Wish Upon A Star

The night was warm and humid. The old air conditioning unit was loud and clanging inconsistently, threatening to fail during the hottest month of the year. My wife had already gone to sleep and my son was not home. I had now tried to put my daughter to bed three times but she would not sleep. The days were long and the world was too new and exciting. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and asked her if a story would help her to go to sleep. She agreed to close her eyes and try if I told her one.

So I led Alyssa through the pink door of her bedroom down the hallway on the left. Inside were her shelves full of magical story books and fluffy plush animals. I pulled back her lilac ruffle comforter and sheets and Alyssa climbed into her bed. I pulled up her gray rocking chair and sat down beside her.

I went to her bookshelf to pick out a bedtime story.

No, I want a new story.

It was so late and I was exhausted. So, I told her the only story I could think of.

I am going to tell you a story that you have never heard before. It's a magical story about why it's important to believe in your dreams. Remember, one story and then it's bedtime.

Okay, one story.

Once upon a time, there lived a man who was very lonely. He wasn't just any man. He was a prince who lived in big beautiful castle and would one day rule over a huge kingdom. He had a mom and dad, brothers and sisters, and many cousins, but the prince longed for more. He wanted to marry a beautiful princess and have a family. The king and queen tried many times to find the prince a princess to marry but it never worked out. He wanted a princess that was smart, pretty, and liked the same things as he did. The princess should be a graceful, generous, and caring but all of the princesses he met were selfish or conceited.

One day the prince almost gave up on his dreams. It was cold and rainy and the prince wished he had a princess to sit with him by the fire and drink hot chocolate. As he was getting ready for bed, the prince suddenly looked outside his bedroom window and saw a big bright star. The night was foggy and cloudy and this was the only star visible in the sky.

The man felt silly but he wished upon that star. He wished for all of his dreams to come true. To his surprise, the star replied. His deepest wishes would come true as long as he kept the power of the star a secret. The man agreed and then went to bed and fell fast asleep.

That night, the handsome prince dreamt of a perfect life. He dreamt that he had a beautiful wife, and a little girl and little boy. The next day, he woke up feeling hopeful and no longer wanted to give up on his dreams. Eventually the prince did meet a beautiful princess that was smart, generous, graceful and caring. He quickly proposed to her and they were married in a huge royal wedding in the summer. Soon after, the prince and princess had two babies, a boy, and then a little girl. Every now and then, the prince would look out the window at night, but the big bright star was gone. He never saw it again. So, he lived happily ever after.

The end.

I've seen that big star, daddy. I'm going to sleep so that all of my dreams come true.

She pointed out her bedroom window at the sky. I followed her gaze and there were many bright stars. The night sky was especially clear.

I drew the curtains shut, pulled the covers up to my daughter's shoulders and gave her another kiss on the cheek. Then I turned on the owl night-light on her dresser, said good night, and left the room. Luckily, Alyssa slept through the night.

The following morning was quiet. Ashley had already gone to work, Jason was sleeping over at a friend's house and I had the day off. I drank coffee and ate a bagel with cream cheese. It was now late morning, around the time Alyssa wakes up when there's no school to go to.

I walked down the hallway and looked to the left. Where just last night there had been a door, there was now just a blank wall.

I panicked. I called my wife but she did not answer. Then I called Jason and the phone did not ring.

I called Jason’s friend. He answered on the third ring.

Hello, who is this?

Hey, it's Jason's dad. Is he there? I think his phone is dead and I need to know if he has seen Alyssa, his little sister.

I think you have the wrong number.

Then he hung up. So, I called my wife's place of work. I never called her there because she was very busy and should only be called if there is an emergency. This was definitely an emergency now. Ashley answered on the third ring.

Hi, this is Ashley. How can I help you?

It's me. I can't find Alyssa. She's missing. Have you seen her?

Sorry, who's this?

Before I could respond I heard a familiar voice in my mind. The disembodied voice was cold and rigid. It was a voice I had not heard in over 15 years. It was a voice I didn't think existed. The last time I had heard this voice, I was a sad, lonely drunk, wishing upon a star that didn't exist.

It said, “You failed”.

I hung up the phone and walked around my home. There were no photos of my family, no sign that an entire life has been lived within the walls. It was as if the past 15 years ceased to exist. My perfect life was gone. My family had vanished. Only

the house remained. I regret telling that bedtime story.