Blankets.
Pillows.
A thermos of hot chocolate.
Three bowls of popcorn.
And beside the window stood an old telescope.
I stared at it.
“What is all this?”
Grandpa smiled.
“Your sleepover.”
I looked at Mom.
She was crying again.
“Why?”
Grandpa pointed toward the telescope.
“Because you made me a promise when you were five.”
“I did?”
“You did.”
“What promise?”
He smiled.
“You told me that one day you wanted to stay awake all night and watch shooting stars with me.”
I laughed nervously.
“I said that?”
“You said it very seriously.”
Mom wiped her eyes.
“You also told him he wasn’t allowed to fall asleep first.”
Grandpa laughed.
“And she threatened to pour cold water on me if I did.”
I stared at him.
“I would never!”
Grandpa raised an eyebrow.
“You absolutely would.”
I smiled.
For the first time that night, I wasn’t scared.
Then Grandpa said,
