stalks in her life.
They found themselves in the lower level of the museum, where they passed
by a scrollwork sign that announced “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
It was her favorite book as a kid. “Go in?” she asked Peter.
He seemed hesitant. It was more of an area for kids than adults.
“Sure,” he said eventually. “After you.”
They walked in just as a burst of three kids ran out. Once inside, though, it
was quiet.
There was a display where you could feel the beat of the Tin Man's heart, and a cutout display where you could take a photo of yourself as a Flying Monkey. Which they did.
“Here,” Peter said ahead of her, “I think these are for you.”
He was pointing at a giant pair of silver slippers mounted on a pink platform.
A girl was standing inside them, clicking her heels together. When she did, a sign lit up in front of her in pink letters. There's no place like home.
She joined him. “I thought they were supposed to be ruby?” she said.
He was reading the sign next to the exhibit. “Says here they were silver in
the book. They used ruby in the movie to provide contrast with the Yellow Brick
Road.” He looked up. “And you thought science was boring.”
“Not science. Maybe scien tists,” she teased.
“Ouch,” he said, but he was smiling. The girl in the shoes had hopped down
and moved on to the next exhibit. “Just for that, it's your turn,” he said, pointing.
“Uh uh,” she said.
“Don't think your feet will fit?”
This kidding, it was like when they were kids. “What do I do?” she asked,
sliding out of her shoes.
“Hop up,” he said, taking her hand. It was strong and soft at the same time.
She leaned on him a little more than she needed and slid her feet into the giant
shoes.
The room was empty, almost silent. A disco ball swirled mirrored stars
around the darkened room.
“Now,” Peter said. “Click your heels together and say, 'There's no place like
home'.”
Her heart bumped in her chest. The painting in front of her was of the Emerald City, a spiraling Yellow Brick Road leading up to its gates. Above it was empty blue sky.
She closed her eyes and swallowed. “There's no place like home,” she said
and clicked her silver shoes together three times.
She opened her eyes. The sky above the Emerald City was emblazoned in
winking pink LED lights. There's No Place Like Home.
She swallowed again.
“Kate?” Peter said, his voice distant.
“Hmm?”
“I got a text. I've got to go.”
* * *
