Everett blinks. He stands on his blue recycling bin. He wears a red beach towel. In his hand is a yellow plastic sword.
Audacia stands by the oak tree. She holds a garbage can lid.
Robbie sits on the grass with his backpack.
Clara sits on the porch with her cat notebook.
The sun is low in the sky. Their moms call them for dinner.
"Did that really happen?" Robbie asks. He reaches into his pocket. He pulls out the iridescent marble. It catches the light of the setting sun.
Everett smiles. He looks at his friends. He knows the truth.
"Yes," Everett says. "And tomorrow, we play again."