Never Grow Up

Kari laughed. “A dancer! Ashley, I want to be a dancer!”
Ashley’s whole face smiled. She put her hands on Kari’s sequined shoulders and jumped a few times. “Of course! Because you already are a dancer!”
For the rest of the show, Kari and Ashley watched from the wings near Mandy and Liza. Veronica was hilarious, and Mac the Magician had greatly improved his act from the audition.
Darlene sang “Tomorrow” from Annie, and not every note was perfect. But she never stopped smiling, and that had to count for something.
“And now… for our final act…” Miss Patty sounded like she had the biggest secret. “Please give it up for the Terrific Three Teachers!”
What was this? Kari looked at Ashley. She’d never heard of this group. Darlene was supposed to be the last act of the night. Then from the opposite wings, three grown men made their way to the stage. They wore brightly colored disco outfits, long wigs and oversize sunglasses.
“Mr. Garrett!” Ashley nearly screamed as she hit Kari on the arm. “It’s Mr. Garrett! And Mr. Stone!”
“And Mr. Chambers!” Liza and Mandy shouted at the same time.
Kari couldn’t believe it. Sure enough, taking the stage were Ashley’s teacher, the school’s PE teacher and their principal. The intro music told Kari exactly what was about to happen. The song played on the radio all the time.
“ABC” by the Jackson 5!
Just like Kari and her friends, the men sang along with the song. But their moves were mostly disco slides across the stage and quick spins, which they did with a great deal of dramatic effect.
Who knew these guys were so talented! Or that they could pull off such a great surprise!
The three men ended the song and two other teachers popped confetti cannons over the audience. It was the most epic end to a talent show ever. Ashley and Kari, Mandy and Liza cheered from the side.
With the talent show officially finished, the lights came up and people started to mingle. Kari and Ashley ran with the other performers to the auditorium to find their families. The Baxters were easy to see.
They were in the front row.
“Congrats to our two stars!” Dad hugged Kari and Ashley and handed them each a single white rose.
Kari sniffed her flower and smiled. “Thank you!”
Mom pointed at Kari and then Ashley. “You girls were amazing! So proud.”
“Ashley…” Luke stepped forward. “I like your new ending to Peter Pan. It should always be like that.”
“I think Ashley took some artistic liberties.” Brooke smirked.
Ashley looked proud. “Exactly. I thought it would be better if Wendy didn’t grow up. What do you think about that, Brooke?”
Brooke laughed. “It was very entertaining.”
“I can’t wait for fourth grade so I can join the talent show!” Erin smiled at Kari and Ashley.
“We’ll come watch you when it’s your turn!” Kari hugged her younger sister.
“Kari!” Ms. Nan approached, clapping as she walked. She was with Brittany, a girl from Kari’s class. The girl had done another fantastic dance routine in the show tonight. Ms. Nan put her arm around Kari’s shoulders. “That was incredible. You looked like a star.”
“Thank you, Ms. Nan!” Kari couldn’t wait to tell everyone her career choice.
Ms. Nan looked at Brittany. “You know Britt?” She pointed at the girl. “She’s in our class.”
“Sure.” Kari nodded. “Hi! You did great tonight!”
“Thanks!” Brittany handed Kari a flyer. “My mom has a dance studio. We do recitals and showcases. It’s a lot of fun. I think you’d be really good!”
Kari looked at the flyer and her heart began to race. The pictures showed some kids dancing onstage and a beautiful room with bars and mirrors. It looked like a dream place. “You mean…” Kari looked at Brittany. “I could dance there? With you?”
“Yes.” Britt grinned. “You’re an incredible dancer!”
After all the doubts and not knowing from the past month, Kari felt something she hadn’t expected. She felt her world falling into place.
“That looks great.” Mom ran her hand over Kari’s hair. “I think Kari would really enjoy taking dance lessons.”
Kari smiled and looked at her classmate. “Thanks, Britt! See you Monday.”
“See ya!” Britt ran off to find her family.
“Anyhoo.” Ms. Nan adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. “I don’t want to keep you. Just thought I’d connect the dots.”
Mom shook Ms. Nan’s hand. “Thank you. We really appreciate you helping Kari.”
“Kari’s a great student.” Ms. Nan turned to Kari. “Oh! Enjoy that meteor shower Sunday night. Can’t wait to talk about it Monday!” Ms. Nan smiled and walked off.
“The meteor shower!” Kari whispered to herself. With the buildup to the talent show, she had almost forgotten. This was the perfect weekend!
Dad gathered everyone and they walked back to the van. “Friday night… two celebrities fresh off their Bloomington debut.” He smiled at Kari and Ashley. “I say we get ice cream.”
Luke jumped up. “Yes! Chocolate chip!”
“You know, Kari girl.” Mom took Kari’s arm in hers. “You really were so good tonight. Like a professional.”
“Which reminds me.” Kari stopped short of the van and faced her family. “I know what I want to be when I grow up. God showed me up there on the stage!”
“Not a mermaid,” Ashley whispered to the group.
Kari laughed. “No, not a mermaid.” She took her time. “I want to be a dancer! More than being a doctor or a zookeeper or a politician or a lawyer. More than being a swimmer… I want to dance.”
Dad was the first to pull her into his arms. “That’s wonderful, Kari. I think dance lessons are definitely in order!”
Everyone congratulated her, and Mom squeezed her hand. “I knew the answer would come.” Mom looked straight into her eyes. “I believe, Kari, you will be a very, very good professional dancer!”
“Thanks, Mom.” Kari realized something. She would always need the support of her family. Now and when she was a professional dancer someday. Her family gave her one more reason to be thankful.
They had their fill of ice cream and back home they played with Bo before turning in for the