Chapter 1: May 2007
“Starlight, starbright; first star I see tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight?” I get on my knees, fold my hands, close my eyes, and make a wish. “Mr. Star, I hope you can hear me tonight. I would really like to find a boy to love; someone who is kind, funny, and who loves me too. Please, pretty, please, grant me this wish?”
I open my eyes, sit back, and watch the sky. The wind blowing through the trees and the sound of the crickets relaxes me. Suddenly, the screen door slams. I jump. “Mom! You SCARED me!”
“I’m sorry!” She replies with a hug.
“It’s okay. I was just dreaming and listening to the crickets.”
“Yeah, they are making quite a racket tonight,” Mom complains.
“Racket? I thought it was peaceful!”
With a touch to my nose, Mom chuckles and says, “Skye, only you would think crickets are peaceful. You are too funny!”
Mom turns and looks at the trees, watching the lighting bugs chase each other through the sky. She sighs, “Your father would have loved this. You are just like him, you know. He was always into astronomy. He loved being outdoors. I guess that’s why he joined the military.”
“I wouldn’t say that I love being outdoors. I just love the stars and the peacefulness of the night. I really wish Dad was here, though. Would he have been a good dad?”
“He would’ve been a GREAT dad! He was looking forward to you being born. He always wanted children. We had planned to have a big family. If he were here, he would have adored you and spoiled you rotten,” she tells me as she tickles me.
Mom gets quiet and looks out at the night sky again. “I miss him so much!”
I see a tear roll down her cheek. She looks around in silence for a bit. Once she pulls herself together, she says, “So how about we get off this sad topic, okay?”
“Okay.” I wrap my arms tightly around her and try to pour all my love into her to make all the sadness leave.
“So, my dear, what did you wish for this time?”
“The same as always…to find love,” I reply with dreamy eyes. “But, SHHHHH!!! You can’t tell anyone, or it won’t come true! I hope I get to marry a pop star like one of the Jonas Brothers or Justin Bieber. I would love to go to the BBMAs and be the envy of all the girls! It won’t matter, though. He will have eyes for only me!” I spin around the porch with my skirt billowing around me. I can’t wait to grow up!