Never Grow Up

night. Ashley was drawing in her sketchbook, so Kari decided to write her thoughts in her journal. The happiest thoughts she’d had in a long time.
Tonight was the talent show. Me and Liza and Mandy were the Dancing Queens and everyone loved us. And guess what? I decided during the show that I want to be a dancer! For a career! Then just to show me it was the right choice, a girl talked to me after and invited me to take dance lessons. Mom and Dad believe in my decision. And that’s the best support a girl could have.
Good night.
KB
P.S. TWO DAYS UNTIL THE METEOR SHOWER!

20
Never Grow Up
ASHLEY
Today was a full day for Ashley. Not only was she going to Sunset Hills Adult Care Home with her mother and some other volunteers from church, but after that visit, they were going to Luke’s first basketball game.
Which was why Ashley got up early to paint him a surprise sign. She sat at the kitchen table, working her paintbrush over a huge piece of cardboard.
Luke really was the best little brother Ashley and her sisters could ever have.
Right now he was outside dribbling his basketball. He told everyone he planned to do that for an hour before his game. Ashley was painting to the rhythm of the bouncing ball.
FWAP… FWAP… FWAP…
Ashley had already painted the letters for GO LUKE! Also she had added in a fine-looking basketball. Now she was working on painting NUMBER 1 on the poster.
“Morning…” Kari came into the kitchen and poured a bowl of cereal. “You’re up early.”
“Yeah!” Ashley held up the sign. “It’s for Luke.”
Kari took a bite of her breakfast. “I like it, Ash! Good job!”
Just then, Luke came in through the back door. His basketball was under his arm. “Whew!” He smiled at Ashley and Kari. “I’m thirsty!”
“Oh! Hello!” Ashley turned the sign over as fast as she could. “Don’t you have… another hour of dribbling?”
“What’s that?” Luke pointed at Ashley’s sign.
“Nothing.” She spread herself across the sign. “Just me and the table here. Nothing to see.” She forced a smile.
“Are you making a sign for my game?” Luke grinned as he took a drink of water.
Ashley shrugged and then zipped her lips shut and threw away the key.
“That’s really nice, Ashley. Thanks.” Luke took another drink and he laughed. “Because I can see the cardboard.”
Kari took the seat next to Ashley. “Are you excited for the game?”
“You know it!” Luke dribbled the ball on the kitchen floor a few times. “When I grow up I’m gonna be in the NBA! I have to be ready!”
Ashley felt her mouth fall open. There it was again! Another sibling looking to grow up too fast. What was with everyone? She wanted to tell Luke to put the basketball away and skip his game. Go out back and look for frogs or lizards.
But she didn’t want to ruin his happy day. So she kept her thought to herself. Besides, she had zipped her lips and thrown away the key.
Luke moved to the sink for more water. Just then, Mom walked into the kitchen buttoning up her jacket.
“Ashley, dear. We need to go.” She grabbed her purse. “It’s chilly this morning… you should get your coat.”
“Already?” Ashley glanced at Luke and then back at Mom. “I just need a few more minutes.” She stood on her chair and pointed down at the cardboard sign. “Just a few… more… minutes.”
Mom’s eyes said she was clearly confused. “Ashley… you know we don’t stand on chairs.”
“Mother.” Ashley dropped to the floor and looked hard at her mom. Luke was facing the table now. He could see everything. This time Ashley held up one hand for cover, and then secret-like she again pointed to the sign. “I am not… quite ready. Get it?”
“No.” Mom shook her head. “Honey… we don’t have time.”
Ashley used her head to gesture for her mom to come over. Mom did, but she did not look amused.
“What’s going on?” Mom stared at her. “What are you pointing at?”
Ashley threw her hands in the air. “Fine.” She flipped the cardboard over. “Don’t look, Luke.”
He cheered and put both hands straight up. “Yes! I knew it was for me.”
“It was a surprise.” Ashley frowned. “Which is now ruined.”
“Oh… I’m sorry.” Her mom kissed her cheek. “You can finish it later. We really have to go.”
Ashley found her coat in the front closet and ran after Mom to the van. On the way there, Ashley turned to her mother. “I have a few questions for you.”
“Okay.” Mom looked more relaxed now that they were driving. “Ask away.”
“First.” Ashley turned so she was facing her mother. “Exactly how old are these people?”
“It depends.” Mom kept her eyes on the road. “Two are in their seventies. Another couple are in their eighties. I believe there is one woman in her nineties and I’ve heard that one man at Sunset Hills is a hundred and three.”
“Wow! That’s old. He must have a lot of wisdom.” Ashley put her hand to her head. “Next… are we gonna get to play dominoes with these old people?”
Mom shot her a glance. “The elderly, Ashley. Yes. We will play dominoes with them.”
“The elderly.” Ashley tapped her chin. “I’ll try to remember that.” She sighed. “Why do we need to visit them? Don’t they have families?”
“Some do.” Mom turned in to the driveway of what looked like an old house. “Some of them don’t have family in the area.”
Ashley gasped. “They’re lonely! That’s why we’re here.” She shook her head. “That’s so sad.” If only these people had signed a pledge when they were in fifth grade, she thought.
“It can be…,” Mom continued. “But there are great benefits to a place like this. The people here are in a community going through the same things. And they have people taking care of daily issues for them.”
“What kinds of issues?” Ashley tugged at her seatbelt.
Mom thought about this for a moment. “Well,