“Mom? How are you doing?”

“Oh, I’m doing alright, honey.”

“I have to ask you a question. It’s about Dad. Those lies he told me, do you think they were really that bad?”

Isabelle

“Oh, honey, nothing’s that bad, if you really think about it.”

“Did you just call me honey?”

“It makes a lot more sense, if you think about it, than ‘peanut butter and jelly.’ 🙂

“You can say that again.”

“Peanut butter and jelly.” 😀

“OK! Let’s eat!”

“What did you make?”

Mom

“Augh! Mom! Salmon again! You really should try something different.”

“I know you like it.

“Yeah, but we don’t have to have it all the time!”

“You know, I think this girl is good for you.”

“How did you know?”

“I can see it in your eyes. Your blush. You have a rosy tint about you. 🙂 Oh, Ishmael, I love you.”

“But my name’s not Ishmael. It’s Austin.”

“Oh, then, what should I call it. I mean, what should I call you.”

“JJ.”

“What was that you were saying?” The fire crackled. “Yes, there are many people you are meant to be.” She threw a branch in the fire. “And there are many people I’m meant to be. Go ahead,” she snarled. “Say your speech.”

“I’m Austin,” I whispered.

“And so you are. And I’m, I’m your Mommy.”

Isabelle

“Why would she say that?”

“I don’t know. She said something about ‘saying my speech.'”

“Moms are weird.”

“You’re gross.”

“Why? What am I doing?”

“Well, for one, you’re just standing here and talking when we should be moving. If we’re going to go on this awesome adventure—”

“Wait? How do we know we’re going yet?”

“Um. I have a letter.”

“You have a letter from who?”

“PETER HELLER.”

Dear Austin,

Your trip sounds really, really exciting. All of it. I mean it. Get over there, any way you can. When you get back, I’ll have my agent read it.”

OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! WE’RE ACTUALLY GOING!!!!

I never really believed it myself!

Hold on, Isabelle. I have to tell my Mom.

Mom? Where are you?

I’m here, Ishmael. In the forest. I have been looking for someone. Orion. Can you see him in the sky? He looks like he’s pointing this way.

Hold on, Mom!

I just have this funny feeling that he’s showing me a sign. I’ve been looking out for you, Ishmael, and I’ve been seeing this light—it looks to me like a lighthouse. Will you help me get there, Austin?

You know I’d do anything for you, Mom.

Walk with me then. I’ve always wanted to see the light of just where we’re going. I brought you something from the forest. It’s a tiny light. Make sure you keep it bottled up inside. I know you’ll do great, honey.

She kissed me.

Goodbye.