Page 114 of To Catch a Firefly

Papa catches up before long, a smile on his face as he sees Daddy. He walks over, Baby Brother still on his hip, and he and Daddy kiss. They do that a lot.

“Almost ready?” Papa asks.

Daddy nods. “Done.”

Before Daddy can turn off the lights, I look up at the fireflies. He told me once that they’re Papa. That Papa is bright and beautiful and he was born with wings, which is why he flies away every few months. I asked if that makes him sad, but Daddy said no. Because Papa always flies home to us.

The fireflies flicker out as Daddy turns off the lights, but that’s okay. They’ll be back tonight.

The corn festival is loud when we arrive, and there are a lot of people. My baby brother doesn’t like the noise, so he wears earmuffs, and Papa carries him in a baby backpack on the front of his body. We stop for popcorn, and Papa picks up some caramel corn for Grandma. I like the salty kind best. After my brother has a bottle, we go on some rides. Well, me and Papa do. Daddy waits with Brother. Aunt Gabby and Uncle Riley show up, too. They bring Lyle. He’s not my real cousin, but everyone calls us that. He’s nine, too old to play with me and my brother, but he does go on some of the rides with Papa and me. Uncle Dani isn’t here, but that’s because he lives in New York. He said he’ll come visit for Thanksgiving.

It’s almost dark by the time we make it to the corn maze. Papa says we’ll leave soon, but we can’t go before we do the maze. It’s just the four of us again, and Brother is asleep on Papa’s chest, his dark hair stuck to his forehead. Papa has a hand on his back as he sleeps, and his other is holding Daddy’s. They do that a lot, too.

I give Daddy’s other hand a tug. “You promised,” I remind him.

He chuckles, letting go of Papa. The next instant, I’m being flung into the air. I laugh as Daddy settles me on his shoulders, and I hold on tight to his head.

“Which way, Luna?” Papa asks.

I try to look over the top of the corn to see the way through the maze, but I can’t tell where the exit is. “Let’s try that way,” I say, pointing at random.

We set off, winding through the paths of corn. I feel like the tallest person for miles. When a light flickers in front of my face, I gasp.

“Look,” I whisper. “The fireflies are here.”

Daddy stops walking, and for a minute, we all watch.

“Can I catch one?” I ask.

Papa and Daddy exchange a look.

“You can try,” Papa says. “But be gentle if you do.”

I nod furiously, reaching with both hands toward the nearest one. Daddy grabs a hold of my legs, keeping me steady, and I cup my hands around the flying bug as fast as I can. I bring my hands in front of my face carefully, making the tiniest crack, and peek inside.

“Whoa,” I whisper. The firefly glows between my palms.

“Nice catch,” Papa says.

I caught a firefly.

I watch it blink on and off. “Hello,” I whisper. Another blink. “Goodbye.” I open my palms and let it go.

The firefly flies off, and I wonder if I’ll ever see it again.

“My turn,” Daddy says. He reaches for Papa, and Papa laughs as Daddy kisses him. It goes on for a while.

Papa is smiling when he steps back. He smiles a lot at Daddy. I think that might be love.

Papa bounces Brother gently as we continue forward through the maze. When we finally find our way out, my eyes feel heavy, but I don’t say so. I like staying up late. Papa said I was named for the night, after all. He said the moon is his most favorite thing.

Papa and Daddy hold hands as we walk to the car. I rest my cheek on Daddy’s head.

“Ellis, look,” Papa says. “Is that a blue moon?”

Daddy is quiet for a moment. “Think so.”

“It’s beautiful,” Papa says.

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