In a midnight sky, some stars dance, he said. They move. Going up and down. Different directions. Dad took a swig of beer while his son drank a Coke. Falling stars, the father said. Maybe we will see them tonight.

The boy nodded, continued looking up at the sky. Did you do this with your dad?

What’s that?

Look at falling stars.

No. Dad lit a cigarette. No, we did not. I told you I never knew my dad.

Yeah. I just thought maybe he spent some time with you before he left.

No. I have no recollection of him at all, he said.

Did your mom ever talk about him? The boy asked.

No. We just kept quiet about it. I’m sure she was heartbroken. She acted that way. Always sad. I saw it coming a mile away. You looking up there? The boy nodded. Good, dad said. Keep looking. He lit another Marlboro. I knew she was going to do it. Some things you just know.

There’s one pop, the boy shouted. Right up there. Towards town.

Yep. It’s a falling star, alright.

Cool.

Yeah. Cool, dad said. You saw one. Now you can say you’ve seen a falling star. Next step is to catch it.

Right, the boy was quiet for a moment. I wish I knew them.

It’s best you never did. A man who leaves his family. A mom that shoots herself. You don’t want to know people like that, he told the teenager. I’m going to grab another beer. You want something?

The son just shook his head. Went back to looking for falling stars.