Grandpa Ephraim had never wanted the Lightbender to save him. He hadn’t wanted to use his miracle for himself, but for Micah. The Lightbender explained everything as they rode Big Jean toward an EXIT sign.

Grandpa Ephraim’s last wish was for Micah to have the chance that he himself had lost. He had asked the Lightbender to teach him to use his magic; he had asked him to take Micah to Circus Mirandus.

“I don’t think you can imagine how shocked I was,” the Lightbender said. He was holding Micah close, as if he was afraid he might lose track of him if he let go. “I have spent my life making magic for children, but I have never tried to teach a child before. I have certainly never tried to raise one.”

“You’re doing fine so far,” said Micah. He was almost breathless with happiness. “You’re doing more than fine.”

He couldn’t believe that this was really happening. He was going to live with the Lightbender. He was going to learn magic. Grandpa Ephraim could have asked for anything for himself, and instead, he gave Micah everything.

“Yes, well,” the Lightbender sounded a little embarrassed. “I have not had the job for very long. I assure you that I will make plenty of mistakes in due course.”

“And Mr. Head?” Micah asked. “He really doesn’t mind?”

“He was . . . reluctant to risk welcoming someone so young and untried into our ranks.”

“Because of what my grandmother did.”

The Lightbender didn’t disagree. “He wanted me to make absolutely sure that you loved Circus Mirandus as much as we do.”

Micah realized then that the canyon across the interstate had been a test. “That cliff,” he said.

“Some of my better work,” said the Lightbender. “Did you like it?”

“Um . . .” said Micah. “Remind me not to make you angry. Ever.”

The Lightbender was still laughing when a familiar red-feathered blur plummeted out of the clear blue sky. Chintzy landed on top of Jean’s head and dropped an envelope into Micah’s lap. He looked at the return address.

It was from Jenny.

“Do you know what that girl is going to do to my workload?” the parrot huffed. “You’ve been living with us for ten minutes.”

Micah ripped it open, and a letter fell out along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. He was surprised to see that Jenny’s handwriting was even sloppier than his own.

Dear Micah,

Welcome to Arizona! My mom is letting me send this letter next-day mail so that it will be waiting for you when you arrive. I hope the trip with your aunt wasn’t too bad.

I know you just left, but I already miss you. Thank you so much for my bracelet. It really does make me feel like you’re not so far away.

I’ve been doing some research on Arizona. I made a list of fun facts for you about the state. Daddy says we might have time to vacation this summer, and I’m trying to convince him that the desert will be more educational than Florida.

I need to get this letter in the mail, so I’d better go now. Please write back.

Your friend,

Jenny Mendoza

P.S. Holy smokes! Chintzy!

I don’t even know how she got in my room, but she told me that the Lightbender has some kind of test for you and that you’re going to pass because she’s given you a hint and that she’ll deliver your mail from now on. Holy smokes, Micah! Are you really going to live at Circus Mirandus? Write back NOW.

“You have a wonderful friend in her, Micah,” said the Lightbender.

“The best,” Micah agreed. He touched the bootlace at his wrist. “I know we’ll probably be traveling all over the place, but is there any way I can visit her sometime?”

“This is how it starts,” Chintzy warned the Lightbender. “Next he’ll be asking you for a pony.”

“I will work something out with Mr. Head,” said the Lightbender. “Children don’t usually visit Circus Mirandus more than once, but then again, we don’t usually have a child living there.”

He raised an eyebrow at Chintzy. “And he can have a pony if he really wants one. We have plenty of them.”

Micah reread Jenny’s letter while Chintzy bickered with the Lightbender. He couldn’t believe how very good his life was going to be. Big Jean stomped along at elephant speed, but Micah knew they would catch up with Circus Mirandus eventually. And when they arrived, he wouldn’t have to worry about tickets or being invited in.

You never need an invitation to go home.