Running from Reality

by Missy Robertson

  “What time is sunset?” Lola asked.

  Brittany checked her phone. “4:45,” she said. “Let’s go for a walk, get some ice cream, and then sit on our towels and wait for it.”

  That’s what we did. And it was worth the wait.

  “Don’t tell Papaw, but not taking pictures is causing me to pay attention to things better.” Lola sat on her towel with some colored pencils and her sketch pad in her lap.

  “Me too,” Kendall said. “And I keep forgetting to check my phone. Has anyone gotten a call from home?”

  We all shrugged. “I didn’t even bring my phone with me,” I said. “It’s not like I don’t want to call anyone. I’m just not thinking about it.”

  “Papaw says that when he was a kid he just played outside all day and nobody knew where he was till he came in for supper.”

  “That wouldn’t be so bad,” Ruby said.

  Kendall laid back on her towel. “Do you think anyone on this trip has recognized any of us?”

  I shook my head. “I’ve been keeping an eye out. No one has taken a secret picture, no whispering, no staring. It’s kinda weird. I wonder if anyone in California even watches our show.”

  “Well, if they don’t, they should,” Kendall said. “It’s funny, informational, and uplifting.”

  “Really?” I said. “And this is the same show you want to go on strike from?”

  Kendall was quiet for a minute. “Maybe it’s not so bad after all.”

  “Oh!” Lola said. “I wish I could have recorded what you said just now.”

  “Yeah, well, you’ll just have to keep it in your memory vault.”

  The sunset hit its most beautiful point—with reds and oranges and yellows all mashed together to look like a heavenly smoothie.

  “You guys, I feel like saying a prayer,” Brittany said. “Is that okay with you?”

  “Sure,” Ruby said.

  We all bowed our heads, and Brittany began:

  “Lord, I want to thank you for this beautiful day that I got to spend with these beautiful girls. Help them to always turn to you for everything in their lives, and help us all remember that we are your shining lights in the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  And just as we raised our heads, we watched the sun slip below the horizon. And in a funny way, I actually wished the film crew could have been there.

  We met Ryan and Hunter at In-N-Out for dinner after our separate adventures.

  “The poor dinosaurs. They got stuck in the tar, and it took them months to sink. There are tons of bones in those pits.” Hunter hung his head and looked like he was going to cry.

  “Isn’t that a paleontologist’s dream?” I asked. “To find a million bones all in one place?”

  Ryan gave me a tense look and shook his head, and then he drew a finger across his throat to signal me to change the subject.

  I put my hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Hey, guess what. We found out that the Pacific Ocean is freezing cold, and that beach volleyball players are really sand monsters.”

  Hunter smiled a little. “We had some good tacos.”

  I smiled too. “And we saw an awesome sunset.”

  “I kinda miss home,” Lola said. “I wonder what our parents are doing?”

  “Duh, people. Remember—it’s duck hunting season. How soon we forget.”

  Kendall laughed. “It doesn’t seem like such a big deal from way over here in California.”

  “Because there are no leaves and no rakes,” Hunter said.

  “That was the point of the vacation,” Ryan said. “To give you some perspective.”

  “When do we go to the Griffith Park Observatory?” I asked. “I hear you can get a great perspective on everything from there.”

  “Monday,” Ryan said. That will be the best day for seeing the moon at its finest.”

  “I can’t wait,” I said.

  CHAPTER 21

  Hollywoodlum?

  The moon was close to full as we drove back to the Gabi-girls’ house after leaving In-N-Out. As we approached the driveway and Brittany got out to open the old-fashioned double-door garage, we spotted a person running down the stairway leading up to the front door.

  “Who was that?” Ruby yelled, and she pointed to the back of a young man running up the street. He had what looked like a baseball bat resting on his shoulder.

  “Uh-oh,” Ryan said. “That doesn’t look good.”

  “Was it the Hollywoodlum?” Hunter asked, and he slid open the side door of the minivan and started to run in the direction of our intruder.

  “Hunter, come back here!’ Ryan yelled, and Hunter stopped and turned.

  “He might be dangerous,” Brittany said. Then she glanced up toward the front door. “Ryan, do you think anyone else is up there?”

  “I’ll go take a look. You kids stay put.”

  Hunter jumped back into the van and we all waited while Ryan climbed up the stairs. It was about five minutes before he returned.

  “Coast is clear. I checked most of the bottom floor. There’s evidence of someone trying to pry the door open and also a big dent in the door.”

  Lola gasped. “Do you think it was the Hollywoodlum?”

  “Could be,” Ryan said. “Maybe he thought the place was deserted. See, it’s a good thing we’re housesitting!”

  Brittany sat in the front seat of the van and crossed her arms. “I’m not so sure it’s a good thing now. We could be in trouble if he comes back.”

  Ryan brushed off her comment. “Nonsense. Did you see that skinny kid? Hunter could tape him to the wall with his duct tape. Plus, we scared him off. I’ll call the police and let them know what’s going on.”

  Ryan let us out of the van and pulled it into the garage. Then we all walked up the staircase to the front door, and saw the door damage for ourselves.

  “I’m glad he didn’t get in,” I said. “He could have destroyed the chandelier.”

  “Maybe we should turn on all the inside and outside lights, so he can tell that someone’s home,” Lola said.

  “That’s a great idea,” Brittany said.

  “But what if he does come back? Shouldn’t we have a plan?” Hunter paced from the beat up front door back to the top of the stairs leading up to the entryway. He looked up, side-to-side, and then over the fencing toward the street. “We could come up with a battle plan.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Ryan said. “I doubt that kid will be back. He might not even be the Hollywoodlum. Maybe he was just selling something.”

  “Like baseball bats?” Brittany asked. “When did you last encounter a door-to-door baseball bat salesman?”

  A few minutes later, a policeman came walking up the staircase to the front door.

  “Are you Ryan Carroway?” the policeman asked, and Ryan stepped forward.

  “That’s me,’ Ryan said, and he reached out to shake the policeman’s hand.

  “You look like a guy I’ve seen on TV in the bayou.” The officer smiled. “My family loves your show. It’s the only time we all get together during the week, with all our busy schedules. It’s nice to have something positive to watch together.”

  It felt good to hear that.

  “We’re glad you like it,” Ryan said. “Man, you got here fast.”

  “I was patrolling just a block away when you called in. Mind if I ask you a few questions for the police report?”

  The officer pulled out a notepad and pen from his back pocket.

  “Not at all,” Ryan said. “Let’s go out by the pool and talk. I’m gonna let these kids go up to their rooms and get ready for bed.”

  We took our cue and streamed up to our rooms on the top floors. Kendall and I arm wrestled to see who would get the first chance at the shower. Kendall won. That girl can be athletic when she wants to.

  I was happy because it gave me a chance to sneak a peek into Gabi’s diary while I waited. I pulled it out from under my pillow and flew over to the wingback chair and opened it. The next entry was d
isturbing.

  Last week, a reporter inquired as to what things I love the most in life. I told him Jesus, my mom, reading, tulips, hot fudge sundaes, and puppies. Today, the interview appeared in the Hollywood Sun. He left Jesus off the list!

  “That’s not right,” I said, out loud.

  “What’s not right?” Ruby poked her head in the door. I closed the diary and pushed it behind the throw pillow.

  “Just reacting to something in my book. Did Lola beat you to the shower?”

  Ruby skipped over to the other chair. “Always.”

  She looked around. “Every room in this house in magical.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I get such a warm, comfortable feeling here. I think it’s all the light.”

  I smiled. “Me, too. I wish I could take pictures to show my mom and dad.”

  “Maybe Ryan can get this place again and we can all come out for a vacation next time.”

  A knock came at the door, only it was open. Hunter had knocked on the doorpost.

  “Permission to enter?” Hunter stood there, wearing a new green La Brea Tar Pits T-shirt with his long basketball shorts. The shirt said “Save the Dinosaurs.”

  I grinned and pointed to the shirt. “Nice. It’s too late, you know.”

  “I know.” Hunter plopped down cross-legged on the floor next to our chairs. “But it’s not too late to save this house from the Hollywoodlum!”

  He had a sneaky little gleam in his eye, so I had a feeling we were in for a little project.

  And I wasn’t wrong.

  CHAPTER 22

  A Star in the West

  Our day to visit the Griffith Park Observatory finally arrived. I think I was more excited to go there than if we were going to Disneyland, since the place was connected somehow to Mystery Boy Nathan’s Bag of Wonders. We waited to go later in the afternoon, so we could hang around and see the moon and stars over the Los Angeles night sky. All day long, I experienced butterflies in my stomach and random goosebump outbreaks as I waited to finally pile in the van.

  Ryan pulled the minivan into the parking lot of the Observatory.

  “We have two choices. We could ride the shuttle, which takes forever to get here, or we can climb the hill.” Ryan pointed up toward some steep switchbacks, and I could just see the tip-top of one of the domes of the Observatory in the sky.

  “I have one word,” Kendall said. “Shuttle.”

  When we were in the middle of the hike up—all huffing and puffing, Kendall spoke again.

  “Did anyone hear me say, ‘shuttle’ earlier? Because I’m pretty sure I said ‘shuttle’.”

  Ryan got behind Kendall and began pushing her up the hill.

  “Just a few more steps, girl. It will be worth it.”

  About a thousand steps later, we saw it. The Griffith Park Observatory sat in the distance behind a grassy area with a fountain in the middle. Kids ran in circles, playing on the lawn, as adults rested on folding chairs eating snacks, and enjoying the afternoon California sunshine, which now that we weren’t at the beach, seemed a little too hot.

  “Hope it’s cooler inside,” I said.

  “Oh, it’s the coolest ever, dudes. Wait till you see the life-sized periodic table.”

  Ryan increased his stride.

  Brittany picked up the pace with a slow jog to keep up. “Your brother’s a science nerd, and he’s not even ashamed.”

  Hunter grinned. “I want to be a science nerd!” Then he picked up the pace too.

  We all reached the front entrance to the Observatory about the same time, except for Kendall. She strolled happily, humming to herself as she brought up the rear.

  “Okay, I don’t expect us all to stay together like a school field trip, but don’t leave the building, and stay with a buddy. Papaw added me as a contact on your burner phones, so call me if you can’t find us. There are some shows starting in a little while, so we can get tickets to those if you’re interested.”

  Ryan held out his arm and motioned for me to lead the way. “Prepare to be amazed.”

  We entered a circular room, with people everywhere and exhibits spreading out to the left and right. The cousins and Brittany chose different directions, and I stood there with Ryan, staring up at a large cable hanging from the ceiling.

  “Whoa? What is this?” I moved closer to a circular barrier that had been set up in the middle of the entrance. I stepped up on the concrete step and peered over at a circle of pegs that stood at the edge of the closed-in area.

  Ryan stepped up next to me.

  “This is a Foucault Pendulum. It demonstrates the earth’s rotation.”

  I stared down as the ball attached to the bottom of the cable swung back and forth, back and forth. Then it pushed over one of the pegs.

  Ryan jumped, which made me jump.

  “Did you see that? The earth is moving!”

  I laughed. “It looks like a fancy-pants bowling game.”

  Ryan hit his forehead with his fist. “But it’s so much more.”

  I walked around the circle, so I could examine the contraption from other angles.

  Ryan followed. “It’s a miracle, Allie. Think about it! When did you first learn that the earth rotates?”

  “I dunno. Maybe third grade?”

  “And how many times a day do you think about the fact that the earth is rotating?”

  I raised one eyebrow. “Like, none.”

  Ryan put his face near mine. “But it’s happening. And this pendulum shows it. As the earth moves, the pegs move. And eventually—bam—the pendulum knocks them over, one by one.”

  “Who’s the poor person who has to pick those pegs up?” I asked.

  “Who cares about that when supernatural things are happening around us all the time! And we’re so wrapped up in the little details that we never take the time to think about it.”

  I watched as people in the crowd stepped up to look over at the exhibit. I raised my eyes up and followed the cable of the pendulum all the way to where it was attached to the dome.

  “What do you mean by supernatural?” I asked.

  “It’s not something a human can invent or control. It’s designed by the God of the Universe.” Ryan was quiet for a minute. Then he put his hand on my shoulder. “And that causes me to think, if God is doing this super huge thing—making the earth turn—and I don’t even realize it, then what other little miracles is he working in my life right now, that I’m also missing? I’m telling you, Allie, He’s at work. We just gotta take the time to notice.”

  As Ryan wrapped up, another peg fell.

  Hunter called from the left hallway. “Ryan! Come check out this moon exhibit!”

  Ryan looked over at me. “You wanna come, squirt? And consider some more miracles? See why I love science so much?”

  I shook my head. “Nah. I think I want to ponder this one right now.”

  “Okay, that’s cool. I’ll be with Hunter just down that hall. Don’t forget the life-sized periodic table.” Ryan spread his arms out from side to side. “Call me when you get to it. I don’t want you to see it without me.”

  I nodded. “You’re scaring me a little with that enthusiasm.”

  Ryan shoved me a little on the step. “It’s what big brothers are for.”

  He jumped off the step and headed toward waxing and waning moons or something like that. I stood frozen in place next to the pendulum. It was one of those moments when you know God is trying to talk to you, and you try real hard to listen, so the crowd noise drowns out around you and you feel like you’re in some kind of dream.

  The earth is turning. And you don’t even notice.

  “Allie?” a small hand tugged on my T-shirt, jolting me out of my daydream.

  I looked down, and there was Angela—the girl from the Doowylloh sign.

  I smiled. “Hey, hiking buddy! How’s the knee?”

  Angela reached down and rubbed it. She still had the Ariel Band-Aid attached. “It’s getting better. Can you help me?”

/>   I looked around to see if I could spot Angela’s dad, but I didn’t know if I would recognize him after seeing him just once on the trail and in sunglasses.

  “Sure, I can,” I said. “I helped with the bloody knee, didn’t I? Whatcha got for me today?”

  “I can’t find my daddy. I had lots of energy, so we hiked up here to see the planets, and now I’m a little lost.”

  “Hmmm. When did you last see him?”

  She shrugged and shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe an hour.”

  I stared down at her cute face with the dirt smudges on her chin and thought about how frantic my parents would be if I was lost.

  Angela pointed to the front doors of the Observatory. “I should go back to the car. I know my momma’s there.”

  “Is your car in the Observatory parking lot?”

  Angela shook her head again. “It’s down the hiking trail. Not very far though. Can you take me? Please?”

  I nodded. “O . . . kay.”

  I thought a minute, about whether I should call Ryan, Brittany, a security guard . . .

  “You’re the person I need,” Angela said.

  And I have everything I need.

  “Let’s go.” I grabbed Angela’s hand to help her off the step.

  “Wait, I gotta bring this suitcase.” With her other hand, Angela reached for the handle on a rolling, carry-on size pink and purple suitcase. Goosebumps raised on my arms when I noticed it had a sequined-silver star in the middle of it.

  CHAPTER 23

  Map Magic

  My momma’s not feeling very good,” Angela said, as we exited the tall, double doors at the entrance to the Observatory. “We need to get to my grandma’s so she can have my brother.”

  “Where’s that?” I asked.

  “Lompoc. It’s a funny name for a town. We gotta go up a freeway and it’s a little past Santa Barbara. We’re moving in. She’s sick, so we’re gonna help her.”

  “Oh.”

  “We used to live in Santa Ana, but my daddy lost his job and now we gotta leave that house.”

  “Oh.”

  “Our tire is shredded, and we don’t have any more money to fix it. Well, except the gas money, but we gotta save that.”