The Starlight Welcome

The evening sky turned a soft shade of blue like a fresh plum. Little stars popped out in the sky one by one. Billy Wilson walked up the front steps of the cozy little house. His pumpkin shoes went clack, clack, clack on the wood.

The pumpkin shoes had big carved grins that seemed to smile in the dark. Billy wore a black long-sleeve shirt and black pants that fit just right. A long black cape drifted behind him in the evening breeze.

In his hair, which was as dark as a crow feather, a tiny leaf caught a ride. He carried a small bag made of blue wool. Inside the bag were his favorite pajamas and a plush stuffed bear.

Billy raised his small hand and gave the wooden door a gentle tap. Knock, knock, knock went his knuckles against the paint. He waited with a soft and happy smile on his face.

Inside the house, soft footsteps came hurrying down the hall. A warm yellow light spilled out from under the door. The door swung open wide to show a very happy friend.

Elizabeth Marie stood on the threshold with a bright and sunny grin. Her lovely purple hair was tied back in one neat low ponytail. It bounced softly against her shoulder as she moved.

She wore a shimmering purple sparkly dress that caught the hall light. Her purple shoes matched her dress from top to bottom. Even her bright eyes were a pretty shade of purple.

“Hello, Billy! I am so glad you are here,” Elizabeth said in a voice as soothing as a lullaby. She stepped aside to let the cool evening air settle. Her cheerful greeting made Billy feel warm inside.

“Hello, Elizabeth. Thank you for having me over tonight,” Billy said softly. He stepped across the threshold and wiped his pumpkin shoes on the mat. The little carved grins on his shoes seemed to say hello too.

Elizabeth closed the front door gently against the night chill. She reached out and took hold of Billy's small black cape. “Let me hang this up for you in the coat nook,” she offered nicely.

Billy unclasped his cape and handed it to his good friend. “Be careful with the hem,” he whispered with a tiny giggle. “It likes to float around on its own sometimes.”

Elizabeth laughed a musical laugh that sounded like chimes. She hung the cape on a wooden peg near the door. Then she turned back to her guest with sparkling eyes.

“Come right this way into the kitchen,” Elizabeth said warmly. “The kettle is just about ready to whistle for us. We have a big night of fun ahead of us.”

Billy followed her down the cozy hallway with a bounce in his step. The walls of the house were painted a soft butter yellow. Pictures of smiling owls and flying teacups hung in neat little frames.

They reached the warm kitchen where the air smelled sweet like honey. A blue ceramic teapot sat on the stove making tiny bubbling sounds. Billy pulled out a wooden chair and sat down at the table.

“Did you bring your favorite book to read later?” Elizabeth asked as she bustled about. She grabbed two small cups with painted stars on them. Her purple sparkly dress shimmered every time she turned around.

“I brought the book about the moon mouse,” Billy said, patting his wool bag. “It has the best pictures of silver cheese.” Elizabeth smiled and nodded while she poured the hot water. A puff of steam rose up into the cozy room.

She poured the water over yellow chamomile flowers in the pot. The lovely scent of fresh apples and dry grass filled the room. “Chamomile tea is the best kind for sweet dreams,” Elizabeth explained gently.

She carefully carried the two mugs over to the wooden table. One mug had a yellow moon painted on the side. The other mug had a tiny green frog sitting on the rim.

“Careful, it is still quite warm,” Elizabeth warned in her soothing way. Billy wrapped both of his hands around the warm mug. The heat soaked right into his fingers and made him sigh with joy.

They sipped the sweet tea in a quiet and happy peace. Outside the window, a little cricket began to sing a bedtime song. Billy took a slow sip and watched the steam twist in the air.

“This is the best tea I have ever tasted,” Billy said honestly. Elizabeth beamed with pride as she took a small sip from her own cup. Her purple eyes crinkled at the corners with pure delight.

When the cups were empty, Elizabeth washed them in the sink. Billy dried them with a white towel that had blue flowers on it. They worked together like a well-oiled clock.

“Now we need to make our big pillow nest in the parlor,” Elizabeth announced cheerfully. She grabbed three big fluffy pillows from the sofa. Billy picked up two more pillows that were round like giant marshmallows.

They carried the pillows into the corner by the tall bookshelf. Elizabeth arranged them in a big soft circle on the carpet. Billy added a fuzzy green blanket right on top.

“This is the coziest nest in the whole wide world,” Billy whispered. He sat down in the middle of the pillows and sank right in. His pumpkin shoes peeked out from under the fuzzy blanket.

Elizabeth sat down next to him and fluffed a purple pillow. “It is ready for our stories and our secrets,” she agreed. The room felt safe and warm as the night grew deeper outside.

Billy looked around the room at the soft shadows dancing on the wall. He felt a funny little tickle behind his eyelids. His eyes began to glow with a gentle orange and green light.

Elizabeth looked over at him and smiled at the magical sight. “Your eyes are lighting up like tiny lanterns,” she whispered with wonder. Billy blinked his glowing eyes and looked down at his shoes.

“Do you think the moon mouse is sleeping yet?” Billy asked softly. He yawned a little yawn and leaned his head against a pillow. Elizabeth pulled the fuzzy green blanket up to his chin.

“I think the moon mouse is fast asleep in his cheese house,” Elizabeth said quietly. She curled up beside him with her hands tucked neatly in her lap. The soft glow from Billy's eyes made little green and orange shapes dance on the ceiling.

Billy closed his eyes and listened to the quiet night outside. He wondered what adventures tomorrow would bring when the sun came up. But for now, he just wanted to stay right here in the warm pillow nest.

“Elizabeth?” Billy murmured in a sleepy voice as the room grew dimmer. “What story should we read first when the sun wakes up?”