The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

I finally decide to tell Samantha about my stepmom and stepsister, and tell her that the family waiting for me in Plattsburgh is actually my dad and his new wife and daughter. I watch her face, wondering if she’ll be surprised to hear about my family.

Then, Samantha’s expression softens, and she says that change can be hard. But sometimes it can be good. Because if nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies. We smile at each other in the dark, then she moves her pillow closer to mine and rests her head, staring up at the stars. Sometimes change can be good, like meeting new friends. Like us meeting each other.

Overhead, a streak of light crosses the blue sky. A shooting star. Samantha says that’s my sign that the changes in my life will be good ones. I close my eyes and make a wish on the shooting star. I wish that, like Samantha, I will keep my heart open to the changes in my family.