“You will.” He finally understood she meant more than the house and yard he’d left behind when he traveled to visit her. Before Mama Jack could add more, Raskee brushed against Finny’s leg.
Good, The cat’s purr added comfort to all that now surrounded him. With this soft response from his small friend, Finny fell asleep.
***
Long before sunlight brightened the window glass, Finny opened his eyes and couldn’t go back to sleep.
The soft chirp of crickets outside drifted through the open window. The clock on the bedside table said it was only 3:33, but Finny wasn’t tired like he always was back home, when he woke up so early.
Raskee lay near the open pages of the book, staring at Finny. It’s about time, he growled.
Finny reached out and pulled the book to him.
Mama Jack played with her bright finger tips. They twinkled with inlayed sparkles that caught the dim light in the room. The cream color of the page calmed their mesmerizing attraction. “Come on, sweetie.” She reached out. When he clasped her soft hand, calm passed to him. “Don’t be afraid. I have something I need to show you.”
Everything darkened. With a sharpness that captured his breath, ribbons of light streaked across his vision. Time and space lost meaning. Finny knew, somehow that he traveled at a great speed. “How?”
There was no answer. Mama Jack’s arm stretched out and knew they were flying through the air. Thank goodness she kept a firm grip, because her touch gave him the sense of security, like the belt on the plane that had kept him safely in his seat on the flight out that he needed. Planets gathered and swirled past. Raskee’s soft rumble shared joy and pleasure that was easy to understand.
Soon a brilliant blue green planet took on shape and grew before them. That’s just too weird. It looks like Earth.
It is, sweetie.
But we traveled a long way? Didn’t we?
Yes and no. We’ve traveled into space to show you where we are really going, but we are also in your room.
Before he could ask more questions, the ribbons of light slowed and Finny was suspended in a sea of stars. The international space station glistened in front of him. Bright golden wings jutted from each side of the living module. They sparkled like Mama Jack’s fingernails as they gathered the sun’s energy. He wanted to stay and watch as it moved across the sky, but something tugged at him. Sooner than he wanted, Finny found himself back in his room. He sat up and stretched, the bed-covers pooling around him.
“How did you like the trip?” Mama Jack stood in the doorway.
“It was alright.” Finny awe crept into his voice.
“Do you want to help me in the farmyard? Misty and her friends will be waiting. Or would you rather stay inside and read?”
Finny couldn’t help but notice the twinkle that lit her eyes. “When do we start?” he asked.