Never Grow Up

by Karen Kingsbury

  Ashley bent over her knees and did a loud sigh. “Whew!” She wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. “Thank you for clearing that up. I can breathe a little better now.”

  “Three miles is still a lot.” Erin looked to the starting line. “But we can do it!”

  “Okay.” Dad waved everyone close. “Baxter family huddle!” He looked at each of their faces. “Remember, it’s not about winning.” He winked at Luke. “This is for Alex. So pray for him… think about him as you run or walk. Let’s try to stay together.”

  “Because together is more fun!” Kari smiled at her family.

  “Exactly.” Mom grinned.

  “Hands in!” Dad put his hand out and everyone stacked their hands on top of his. “One… Two… Three.”

  “Team!” The whole family shouted the word at the same time.

  Moments later, a buzzer sounded and the race began.

  Kari and her family stayed mostly at a slow jogging pace. Halfway through the run, they stopped at a water table. Volunteers even had water bowls for dogs, so Bo got a drink, too.

  “Okay… let’s walk a bit till we catch our breath.” Dad looked at Mom and the kids. “Then we can run again at the end.”

  Walking will be good, Kari thought. Her feet hurt and she was sweaty. But she didn’t complain. At least she wasn’t like Alex, in the hospital fighting a sickness.

  When the finish line was a block ahead, Luke and Dad and Bo began to run. Fast. Brooke and Erin kept at a walking pace, and Kari and Ashley and Mom jogged.

  Ashley clapped her hands. “We can do this!” An older couple ran past them, and Ashley called out. “Keep up the good work!”

  They smiled back at Ashley and waved.

  One by one, the Baxters crossed the finish line. They each got another cup of water and then they headed back to the van. On the way, Mom bought a bag of apples from one of the vendors.

  Halfway home, with Bo asleep on the seat beside her, Kari stared out the window. She couldn’t stop thinking about Alex in the hospital. “Mom?” Kari turned to her mother. “Why do some people get sick?”

  “Well…” Mom thought for a long time. Like she was trying to make sense of that question herself. “Sometimes sad things happen. It’s not heaven… so people get sick or hurt.”

  Brooke and Ashley and Erin and Luke were listening, too. Like maybe all of them also wondered why Alex was sick.

  Dad looked in the rearview mirror at all of them. “I think God is just as sad as we are when bad things happen.”

  Kari liked the idea of that. She pictured God standing with people in their sadness and sick times. She looked at Mom again. “Because He loves us, right?”

  “He does.” Mom took their dad’s hand. “So very much.”

  Kari gazed out the window again. The sky had turned gray, and rain clouds were moving closer. That meant somewhere, God was sad today, too. Sad for kids like Alex and all the broken arms and broken hearts. In that moment, Kari felt like she understood more of who God was.

  And that made her smile.

  They dropped Bo off at home and drove to the hospital. Alex’s dad met them in the lobby. “Alex needs to rest soon. But he doesn’t have brothers and sisters. So he’d love to meet you all.”

  The man led the way up the elevator and down a hall to Alex’s room. It was full of balloons and get-well-soon cards.

  Alex sat up and smiled. Three thin tubes were attached to his arms, and his bed was surrounded by beeping machines. His head looked bald but it was hard to tell because he wore a baseball cap.

  “Hi, Dr. Baxter!” Alex didn’t sound sick. His eyes lit up as he looked at Kari’s dad. “You brought your family!” He waved at Luke. “Hey… I remember you!”

  “I’m Luke.” He took a step closer. “We played kickball together.”

  “Before I got sick.” Alex grinned even bigger. “Don’t worry. I’m getting better. I’ll be on your team when I get back to school.”

  “Okay.” Luke took hold of the railing that ran along Alex’s bed. “I’ll save you a spot.”

  “Wow, Luke.” Alex looked at Kari and her sisters. “You’re the only boy!”

  “It’s not that bad.” Luke smiled back at the girls. “Sisters are a lot of fun, actually.”

  Luke showed Alex his basketball cards, and the boys spread them across Alex’s hospital blanket.

  “Alex.” Ashley stepped up. “You should know I’m the original Wendy. From Peter Pan.”

  Alex looked surprised. “Really?”

  Dad gave Ashley a look. “Well, not—”

  “Father.” Ashley’s eyes grew shocked. “You cannot deny the fact. Mr. Garrett named me Wendy. And I’m very original.” She turned to Alex again. “So I’m the original Wendy.”

  “That’s cool.” Alex laughed. “I always wanted to meet Wendy.”

  “And now you have.” Ashley bowed. “Alex, why was the broom late?”

  “Why?” Alex hesitated. Like he wasn’t sure where this was going. Ashley had that effect on people.

  “Because…” Ashley held out both arms. “The broom overswept!” She glanced around. “Get it, people? It overswept! Instead of overslept.”

  Everyone laughed. They were all relaxed, like they could have been at home in the living room.

  “Okay! That’s enough.” Dad raised his eyebrows at Ashley. “Alex needs his rest.”

  “But, Dad, I didn’t get to the—”

  “That’s all, Ashley.” He chuckled and put his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “How are you feeling, Alex?”

  “Better now.” He grinned at their dad and then Mom and the rest of the family. “Thanks for coming here.”

  “We’ll be back!” Ashley gave Alex a high five.

  Brooke and Erin told Alex they’d be praying for him. If Kari was going to say something to Alex, this was her moment. She moved in by his bed, right next to Luke. “Hey, Alex, did you know there’s a meteor shower coming to Bloomington in two weeks? It’s like a shower of shooting stars.”

  “My dad and I talked about meteor showers last year!” Alex sat a little taller in his bed. “I’ve always wanted to see one.”

  “Me, too.” Kari liked Alex. He reminded her of Luke. “I learned about it in class. We’re gonna watch it at our house. You should come.” By then, Alex would probably feel better. He could come to the house and play basketball with Luke and help Mom bake. And then he could hang out with the family and watch the sky show. Since he didn’t have brothers and sisters.

  Kari thought it was the perfect plan.

  “I’ll ask my parents!” Alex blinked a few times. “It sounds fun!” He yawned and leaned back in his bed.

  Dad patted Alex’s foot. “We’ll let you sleep, buddy. See you soon.”

  They all said their goodbyes and on the way back to the lobby, Alex’s dad thanked them. “That was so good for him.” He looked at Mom and Dad. “Keep praying.”

  “We won’t stop.” Dad shook the man’s hand.

  Later that night, as Mom and Dad made dinner, Kari sat on the couch with her journal. She had some thoughts about today, thoughts she didn’t want to forget.

  Today we had fun at the 5K. We raised money for Alex and his family. Then we visited him in the hospital. I don’t even know him, but he’s a lot like Luke. And, God… I know you’re sad that Alex is sick. So if You could please make him better in time for the meteor shower. That would be the best. Dinner’s almost ready. Gotta go! Love, Kari.

  P.S. 14 Days until the Meteor Shower!

  Kari closed her journal and looked at Ashley, sitting beside her sketching. “What are you drawing?”

  “Alex at the finish line.” She smiled at Kari. “Instead of in the hospital.”

  “Oh.” Kari nodded. “That’s nice.” She looked at Ashley and a hundred memories came rushing in. Days on Lake Monroe and times at the rock at the back of their yard. Everyone in her family was here and not at the hospital.

  And that made Kari so thankful.

/>   Ashley stopped drawing and turned to Kari. “Why are you staring at me?”

  “I don’t know.” Kari smiled and shrugged. “I’m just thankful.” And she was. She loved her life. She loved her family. And she loved her home. She loved that everyone was happy and healthy and she never wanted that to change.

  Not in a million years.

  12 The Rowdy Rehearsal

  ASHLEY

  Ashley juggled her book in one hand and a flashlight in the other. She wasn’t totally sure what time it was. Kari was asleep across the room and the rest of the house was quiet. Ashley had no choice but to keep reading.

  Mr. Garrett said they had to finish reading Peter Pan by tomorrow. Ashley had two chapters left. She’d meant to finish it yesterday morning. But they had the 5K—which thankfully was not a five-day race.

  Ashley turned the page. Peter Pan was her favorite book of all time. She peered at the window. Maybe this was the day Peter Pan would show up. Because Ashley was Wendy. So one day he would come here and together they would fly by the second star to the right and off to Neverland. Brooke and Ashley, Erin and Luke would have to come, too, of course.

  Then they could swim with the mermaids and teach the Lost Boys how to bake. And together they would fight the pirates and—

  She remembered the book. Focus, Ashley! Keep reading!

  This part of the story was where Wendy and her brothers were headed back home to the nursery on Hook’s boat, captained by Peter Pan himself. But instead of sailing on the high seas, they were flying on the clouds, back to London.

  Ashley kept reading. When the children arrived home, Wendy’s parents were asleep. They had been so worried for their kids that their father, George, had been sleeping in the doghouse.

  Imagine that, Ashley thought. Dad sleeping in Bo’s doghouse. The picture made her giggle. Suddenly a drawing filled her mind. She shut the pages of Peter Pan and reached for her sketchbook.

  Before she forgot.

  She drew Dad sleeping on the floor next to Bo—since Bo didn’t have a doghouse. And just outside the window, Ashley drew herself. Because being Wendy would be fun, but the end of the story was best of all.

  Being home at last.

  At school the next day, Mr. Garrett’s class was deep in rehearsal again, and Ashley was about to walk the plank. Which was the scariest part of being Wendy. She held her breath and waited.

  The desks in Mr. Garrett’s class were pushed to the back of the room, and everyone was running through the play one last time before the talent show.

  “I’ll get you, Pan!” Landon swiped his hook in the air and Elliot ducked. The hooky hand barely missed him.

  “Not today, Hook!” Elliot pointed to the sky.

  Landon took a deep breath. “We’ll see about that!” He looked mean. Not like the usual Landon Blake at all. “I’m going to tie up Wendy!”

  He came to Ashley with a short piece of rope. They didn’t have an actual pole like a real pirate ship. But Ashley could see the pole anyway. Landon took her hands behind her back and tied them together.

  “Not too tight.” Mr. Garrett sat on the edge of his desk watching.

  “Okay.” Landon gave Ashley a quick grin. “Don’t be scared,” he whispered. Then very loud he said, “She’s my prisoner!”

  Ashley almost missed her next line. She remembered to pretend. “Never!” Fear filled her voice. “Peter, help me!”

  Chris stood next to Ashley. He held his teddy bear and he sounded bored. “Oh no, Wendy. Are we going to have to walk the plank?”

  “Hold.” Mr. Garrett stepped forward. “Chris. You’re supposed to be frightened. The script says he is crying. You’re the baby.”

  “I am not!” Chris shouted back, defensive.

  “Not really a baby. But you’re playing one. It’s make-believe.” Mr. Garrett clasped his hands. “Please… try.”

  Chris huffed and pulled his bear closer to his face. “Are we going to die?” He sounded better than before. A few of their classmates giggled.

  “Very good, Chris.” Ashley nodded at him. “You sound just like a baby.”

  “Thanks.” Chris scowled.

  Mr. Garrett covered his face with his hands. “Let’s continue.”

  Landon as Hook walked toward the kids tied to the imaginary pole. “Now… you will walk the plank.” He waved his hook so fast it came off and flew across the room. A group of nearby pirates had to duck so they wouldn’t get hit.

  Hook was defenseless! Also his pirates were shaken up. Suddenly Ashley had an idea. She shook her hands free of the rope and quick did the same for her pretend siblings. “Come on, boys!” she yelled. Then she ran to the front of the imaginary ship. “Grab your weapons. This is our ship now!”

  No one moved. Everyone just stared at her.

  “Ashley…” Natalie was fluttering around as Tinker Bell. She gave Ashley an anxious look. “What are you doing?”

  “What I should have done a long time ago.” Ashley walked over to the ship wheel prop and spun it a few times. She liked being captain.

  Mr. Garrett waved the script in the air. “Ashley. You need to stay on book.” Shock was all over his face. “Please… follow the script.”

  Only Ashley couldn’t really hear him. She wasn’t even in the classroom anymore. The wooden floor of the Jolly Roger creaked beneath her feet, and the salty Neverland sea sprayed her face.

  Never mind walking the plank! Freedom was on the horizon for Wendy and her brothers.

  And Ashley knew just where to take the ship. “Tiger Lily, man the sails. Tinker Bell, you’re on watch. Let’s get outta here!”

  Natalie seemed confused but committed. She used her hands as binoculars and surveyed the seas around them. Amy pretended to release the sails. And, with that, the girls were off.

  Ashley stood on her tiptoes. “To Lake Monroe! For an adventure!” She pointed in the air, shouting loud enough for the room next door to hear.

  Mr. Garrett sat back on the edge of his desk and shook his head. “This isn’t the script.”

  “Wendy! You can’t take my ship!” Landon was still trying to get his hook back on. He shuffled toward Ashley, like he was going to take the wheel from her.

  “Wait!” Elliot stepped in front of Landon. “It’s supposed to be my ship at the end of the scene!”

  “Can’t you see!” Landon whispered to Elliot. “I’m trying to get us back on track.…” He moved around Elliot and continued for Ashley. “Wendy Darling! You will regret this!” He took one more step and tripped over Chris’s teddy bear. He fell with a loud THWAP!

  Ashley gasped. “Hook? Are you okay?” She helped him up.

  “I’m fine.” Landon readjusted his hat. A goofy smile came over his face. Then he seemed to remember he was Captain Hook. He cleared his throat. “Wendy! I’ll get you!”

  “Stop!” Mr. Garrett stood on his chair this time.

  Everyone looked at him.

  He rubbed his head and removed his glasses. “I think that’s enough rehearsal for today.”

  Ashley marched over to her teacher. “Wait! It was just getting good! Why’d you stop us?”

  “Because.” Mr. Garrett looked tired. “That’s not the story.”

  “I think it’s better.” She crossed her arms and tried to look like a superhero. “Wendy Darling takes over the ship! It’s a hit, I tell you, Mr. Garrett.”

  “No.” He managed a slight smile. “You’re very… entertaining, Ashley. But that’s not what J. M. Barrie wrote.”

  “Who?” Ashley wrinkled her nose.

  “J. M. Barrie. The author who wrote the book.” Mr. Garrett held up his copy of Peter Pan.

  Ashley sucked in air through her teeth. “Ah. Yes. I thought he sounded familiar. Maybe he’d consider a rewrite.” She shrugged. “Just a thought.”

  “You, miss, are the perfect Wendy. And you’re a great leader.” Mr. Garrett looked right at her. “But, Ashley, you need to stick with the lines. That’s the only way a class play works.” />
  “I just… I thought a trip to Lake Monroe would be fun.” Ashley looked at her shoes. One of them was untied. It could wait till later.

  “I know. But we have to be serious about this.” He closed the script. “Try to act more grown-up, okay?” He turned to the class. “Please gather your things and study your lines tonight. Also tomorrow is…”

  Everything faded.

  Ashley couldn’t stop her disappointment. Wasn’t the whole point of Peter Pan to stay little? And now her teacher was telling her to grow up. Of all things.

  She packed her bag, tied her shoe and helped put the props away. The last item to go back in the closet was the pirate ship wheel. She held it for a few seconds and then looked out the window. For one more moment, she was Wendy, taking the ship and maybe all the Lost Boys to Lake Monroe. Where they wouldn’t have to worry about lines and parts and hooks flying across the room.

  Where they didn’t have to be grown-up, even for a few minutes. Instead they could be forever young.

  At least for a little while longer.

  13 Dad’s Career Day

  KARI

  The meteor shower was twelve days away and Kari couldn’t wait. For now Ms. Nan’s class was still working on their essays. What they wanted to be when they grew up. Every day they talked about a different career and today was the most exciting assignment of all.

  Today was Take Your Child to Work Day! A day to go to work with their parents.

  Kari had thought about it all night. A hospital might be the perfect place to work one day. She and Brooke and Ashley all had permission to join Dad from morning to night to see what a doctor actually did. Kari had her notebook so she could write down what she learned about working with sick people.

  Kids like Alex.

  They were driving to the hospital now, and Kari stared at the first page in her notebook. It read: Kari Baxter’s Take Your Child to Work Day Observations. Observations were real things Kari might see or hear or experience today. Details she could use in her class essay.

  Kari tapped her pencil. She felt like Lois Lane from the Superman comics. Or Nancy Drew, the famous fictional detective! Ashley and Brooke had to write reports on Career Day with their dad, too.