Excerpt: Beyond the Horizon

As she stepped out on to the front porch, Josh was looking up at the stars. “I love a clear fall night. Seems like you can see clear across the universe. Look how close the Milky Way looks.” He reached up his hand as if to touch it.
“Do you know a lot about the stars?” Katie asked as she sat down on the wooden swing, its rusty chain giving a squeak as she began to move back and forth.
Josh leaned on the porch railing, his arms to each side resting on the rail, his long legs crossed in front.
“Just a little. Lisa and I used to star gaze at night out on the balcony of our apartment. She bought me a book one time showing all the names and positions of the constellations.”
Katie was silent. There really wasn’t anything to say to that. She knew his pain ran deep.
“The sky is beautiful, but I can tell I will soon need a heavier coat and that is something I did not bring with me.”
“Looks, like you packed in a hurry.”
“Yeah, was not thinking too far ahead I guess.”
“Chad is a really good kid,” she changed the subject. “You should be really proud.”