Never Grow Up

by Karen Kingsbury

“Hook, for you, Mr. Blake.” Their teacher gave Landon a fake hook, a bushy black wig and a pointy pirate hat.

  Landon slipped on the hook. “Sweet!” He swiped it toward Chris. “Arrrgh! Ahoy, mateys!”

  Ashley studied her friend. Landon was an intimidating Hook. But Chris would have been better, since he had the personality of a pirate.

  “What do I get to be?” Chris took a packet from their teacher.

  Mr. Garrett handed Chris a teddy bear. “You are Michael Darling.”

  Chris frowned. “The baby?” He crossed his arms. “I don’t wanna be the baby.”

  Perfect, Ashley thought. She covered her smile with her hand. From the back of the class she heard laughter from a few kids.

  “He’s not a baby. He’s just… little.” Mr. Garrett gave Chris a thumbs-up. “You’ll be great.”

  Chris took hold of the teddy bear. He looked like he might drop it on the floor. “I wanted to be a pirate.”

  Mr. Garrett kept walking. “Amy. You will be Tiger Lily, the native warrior princess of Neverland. She is also our narrator.” Their teacher handed Amy a flower crown.

  Amy placed the crown on her head. “I always wanted to be a warrior princess!”

  “Miss Baxter.” Mr. Garrett handed Ashley her packet.

  Ashley gasped. She couldn’t believe what she saw. ASHLEY BAXTER—WENDY. Her prop was a necklace with an acorn on it. Like the one Peter Pan gave Wendy in the story. Peter called it a kiss. It was her kiss necklace. She looked up. “Are you sure?”

  “I am.” Her teacher smiled. “You’ll be the perfect Wendy.”

  “Thank you.” Ashley stood, arms wide. “You’re right. I already am the best Wendy, Mr. Garrett. I won’t even have to act for this part.”

  Mr. Garrett laughed. “I’m glad you’re happy.” He raised his eyebrows. “You can sit back down now, Ashley.”

  “Yes, sir.” Ashley stared at the acorn necklace. She was more than happy. Mr. Garrett could have given the part to someone who wore dresses all the time, like Natalie. Or someone with perfect hair, like Amy. Instead he saw what Ashley had seen a long time ago.

  She and Wendy were practically twins.

  “Elliot.” Mr. Garrett gave Ashley’s friend his part along with a green hat and red feather. “No debate about it. You are Peter Pan.”

  Elliot stood and saluted. “It is an honor to play the boy who never grows up as I, myself, have aspirations of doing the same. I won’t let you down!” He crowed a few times, a wild rooster crow, like Peter had done in the book. The class gave Elliot a round of applause.

  “Natalie.” Mr. Garrett gave out her role last. “I chose you as Tinker Bell.” He handed her the packet and a bag of glitter. He held one hand up alongside his mouth like he had a secret. “Don’t worry, she doesn’t have any lines.”

  “Congrats!” Ashley gave her friend a high five.

  Natalie sighed. “I hope I’m not on stage much. I am so happy I don’t have any lines.” She thumbed through the packet a bit.

  “Also, you’ll probably get a pretty costume, and wings!” Ashley was trying to highlight the good since Natalie truly was stage shy. “Plus. You’ll be with Elliot or me the whole time basically. So this is the best of both words.”

  “Worlds.” Natalie still looked nervous.

  “Worlds?” Ashley blinked.

  “Yes.” Natalie giggled a little. “It’s supposed to be the best of both worlds. Not words.”

  “Hmm.” Ashley shrugged. “Seems like if it’s the best of Elliot or me it’s the best of both words.” She thought about that. “Elliot. Me. Two words. But whatever you say.”

  Mr. Garrett was back at the front of the room. “We will start on our class play tomorrow. Our show will include some lines, and narrating, and then two songs from the Disney film. I will bring the music in tomorrow. I passed out the props so you would know what belonged to you. But for now, let’s put them in the box and go back to our desks for a little bit of math!”

  When Ashley got to the box, she held on to the kiss necklace for a few seconds before putting it back. She wanted to savor the feeling of it in her hand. “Thank you, Mr. Garrett. Come on, Tink, let’s fly to our desks!” She tapped Natalie and the two of them fluttered off back to their chairs.

  Math could definitely use some pixie dust.

  As Mr. Garrett and the class moved on to fractions, Ashley had a thought that she hadn’t had before. Maybe she didn’t need a class pet fairy after all. Because she had the best version of a fairy anyone could ask for in her new best friend, Natalie. The real-life Tinker Bell. Who, by the way, had real-life pixie dust.

  And that was better than any class pet fairy she could ever find.

  9 Talent Show Tryouts

  KARI

  After days of dancing under the sea in the living room, Kari believed they were finally ready for tomorrow’s audition. It wasn’t a real audition, Mom had read off the handout they took home. Because no one would be cut from the show for lack of talent. But if the “talent” wasn’t ready or the act wasn’t safe or appropriate for school, then the teachers in charge could use their adult powers to decline the act.

  So, today, Kari was determined to make sure she and her friends weren’t booted from the program. Which was why she danced her way through the afternoon to Mom’s cassette as she waited for Mandy and Liza to arrive for their last practice.

  They needed every move to be perfect.

  “Kari.” Brooke sat on the couch. She was doing homework again. “You don’t have to worry. You’re a great dancer. They’re not going to cut you.”

  Kari spun around and kicked her leg in time with the music. “How do you know that, Brooke?” She lifted her arms to the sides and did a half turn to the beat. “What if we’re not ready?”

  “You are.” Brooke set her pencil down.

  Erin lay on the floor, chin on her hands, watching. “I think you’re perfect. A superstar!”

  Brooke agreed with Erin. “You’re well rehearsed. You have no live animals. And you’re not doing anything that crosses lines.”

  Ashley walked into the room. “Crossing lines?” She plopped onto the sofa. “Is that like jumping fences?”

  “Exactly.” Brooke smiled. “You aren’t jumping fences, either.”

  For a few seconds Ashley took in Kari’s dance moves. “I say you’re an ideal act for a talent show.”

  “I say so, too.” Erin sat up, cross-legged. “Dance it again. I’m trying to learn it.”

  Kari paused the music and put her hands over her head to catch her breath. “I hope you’re right.” She paced a bit. “I can’t forget the steps tomorrow. I just can’t.”

  Brooke closed her textbook and stood. “Here’s what you do.” She sucked in her cheeks, clasped her hands together and shot them straight in front of her. Then she pretended to swim herself from one side of the living room to the other.

  Kari laughed. “You want me to be a fish?”

  “Why not?” Brooke stopped swimming. “Your song is ‘Under the Sea,’ right? If you forget your moves, just swim around onstage.”

  “Yeah.” Ashley nodded. “People will think that’s part of the show!”

  Erin chuckled as well and rolled around the floor. “You could do this, like a sea urchin!”

  Pretty soon they were all laughing. Then all of a sudden Brooke gasped. “You need a costume!”

  Kari sat on the arm of the sofa. “Liza’s mom is making us green sequined tops.”

  “I know!” Ashley jumped a few times. “Mermaid tails! That’s the perfect costume for ‘Under the Sea’!”

  Brooke put her hands on her hips. “Ashley. Can you imagine dancing in a mermaid tail?”

  “No one would know if they made a mistake.” Ashley grinned. Then she started to laugh. “I guess that wouldn’t work too good.”

  “Too well.” Brooke sat back down and opened her book. “Grammar is important in middle school.”

  “Yes, well.” Ashley dropped to the floor n
ext to Erin. “I’m going to pass on middle school. Like Peter Pan.”

  “I like that.” Kari loved her sisters. Never a dull moment. “Middle school does seem like a lot of learning.”

  Brooke blew at a wisp of her hair. “You have no idea.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen.” Luke came running down the stairs and into the living room.

  Kari laughed. “Just ladies in here, Luke.”

  “Fine.” He held his arms out to his sides. “Ladies and ladies… I present to you… Your dancing queens!” He flicked the lights off and pulled a flashlight from behind his back, which he aimed at Kari. “Doing their original performance of ‘Under the Sea’!”

  “Luke, what are you doing?”

  “Your group needs a name and an announcer.” He turned the lights on again and set the flashlight down. “I’d like to join your act!”

  “Dancing Queens?” Kari nodded. “I like it. Dancing Queens under the sea!”

  “Sounds famous.” Ashley looked at Luke. “When did you get so smart?”

  “Mom said I was born that way.” Luke smiled big. “Actually, I have basketball practice that night, so I can’t do the show with you. But I really think you should be the Dancing Queens.”

  With that, he ran off to the kitchen.

  Liza and Mandy arrived then, and by dinnertime Kari was sure they had two things: a dance routine and a group name. But the Dancing Queens needed one more thing to pull off their audition.

  Courage.

  * * *

  The next day after school Kari sat with Liza and Mandy in the auditorium watching the auditions. With every act that took the stage, Kari felt a little more nervous. Maybe they shouldn’t have signed up. They could’ve supported the other kids and just enjoyed the show. What if she tripped walking up there? What if she forgot the moves and fainted? What if—

  Terrible possibilities did a different kind of dance in Kari’s brain.

  Kari turned and saw Mom at the back of the auditorium. She waved and mouthed, You can do this! Kari’s nerves calmed down some. Having Mom here was a big help.

  Miss Patty, the school’s music teacher, was in charge of the auditions. She held a clipboard in her hand and took lots of notes. Sometimes she sat, and other times she stood, or walked back and forth. A large pair of eyeglasses were perched on her head and she fidgeted with the string of beads that hung around her neck.

  A boy named Mac was performing now. His act was called “Mac the Magician.” So far it wasn’t going so well. His face was red and he was trying another trick. “And out of thin air…” Mac tried to pull what looked like red flowers out of his sleeve. Only the flowers got caught and he yanked them too hard. Then with a loud ZZIPPP, his entire sleeve fell to the stage.

  Mac stared at his sleeve. Then he gave Miss Patty a nervous smile. “No sleeve! And for my next trick…” He picked up a wand and a glass of water from his small table. He balanced the glass on the tip of his wand and held it straight in front of him.

  The audience of people waiting to audition burst into applause. Which must’ve startled Mac, because at about the same time the water spilled toward him and soaked his T-shirt. He did a short laugh. He was still smiling.

  Good for you, Kari wanted to tell him. Don’t give up, Mac!

  Now he was trying to juggle oranges. Instead he sort of threw three oranges in the air and watched them crash to the floor. So instead of putting on an exciting magic show, Mac was drenched, with a missing sleeve, chasing oranges around the stage.

  Kari thought that maybe he should’ve been a comedian.

  Mac removed his top hat and took a bow. His routine was over.

  “Well…” Miss Patty nodded a few times. “Maybe rethink some of these tricks, Mac. I would suggest no water glass. But good try.” She sighed and gave him a thumbs-up. “Next please.”

  Mac collected his things and hurried offstage. Kari watched his friends high-five him and pat his back. Like he was the greatest magician of all time.

  Relax, Kari told herself. Miss Patty is clearly an understanding judge.

  Next came a perky girl named Darlene. She wore a bright red curly wig, a white dress and tap shoes. “Hello. I’m Darlene. I will perform a piece from the Broadway musical Annie.” She clicked her toes on the floor and did a little shuffle step. “The sun will come out, tomorrow… bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun!”

  Darlene’s dance moves were impressive. Plus Kari liked the song. Although Darlene’s voice didn’t quite match the notes, Miss Patty seemed impressed. Darlene hit the last note and struck a pose, hands raised, nose in the air.

  She was already a star!

  “Great, Darlene.” Miss Patty clapped and then jotted something on her clipboard. “Thank you.”

  The next act was the one right before Kari and the girls. A boy walked onstage with no props. No special shoes. No costume pieces. Just himself. He spoke with a monotone voice. Almost like he was half asleep. “Hi. I’m Tyson. And I am going to do some of my sounds.” He cleared his throat.

  The room was quiet. A high-pitched noise blasted through the speakers for a second, which caused everyone to cover their ears. Another teacher ran over to the soundboard and messed with some of the knobs. It was silent again.

  Someone in the back coughed.

  “Okay. Here we go.” Tyson cleared his throat again. “Ooooowaout!” He scooped his voice from low to high. “Heeeeshaw!” Somehow, his voice got higher. “Bleech! Blaach!” This time it sounded like he was coughing.

  Kari squinted her eyes. She wasn’t convinced that this was a talent. She exchanged looks with Liza and Mandy. They all tried their best not to laugh. Mandy had to cover her mouth. It wasn’t that they were laughing at Tyson. But the sounds were so silly.

  Which maybe was a talent.

  He finished with a final “Wompawindah!” A loud shout that echoed through the whole theater. Then, he stepped forward, bowed and left the stage.

  Kari wasn’t sure if Tyson’s sound act would make the show. But Tyson had done his best and given everyone a few minutes of laughter. So there was that.

  Miss Patty slumped into a chair at the front of the stage. Her smile looked tired. “Thank you… Tyson. For your… creativity.” She looked at her clipboard. “Last, but not least, we have the three Dancing Queens. Kari, Liza and Mandy.”

  Kari took a deep breath. Help me remember the moves, God. She handed one of the parent volunteers the tape with “Under the Sea”.

  Mandy linked arms with Kari. “I’m nervous.”

  “It’s just the audition.” Liza didn’t look scared at all. “We have time.”

  As they reached the top of the stairs, Kari turned to the girls and grabbed their hands. “Let’s have fun!” They got in their positions. Kari gave the parent volunteer a head nod and the music began.

  The song started and ended in a blur of dance moves. Despite a few slipups, Kari thought they’d done a fantastic job. Miss Patty stood and clapped. “Bravo! You Dancing Queen girls are great. Keep practicing.”

  Liza and Mandy and Kari hugged each other and hurried down the stairs and off the stage.

  “Great job, everyone. See you at swimming later.” Mandy waved as she headed off to where her dad waited for her.

  Liza left with both her parents and Kari ran to her mother. “We did it!”

  Her mom hugged her. “You really are a dancing queen!”

  “Thanks for being here.” Kari slipped her backpack on. “You’re the best.”

  Mom ran her hand over Kari’s head. “Of course! I wouldn’t miss it. Your dad would be here, but he’s helping Luke and Erin with homework.”

  “I know.” Kari smiled. “Plus, they’ll all be at the talent show.”

  “They will.” Mom spun around. “Kari… you know you got your moves from me, right?” Mom twirled again. “Under the sea… under the sea…” She kept singing the song, which made Kari laugh. By the time they reached the parking lot, they were both singing and danc
ing.

  Kari was thankful for a lot of things. But especially her mom. Someone who was there for her no matter what. Whether she and the girls would’ve ripped their sleeves or tripped over themselves and landed on the floor, her mother would be here. Always.

  Because that’s what moms do.

  10 Lost in the Corn Maze

  ASHLEY

  Late October was Ashley’s happiest time because it meant three things: Mom baked more. The trees were dressed in their best yellows, reds and oranges. And this year Ashley’s class was taking a field trip to the pumpkin patch.

  It was Sunday afternoon and Mom was baking again. In the last week she’d made pies and muffins, scones and cookies. Every day the house smelled like brown sugar and warm cinnamon. This afternoon it was apple oat bars. The mixture of sweet spiced apples with the crunchy oat topping was Ashley’s most loved snack.

  Ashley sat on the back porch and stared at the tree a few steps away. She had her sketchbook and pencils. The sun was going down so the light was perfect. Golden hour, her dad called it. Also Ashley loved autumn leaves. The sort of living masterpiece only God could paint.

  With little strokes, she began to bring the colors to life. Most of the leaves were on the ground now. Soon they’d all be there, which made Ashley a little sad.

  She wished autumn could last forever.

  A leaf wiggled on the closest branch. “Don’t fall!” Ashley whispered. “Hang on, little leaf.” A gust of wind blew across the yard and the leaf left the tree and swirled toward the grass.

  Ashley dropped her art supplies and chased the leaf as it floated on the wind. Just when she thought she would never catch it, the wind stopped and the leaf landed in her hand. “Wow!” She studied the colors and the lines. “You’re the most beautiful leaf in the whole world.”

  She placed it in her sweater pocket, careful to not ruin it.

  Sitting back down with her drawing, Ashley took a quick look at her picture and smiled. It was one of her favorites. The pretty tree, leaves dancing to the ground. Also a little bench near the trunk where she drew herself with her sketchbook.