Never Grow Up

She didn’t want to seem too eager, or too desperate. Then, she caught a look at Brooke, who was staring at her plate. She looked tired. Or sad.
That was it! Kari could be really sad.
Dad looked around the table and smiled. “Let’s pray.” He took Mom’s hand on one side and Erin’s on the other. Kari held on to Brooke’s and Luke’s hands, and Luke held Ashley’s and Mom’s. A perfect circle. Their family did this every night.
“God, we thank You for this family, for our friendship and health. Please bless this food and our time together. In Jesus’ name, amen!” The family echoed with a round of amens.
“How was your day, honey?” Mom took a piece of salmon and turned to their dad.
He looked tired. “It was a tough one. A boy was admitted to the hospital with cancer. Alex Hutchins. I think he’s a year older than Luke.”
Brooke frowned. “That’s terrible.”
“Maybe we can help him?” Luke pushed his fork around in his broccoli.
Kari smiled at her little brother. Luke always wanted to help people.
“Actually there is something.” Dad looked around the table. “The city is doing a 5K run in a few weeks to help raise money for Alex’s medical bills.”
“What time?” Mom nodded. “We could all participate.”
Dad took a sip of water. “I’ll find out.”
“That’s so sad… Sign me up, Dad. I’d like to help.” Ashley ate a bite of fish. “On the plus side, I’m a very good runner. So possibly I could run extra… you know, to raise extra money.”
“It doesn’t work like that, Ash.” Brooke took a sip of water.
“Brooke’s right.” Dad set his fork down. “For a 5K, runners get sponsors to donate and contribute. Also, the entry fees go toward the cause.”
The conversation continued but Kari wasn’t really paying attention. Her dog presentation was filling her whole mind.
Finally Mom noticed. “Kari, honey.” She sounded concerned. “You’ve barely touched your fish. What’s wrong?”
“I’m not too hungry.” She picked at her dinner. “It’s been a long week. Long month really.”
Mom and Dad were watching her. Like they weren’t entirely convinced.
Kari looked at her siblings, who seemed to be equally confused. Usually Ashley was the dramatic one. Kari sighed. “I’m supersad about the move, I think. And Ashley is very sad.”
“I’m not sad!” Ashley dropped her fork and did a little dance in her chair. “I mean… I’m sad about Alex. But before that, I’m having the time of my life here and—”
“Fine.” Kari held up her hand. “I’m not sad and I’m not sick. Sorry for lying.” She took a bite of her salad. “I’m actually starving.”
Ashley stopped dancing. “I was wondering about all that.”
“Yes, well.” Kari turned to her parents. She shook her head. “The truth is, I’m worried about Brooke. This has been the saddest week of our oldest sister’s entire life. In case you’ve all missed it.”
“Me?” Brooke froze for a few seconds. Then she looked at their parents. “I mean. I’ve had better weeks but…”
“Exactly.” Kari would take what she could get. “Which brings me to the reason we’re gathered here.”
“Hmm.” Dad grinned. “Dinner is what gathered us here.”
“Hang on!” Kari ran from the room, grabbed her presentation board and rushed back. She held it up. “I present to you… my case for a dog.” Kari walked the poster around the table. “Take a look, family. I think a dog is the answer to our problems.”
“Problems?” Dad looked at Mom.
“Yes!” Luke shouted from the other end of the table. “Let’s get a dog! Problems solved!”
Erin’s eyes lit up. “Yes! A puppy!”
Kari liked where this was going. “See those puppy faces? They need us. See their eyes? They love us.” She looked at her father. “A dog is man’s best friend, Dad.”
Dad sat back. “You don’t say.”
“I do say.” Kari smiled. “And, Daddy, I haven’t really seen you making new friends yet. A dog could fix that.” This is working, Kari thought. “And think of Brooke.”
“Kari…” Mom covered her mouth with her hand. She did a quiet little laugh. “This isn’t the time.”
Kari pleaded with her mother. “I’m almost done.”
“Fine.” Mom laughed again.
“Thank you.” Kari had to hurry. Before they made her sit down again. “Not only is a dog a friend to everyone, but he’s a great outdoor playmate. And…” Kari pointed to the poster. “A dog protects the whole family.”
“Depends on the dog.” Dad smiled. “A Chihuahua isn’t much protection.”
Everybody laughed at that.
“Plus.” Erin raised both hands. “They’re part of the family.”
Kari smiled. “That, too.”
Dad took a breath and sat forward. He placed his forearms on the table. “Thank you, Kari. Can you sit back down, please?”
“Yes, I can.” Kari set the poster in the hallway and returned to her seat. She took a bite of her salmon. It was delicious.
Dad looked around. “Dogs are a lot of work. They need to go on walks every day.”
“I love walks.” Brooke perked up. “I could help with that.” For the first time all night, she seemed truly happy.
Dad nodded. “That’s nice, Brooke. Thank you. But they also need to be fed.”
“That’s my job.” Luke raised his hand.
Mom shook her head. “You’re talking like we already have a dog.” She looked at their dad. “What do you think, John?”
“Well, Kari.” Dad looked at her. “I’m glad you were honest.” He smiled. “Very impressive presentation.” Dad clapped his hands together. “Maybe you should be a lawyer.”
“Thank you.” Kari took a bow. “Case dismissed.”
The next morning, Kari was dreaming about puppies when she heard Dad’s voice. “Kids. Get dressed.” He sounded very chipper. “Mom and I have a surprise for you.”
In record time Kari, Brooke, Ashley, Erin and Luke were up and at the breakfast table. Mom and Dad couldn’t stop smiling, which Kari took as a good sign. Even still, none of the kids dared to guess.
Would this be the day? Was a puppy going to be theirs?
After they ate, they piled into the van and ten minutes later they parked in front of a building. The sign out front read: