Carmen's Sweet Sixteen
A few weeks later, it was July and the weather was getting warmer as summer was in full swing.
Carmen rolled out of bed, dressed quickly, and raced into the kitchen for breakfast.
"Happy sixteenth birthday, my one and only sister-in-law!" Lisa exclaimed.
"I can't wait to sing and dance tonight! Thank you so much!" Carmen exclaimed.
"You're welcome." Lisa said to Carmen, putting Risa in her high chair.
Carmen sat down at her plate of thick pancakes topped with strawberries, strawberry syrup and whipped cream and began eating.
"Did Raf sleep in this morning?" Carmen asked.
"Rafael went to the Regnerys', he is selling some of our wares to them for a little bit of cash." Lisa answered Carmen.
"I see." Carmen said.
That night, the Moondance clan got together to celebrate Carmen's sweet sixteen.
EJ, Daniel, and Esteban Garcia topped a hill and stopped in a little clearing, they looked down the other side of the hill to the forest below.
"Guys," Esteban said, looking around. "the sun is setting, we'd better head back to Pine Hollow before we get caught out after dark!"
"He's right," EJ said. "we should get back, it's almost twilight now!"
Daniel was about to sign something, when suddenly, the nearby forest was lit up with sparkling and shimmering lights, then they heard lively music.
"Wow," Daniel signed. "it sounds like a celebration!"
"Yeah," Esteban said. "unfortunately we can't stay for it, we've got to get back, Max is probably chewing his fingernails down to the nub as it is!"
The boys turned their horses and headed off to Pine Hollow.
Down the hill, at the party, Carmen was dancing with her friends.
When suddenly she could've sworn she heard distant thunder of hoofbeats disappearing into the distance.
In her mind's eye, Carmen saw the smiling face of her dream boy.
In a voice barely even a whisper, Carmen spoke to herself, "I wonder?" she asked.