Day Seven - Crater

Moonlight illuminates the top of the hill we’re standing on. Teddy is working on setting up a telescope he borrowed from Gale while Calvin hovers around him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the guy so excited before, he’s practically spinning circles around Teddy.

Teddy had invited myself and Calvin to go look at the moon tonight since he borrowed the telescope. He figured it would be something Calvin would enjoy aside from just looking at the moon in his books.

Calvin was so excited he rattled the table in the dining room, shaking all of our plates and cutlery. The commotion had caught the attention of everyone else in the house, even Mary, and now we’re all here, waiting to get a close up look at the moon.

Mrs Thompson is overseeing Calvin and Teddy’s activities even though she probably knows nothing about a telescope. She can’t help but mother them, watching and inspecting their every move.

Mary is standing at the end of the hill, taking in the view just beyond the fence. There’s more forest and a clear night sky before her.

I expected William to be standing right beside Teddy as he usually is. But like Mary, he’s chosen to stand beside her and take in the view.

And I’m just here perched on a log taking everything in.

“It’s ready!” Teddy exclaims and Calvin jumps up and down with glee.

I stand up to join the crowd that has formed around Teddy now. He looks around himself as if he can see what I can, a group of people eagerly waiting for him to tell them what to do next.

“Who’s first?” He asks, “Calvin?”

Calvin pumps his first and lunges for the telescope, knocking it slightly.

“Someone’s excited,” Teddy chuckles to himself and repositions the telescope.

He gives instructions to Calvin on how to best view the moon.

Calvin takes his time, peering into the telescope when he suddenly lets out a loud yell of excitement.

“I can see it! Every single crater, it’s amazing.” He continues to look through the telescope, “Teddy this is amazing, just amazing!”

“Calvin says it’s amazing, he can see everything.” I say to Teddy who smiles even wider now.

“It’s out of this world, better than any book!” Calvin says.

“It’s better than what he can see in a book,” I relay to Teddy.

“I’m glad I could share this with him, I figured this is as close to the moon as I could get him.” Teddy says and ruffles the hair on the back of his head. “Thanks for translating, Evie.”

Mrs Thompson tuts and asks Calvin if she can have a look now.

Calvin takes a step back from the telescope and starts running in circles around us. Like he physically cannot handle the excitement coursing through him.

“I wish you could see Calvin now,” I say to Teddy who’s holding the telescope in place for Mrs Thompson. “I can imagine he’s losing his mind.” Teddy says with a grin.

“That’s one big rock!” Mrs Thompson exclaims before walking off to let someone else have turn with the telescope.

Mary quietly takes her turn to look at the moon after Mrs Thompson. She doesn’t say anything but lets out a quiet gasp and thanks Teddy for letting her use it.

William stays in place, looking out at the moon with his own eyes.

“Your turn?” Teddy asks and gestures for me to stand in front of the telescope.

I place my eye against the cool metal and focus on the moon. It’s like Calvin and Mrs Thompson both said. It’s a large grey rock with craters in it. It’s amazing to be able to see it like this and not just with the normal view from the ground. I step backwards from the telescope and tumble into Teddy who was standing behind me. He catches me with both his hands and my heart flutters.

He gently releases me and I steady myself. “Sorry about that.”

“No worries at all,” Teddy says with a slight blush on his cheeks. “Did you enjoy the view?”

“It’s just like Mrs Thompson and Calvin said, it’s a big rock with craters. But it sure is something amazing.”

“My brother used to be so obsessed with the moon and space as a kid. I never completely shared his interest, but it is pretty cool to think about how that thing is just floating in the sky.”

I nod, and glance over at William who turned around at Teddy’s mention of a brother.

“I think there’s one more person who’d like to take a look.”

“Our mysterious guest?” Teddy asks. “Tell him to come on over!”

I watch as William adjusts the telescope himself needing no help from Teddy. Teddy places his hands on his hips and watches the telescope move around itself.

“Well I see you’re a professional!” Teddy exclaims.

A small smile curls on William’s lips.

I wish Teddy could know that it’s William he’s standing with.