Second Star to the Right

A short story inspired by a classic:

Eliza tucked herself under her floral covers. She wiggled her toes as the cold from the sheets seeped into her skin. She huddled up to her purple teddy bear as her grandmother sat on the edge of the bed, a worn book tucked underneath her arm.

Her grandmother smiled softly as she opened the old book. Eliza could faintly see neat cursive writing filling the pages.

“Shall we begin?” Her grandmother said with a gleam in her eye. “This story took place a long time ago; I was only a little older than you at the time.”

She lifted the book and began to read.

***

March 9th, 1905

Father was in such a horrid mood this evening and I don’t know why he must be so loud about it. I had a very existing exciting dream yesterday. There were pirates, fairies, and a flying boy with a mischievous grin. When I told my brothers, John and Michael, we were inspired to played pirates. Michael kocked knocked over his blocks and they fell everywhere making a terrible noise. It was an accident and not his fault.

Nana came running like she always does when she thinks we are hurt. She is a very good dog and I wish Father liked her. Father stormed in just after and he looked very funny and I knew I should not laugh but I couldn’t help it. He had his tie hanging strangely and a comb was still in his hair.

He began shouting and said it was Nanas fault when it was not. My pleas didn’t stop him and he chased her outside and shut the door. I felt like crying but Mother said he was only worried about the gala and that he did not mean it. I think he meant it entirly entirely.

Now Mother and Father have left for the gala and the house feels quiet. I keep thinking of Nana outside and it makes me sad that she's all alone. I am going to let her back in. I will write again later if anything happens.

~ Wendy

Wendy closed her diary. The pen was still warm in her fingertips when she heard a sound at the window. She turned, and the curtains fluttered lightly, as if someone had brushed them. The sky outside had turned dark, and the stars twinkled gently while her brothers slept soundly in the bedroom they all shared. Cautiously, Wendy stood and approached the window.

She opened it, and the crisp March breeze greeted her. Shivering, she reached to close it, dismissing the sound as a simple house noise, when a small figure glided down in front of her.

“Eek!” Wendy shrieked as she stumbled backward.

It was a boy, impossibly bright and floating. He landed nimbly on the window and crouched there with a mischievous grin.

“Hello Wendy.”

Wendy blinked. She recognized him. “It—it’s you! You’re real?”

The boy smiled and tipped forward, the air seemingly catching him as he drifted into the room.

“I’m real enough.”

A soft, sparking glow danced around him, highlighting his strawberry blonde hair. Wendy gasped as she briefly caught sight of the most radiant creature, darting around like a golden hummingbird.

The boy laughed. “I’m Peter; that's Tink.” He gestured over his shoulder where a pixie-like creature hovered, her tiny arms crossed.

“A fairy…” Wendy murmured breathlessly.

“Wendy?" John’s sleepy voice came from his bed. He sat upright, rubbing his eyes. He froze.

“Wendy,” he whispered again, hushed and anxious. “Who is that? Why is he flying?”

Michael popped up beside him, eyes wide with curiosity. “Is that him, Wendy? The boy from your dream?”

Wendy’s cheeks flushed as Peter smirked at her. “Dreaming’s no fun if you wake up.” He winked at Tink, and she responded with a squeaky huff before darting away. Wendy felt something warm fill the bedroom air, then suddenly her feet lifted off the floor.

She gasped, clutching at the bedpost. “Peter!”

“You need to believe, and with the help of some fairy dust,” he said as he twirled around her. “You can soar to your heart's desire. Now think happy thoughts!”

Young Michael didn’t hesitate. He leapt off the bed with a squeal of delight. Laughter followed as he floated upward, spinning widely. John rose more slowly, arms stiff at his sides, his expression caught between confusion and amazement.

“This isn’t sensible at all.” He muttered even though he couldn't stop smiling.

The nursery filled with laughter and a sparkling glow as they drifted higher. Wendy’s night gown flapped like wings as gentle air rushed past her face. She was amazed and a delighted laugh escaped her lips. They swooped past the ceiling, dipped toward the floor, and skimmed over their bed and chairs. Michael spun in dizzying circles. John bumped into the wall and shouted in surprise before breaking out into laughter once more.

Peter hovered near the windowsill, grinning. “Ready?” he asked. Wendy flailed slightly in the air trying to stay still.

“Where are we going?” She asked.

***

A soft snore interrupted Wendy. Eliza had fallen asleep, safely curled beneath her covers. Her soft brown hair falling onto her face.

“Towards the second star to the right, and straight on till morning.” She finished quietly. Eliza slept on, her breathing slow and even. Her purple teddy bear tucked neatly beneath her chin.

Wendy smiled and closed the book, her diary, careful not to make a sound. She leaned down and brushed a loose curl from her granddaughter's face then laid a gentle kiss on her forehead.

For a moment, she remained there, sitting silently, listening to the hush of the room. The house was still, wrapped in an enchanted kind of quiet where dreams could begin.

Wendy rose and crossed to the window. She pushed the curtain aside just enough to peer out into the night. The sky beyond the glass was dark and clear. The stars shone brightly, scattered across the sky. Like fairy dust. Wendy thought to herself.

Wendy had grown older, but the stars remained the same, twinkling just as they had all those years ago.