Extraordinary October by Diana Wagman Read Free Book Online Page B

was just broken beer bottles glittering under the streetlamps, but no, they were really fireflies. Incredible, magical, wonderful creatures. Everything about me began to twitch, to move. I wanted to dance. I had to get up. I had to see them up close.
    I pulled the cord and got off the bus. Despite my full backpack, I skipped and leapt as I hurried back to the fireflies. I twirled among them. One landed on my hand and blinked before it flew off. I imagined I heard them singing to me, welcoming me and asking me to stay and dance with them. I imagined they had bright, high voices, soft but crystal clear. “You’re beautiful,” I said out loud. “I love you.” I stayed until it began to rain, not a few drops, but a real rainstorm—also so unusual in LA—until I was wet and the fireflies were gone. Then I ran all the way home. I could have sworn my feet left the pavement for longer than humanly possible.
    I bounded up the front steps and into my house. “Mom!” I shouted like a ten-year-old, “I’m home! Guess what? Guess what?”
    My tiny, skinny Mom came out of the kitchen with a big fat smile on her face and a big fat envelope in her hands.
    â€œWhat is that?”
    â€œIt’s from Colorado,” she said. “It feels pretty heavy.”
    Dad came out of the birdhouse room. “Go on,” he said. “We’ve been waiting.”
    I ripped it open and read aloud, “Dear October: We are pleased to inform you—” I threw my arms around my mom. “I’m in!”
    It was fantastic. Colorado was one of my first choices, a great school for animal sciences and far, but not too far, from home. My mother actually had tears in her eyes.
    â€œI fixed your favorite dinner,” she said. “I knew we’d be celebrating.”
    I was happy, happy, happy, but then I remembered Trevor. I couldn’t stand him up. I’d have to take the car, run to the Stop N Shop, and explain to him why I couldn’t stay. He’d understand. I wondered if he’d heard from any colleges yet. I turned to Dad to give him a hug too.
    He seemed different somehow. I went in for the congratulatory embrace, and he just patted me on the back mechanically. There was something subdued about him. He was usually the most boisterous of all of us, the “Jolly Fat Man” as he called himself. But he looked down at the floor and his shoulders sagged.
    â€œDon’t worry, Dad,” I said. “I’ll be home for Christmas and summers.”
    He looked up and I saw he wasn’t sad about me leaving—it was something else in his eyes. Or nothing. A blankness. He forced a smile. “Such good news,” he said. “I am so happy for you.”
    He sounded so straight and formal, not like him at all, but I didn’t have time to wonder too much about it. I looked at the
    clock over the mantle and said, “I have to run to the store.”
    â€œNow?” Mom asked.
    â€œEmergency. You know.” I leaned over and whispered in her ear the magic word, “Tampons.”
    â€œTake my car,” she said. “Dinner will be ready in fifteen.”
    â€œBack in a flash.”
    As I grabbed her keys, I noticed my dad hadn’t moved. He was still staring at the floor. The rug wasn’t that interesting.
    â€œYou okay?” I asked.
    â€œFine, thank you,” he replied.
    He didn’t look fine to me, but I was late. I’d talk to him when I got home. I ran out the front door.
    The rain had stopped but the streets were wet and shiny. I drove at a speed definitely ticketable, but I couldn’t help it. I was excited both with my news and to see Trevor. Would I have my first kiss along with everything else—like the cherry on top of a dish of fireflies and college? When I pulled up, Trevor was waiting for me out front of the Stop N Shop. I started to get out, but he came and got in the passenger seat.
    â€œHi,”