley was still watching the sky. She picked at the grass that overlapped onto the blanket she shared with Kari. The meteor shower had been spectacular. Which was a spelling word for next week in Mr. Garrett’s class.
Spectacular.
Yes, that described everything about this weekend. She was deep in thought. So much had happened over the past few weeks. She was glad for a night to just rest and reflex. Or maybe it was reflect.
Either way, that’s where she was. In her head, thinking about Neverland and Landon’s compliment. Sunset Hills Adult Care Home and Luke’s game… and all the adventures ahead.
She looked at her sisters and brother, glad they had all made a decision to stay young. They sat there, under the starry sky, in total silence.
The quiet of the night was rare. Especially for her family.
But tonight, there was no game, no talent show, no practice or homework assignment. No church event or party to attend. Tonight was just real life stopping for a meteor shower. Just the gift of sharing something special with the people she loved.
“You know,” Ashley whispered. “This family is pretty spectacular.”
It was true. The way Mom and Dad kept everything running and were there to celebrate every moment—even this one. The way Brooke had joined them at the rock yesterday even when she had homework. How Kari brought music and laughter to the family, and Erin added a layer of quiet and depth. And how Luke made every day a little more fun.
Even Bo did a great job being everyone’s friend. Despite his thievery.
Yes, her family was definitely spectacular.
Just in case there was enough light from the moon, Ashley had brought her sketchpad.
Pictures, stories, and movies of meteor showers never
