THE NIGHT ETHAN COLE FINALLY FELT AT HOME
Chapter 4
The bonfire was lit at nine.
The flames climbed rapidly.
The crowd cheered.
Children shouted.
Music erupted from the speakers.
Someone started clapping.
Someone else started dancing.
Then everyone seemed to join.
Ethan stood there, watching.
Walter appeared beside him.
“You know the rule?”
“What rule?”
“You have to make a wish.”
Ethan laughed.
“I’m not twelve.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Walter handed him a small piece of wood.
“Throw it in.”
Ethan looked at it.
“What do I wish for?”
Walter shrugged.
“Something you want.”
Ethan looked into the flames.
For a moment, several answers came to him.
Peace.
A new beginning.
A chance to forget.
A chance to understand.
A place where he could stay.
He threw the wood into the fire.
Walter watched him.
“What did you wish for?”
Ethan shook his head.
“If I tell you, it won’t come true.”
Walter smiled.
“Smart.”
The band started another song.
People began dancing.
Walter disappeared into the crowd.
Ethan remained near the fire.
Then June grabbed his arm.
“Dance.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t dance.”
“Neither does Walter.”
They looked over.
Walter was dancing terribly.
June pointed.
“See?”
“That’s not an argument.”
“It is tonight.”
Ethan laughed.
A few seconds later, he found himself standing among the people.
He didn’t dance well.
He didn’t care.
Nobody cared.
That was the strange thing.
