Never Grow Up

Landon’s face lit up at the joke. Like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “Good one, Amy.” Landon used his normal voice now. “Hey, you play four square, right?”
“Yes, I do!” Amy beamed at Landon. “It’s the best. I’m not as good as you, but I love to play.”
“Well you should join us sometime at recess.” Landon smiled at her. “If you want.”
“That would be nice.” Amy’s cheeks turned red.
Ashley rolled her eyes at that girl. Then she turned to Landon. “I play, too, Landon. And I’m really good.”
Elliot was standing nearby in his Peter Pan costume. He looked confused. “You never play four square, Ashley.”
“Yeah.” Landon patted her curly head. “Very funny, Ash. Maybe stick to the three-legged race.”
Ashley’s mouth hung open. “I’m being confident here, okay?” She took a step closer to Landon. “I said I’m really good because that’s what I believe. Whenever I do choose to play, I’ll be very, very good.” She crossed her arms. “That’s called believing in yourself.”
“Fine.” Amy pulled Landon closer to her. “We’ll let you play with us.”
“Us?” Ashley noticed Landon was looking a little uncomfortable. “Amy… you can’t just be part of an ‘us.’ Landon is my friend, not yours.” She smiled at Amy. “Also, you may need Field Day practice before you can officially join in four square.”
Natalie waved her wand this way and that. “Can we just move on? We have a show to do.”
“Right. A show!” Ashley clapped. “Good, Natalie. Way to keep us in line.” She held up her hands and raised her voice. “Let’s go, people. We got a show to do. Places.”
Mr. Garrett turned and stared at Ashley. “I’m the only one who can say ‘Places.’ ” He cleared his throat. Then he looked around at the class. “Fine. Places, people! Let’s circle up.”
“I found it!” Chris ran up holding his teddy over his head. “I found the bear!”
“Wonderful.” Mr. Garrett put his hands on his knees and caught his breath. He sounded a little worn out. “Boys and girls, here we are. After reading the book and… much rehearsal, I do believe we are ready to take the stage in two minutes!” He sighed. “Then come Monday we can put this whole thing behind us.”
Put it behind them? Ashley studied their teacher. Maybe he needs a part in the play, she thought. No one should be in a hurry to leave Neverland.
Theirs was the first act so the whole class lined up backstage. Out in the auditorium, they heard Miss Patty welcome family and friends to the talent show.
Mr. Garrett dropped his voice to a whisper. “Okay, class. You can do this!” He looked at Ashley. “And stick to the script.”
She saluted him. “I’ll certainly try.”
Miss Patty paused. “Now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage Mr. Garrett’s fifth-grade class presenting for you… Peter Pan.”
The audience clapped and cheered, and moments later Ashley took her spot near the cardboard cutout of a bed. The others took their places, too, as they waited for the curtain to rise. When it did, bright lights flooded the stage.
It was happening! Ashley could barely breathe. They were in Neverland! Amy took her spot at the center. An extra-bright light shone on her. “All children grow up… except one. This is the story of Peter Pan!” She threw a handful of pixie dust in the air. Then she began to tell the story of the Darling children and how one night Peter came to their window and told Wendy about his home in Neverland.
That was Elliot’s cue.
He strutted onto the stage, fists on his hips. “Neverland is the best place. A fantastic place where you never grow up!” Elliot was the most convincing Peter Pan ever.
Next it was Ashley’s turn. She had never felt more like Wendy. “Oh, Peter!” She clasped her hands together. “Do take us with you! How do we get there?” The audience faded away. What was happening here felt as real as her next breath.
Elliot pointed out the window. “Second star to the right and straight on till morning.”
“How amazing! I want to go!” Ashley ran to the window. Only her slippers slid on the wood floor and instead she lunged forward. Without warning, the window toppled to the ground, revealing a few pirates and Lost Boys, waiting their turn. Those students hurried out of sight.
The audience released a quiet laugh.
“Those pesky windows…” Ashley improvised. “Always being a pest. Falling over… and never opening when you need them to.”
“I’ll help!” Chris rushed in, his teddy bear flopping as he ran. Then he helped Ashley set the window back in its place.
“Thank you, Chris. That’s very kind of you.” Ashley patted Chris’s head and gave him a gentle push back to his spot near the bed.
“I’m Michael.” Chris scowled at her. “Not Chris.”
More quiet laughter from the audience.
“True.” Ashley waved at Chris. “Hello, Michael. You’re very helpful with windows.” She could practically feel Mr. Garrett staring at them from the wings. She did a curtsy toward Elliot. “Peter… how shall we get to Neverland?”
Elliot was frozen in place. He hadn’t moved or spoken since the window incident. He glanced at the audience, and then back at Ashley, but still he said nothing.
Mr. Garrett’s whisper was loud from just offstage. “ ‘We fly, of course!’ That’s your line!”
Elliot blinked a few times. “We… we fly, of course!”
The scene got back on track and the window stayed in place. They continued, accident-free. Even as they flapped their arms and flew to Neverland to meet the Lost Boys. And when Hook threatened to defeat Pan, good news! His hook stayed on.
In no time, it was the final scene. Ashley and the others were tied up to the pirate ship.
Amy continued her narration. “So, Wendy, her brothers and the Lost Boys watched Hook and waited for their fate.”
Landon paced around the stage, sword in hand, hook high in the air. “Join the pirates or walk the plank!”
Elliot made the rooster crow sound and hopped onstage. “Peter Pan here,