Aisha stood very still by the garden gate. Her eyes were fixed down the sidewalk, where warm golden light pooled from the houses. Rustle, rustle — she counted each shadow sliding past the iron bars.
Her daddy appeared at the far corner, one hand holding a big red balloon and the other carrying a wrapped gift tied with silver ribbon. Aisha dropped to her knees and pointed, her mouth forming a wide O. The balloon squeaked softly against his fingers.
The balloon slipped free and bounced down the sidewalk. Aisha scrambled after it on her sneakers. It bounced over a crack, bounced near a fire hydrant — and then POP! Tiny glowing star-shaped lanterns floated up into the dark sky.
Aisha reached for the wrapped gift and tore the silver ribbon. Inside was a crescent moon lantern that immediately lit up with warm golden glow. She held it high above her head.
The streetlights around her seemed to brighten, and she laughed as her own shadow danced on the sidewalk. "Look, Daddy!" she called.
A man walked down the sidewalk toward her, his face lighting up when he saw the moon lantern in her hands. He reached her in three quick steps.
He scooped her up, and she clutched the moon lantern tightly against his chest. They stood together by the gate, their faces lit in gold.
Aisha smiled against his shoulder. The star lanterns drifted higher and higher into the night, like a river of light flowing home.
The star lanterns kept rising, swirling together in the sky. They looked like a galaxy that had come down just for tonight.
Below, the sidewalk was still and quiet. The houses glowed their patient gold. Even the trees seemed to hold their breath.
Aisha peeked over her daddy's shoulder and whispered, "Will they come back?"
Her daddy squeezed her close and whispered back, "Every year. When you need them most, they come."
