“When will it start?” Marcus whined as a mosquito bit him, leaving an itchy red welt behind. It seemed like they’d been waiting forever already.

“Not long,” Mom said.

He lay back on the quilt with a huff and watched the purple sky. The more he stared, the darker it got until it was nearly blue black with a winky-blinky star and a big round moon. Then he saw it. A tiny flash of light, then another, and another. 

He bolted up and jabbed a finger at the trees. “I see them!”

“If you’re gentle, you can hold them.” Mom stretched out a hand, scooping one up. 

It walked across her palm. Marcus hadn’t expected its head to be orange or its body black like a beetle. The firefly flared yellow for a second before it took flight. He chased after it, not really caring if he caught it, as he whooped with joy. Arms spread wide, he ran in circles while the glowing insects danced around him, a soft warm breeze ruffling his shirt, a hint of rain in the air.

“You were right, it is just like a magic show,” he said, collapsing on the old quilt beside Mom. 

She gave him her happy smile and didn’t say she told him so as she brushed sweaty hair off his face and offered him her water bottle. 

“Come on, let’s head back to the house.” 

“Aww, do we have to?”

“Oh, but I promise, it’ll be a magical walk.” 

Word: firefly | Action: chasing