live and learn

February 2041 - Andrew Carter and Kate Myers are 38, Harper Myers is 15, Avery Myers is 8 (Toby Wright is 15, Charlie Roseland is 8).

Harper has become friends with the stray cat who's been hanging out in their yard, and when she seems him mewing pitifully by the driveway buried in a snowdrift, she can't help but take him inside.

"It's okay little guy," she says. "Come inside. We can find you a nice warm place to sleep."

She names him Moonshine. He's a little cautious around her sister and parents, and he seems wary of their cat Artemis, but he already loves Harper.

At fifteen Harper is already a very serious scientist. She loves reading about physics and engineering.

With two parents who are doctors, Harper is in charge every afternoon. She makes sure that she and her sister get their homework done every afternoon...

...and takes care of any household disasters.

On nights when their parents are both working late at the hospital, she makes sure that she and Avery get dinner.

They're on their own a lot, so they like to invite friends over a lot. Avery is a very social little girl, and she loves inviting her friends Michael Wilder and Charlie Roseland over after school.

Harper is a pretty solitary kid, but she does have one good friend, Toby Wright. Toby is pretty busy after school with his job at the newspaper and his girlfriend, but sometimes he comes over after his job to hang out.

"So how're things going?"

"Pretty good. You know, busy."

"And how's Alison?"

"Uh, she's okay. She had a doctor's appointment last week, and things look good."

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

"We won't know for a couple more months."

"So what are you guys going to do after the baby is born?"

"Alison and the baby are going to live with her mom. Her mom has been really supportive."

"And what about you?"

"I'll see the baby a lot, but we're not going to live together or get married. I mean we're just kids."

"Yeah." Haper doesn't know what else to say, but finally she adds, "Well if you ever need to talk about it, you can talk to me."

"Thanks Harper."