Chapter Eleven

Nova should have been tired, since excitement had kept her awake until nearly four in the morning, but she sprang out of her bed like she’d been sleeping on an ejector seat.

The front page of the paper said LIFT-OFF.

Billy read the article aloud over scrambled eggs and bacon.

“ ‘After several delays due to weather and other issues, the space shuttle Challenger is finally scheduled to launch later today…in classrooms all across America, eager students will be watching via satellite news network CNN. On day three of the six-day mission, teacher Christa McAuliffe will teach two fifteen-minute lessons from space, though perhaps the bigger lesson is one she has already taught students: to follow their dreams, no matter how far away doing so may take them.’ ”

Nova shrieked, bouncing in her seat. The newspaper said the same thing Bridget had. Challenger taught kids anyone could have a dream! Anyone could reach the stars! If you worked hard and wanted it bad enough, anyone could escape to outer space!

Nova hugged NASA Bear to her chest, too excited to eat. Finally Francine said it was time to put on shoes (Billy tied them) and go.

In the car on the way to school, Francine said she wanted to talk about “the meltdown” some more.

“I’m worried about you,” she said. “We need to understand why you had the meltdown so we can avoid that in the future. Do you know what avoid means? When you avoid something, you stay away from it, or stop it from happening.”

“Mm,” said Nova, but she was only half listening because “Space Oddity” was playing in her head and she was imagining herself going up in the Challenger.

“Maybe we can practice taking deep breaths when you feel upset? Can you take a deep breath?” Francine inhaled loudly and let the air out slowly, sounding like a balloon with a small hole. She glanced quickly at Nova, then returned her eyes to the road. “You try. Deep breath in, let it out slow.”

Nova breathed in quickly and puffed out the air. It was cold enough in the car that she could see her breath.

“Try again,” urged Francine. “Deep breath in, let it out slow. This is what you do when you feel overwhelmed, so you avoid having a meltdown.”

Nova breathed in and out three times fast, annoyed because she wanted to get back to floating around outer space in her head in peace. Either she did it right or Francine gave up because they drove the rest of the way with no talking.

Before Morning Circle, Francine wanted to discuss “the meltdown” again with Mrs. Pierce and Miss Chambers, so Nova found herself alone on the rug with Music Margot, who was sitting in her wheelchair, as usual.

Checking to be sure no one was watching, Nova darted forward.

“Hi.”

Margot did not answer with words, but she smiled.