But dad was there, so Kyle sat where he was, smoldering.

After they finished dinner, Maddy brought ice cream from the kitchen. The ate it as the night sky grew darker and darker. Soon it was lit only by the stars and a sliver of moon following the sun's path down to the horizon.

When the ice cream was eaten, Carl looked at his phone to check the time.

"That was a long dinner," he said. "It's already 10:30. It'll be time for the shooting stars soon."

"I'll take the dishes in now, then," said Maddy.

"I'll help you, mom," Kyle said.

"Well, don't leave me out here alone," Carl...