Chapter 49

• The cardboard spaceship was finished—or as finished as a five-year-old and two ambitious adults could make it. Theo declared it “Space Cruiser Sterling,” complete with a hand-drawn flag and a duct-taped control panel covered in buttons made from soda bottle caps.
• Danielle sat cross-legged on the floor, her hands speckled with silver marker and glue. Alexander was beside her, sleeves rolled up, a streak of red crayon smudged across his jaw like war paint. And in the middle of the chaos sat Theo, beaming like the sun.
• “Prepare for liftoff in three… two… one!” Theo shouted, pushing imaginary buttons.