Caden looked up at the starry sky. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and now a million pricks of light danced above him.

“Does the sun get lonely up there?” he asked. “I mean during the day. All the other lights run away when he comes around.”

Father shifted on the blanket before speaking. “I suppose you’re right,” the man said. His voice was deep but hushed. “But maybe they don’t run away. They stay right there behind the sun and cheer him as he goes by.”

“But I see them moving. Look,” said the boy as he pointed to the sky. “They’re all running away.”

“Of course they’re running away. They’re playing tag, and the Sun is it!” Two large hands wrapped around Caden’s waist and tickled him furiously. “Stop!” he giggled.

After a moment, Father spoke again. “Don’t worry about old Mister Sun. He may never catch up with those stars, but he’s got you and me for company every day.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Caden said. He listened to Father name the constellations, then they went inside as his eyelids grew heavy.

“Do you get lonely down here?” he asked as Father carried him up the stairs.

“Sometimes,” the man said.

“Do you miss mommy?”

“Always.”

“Me too.”