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yellow and white, floating inside the glass. A very faint image started to appear above Andie. The electronic photograph was marred with black crevices, and was covered with scratches and holes, reminding Sammi of the dark, icky mold that she often had to clean from their dwelling.
    “Andie, the photographs are all grainy, and scratchy-looking,” Declan said, sounding disappointed.
    “Might be some d-dust on my projector lens? Could you please clean me?”
    Declan leaned over, and blew on Andie’s glassy orb. A storm of dust particles circled up into the vortex of his breath before falling out of the path of projected light.
    “Oh my, that feels so g-good. Again, again, again!” Andie sang, begging for more. The younger kids laughed. Their eyes fixed on Andie with mesmerized awe. Laughing, Declan blew once more, clearing the remaining dust.
    “Thank you, dear Declan. Now, let me try that again. Here we go!” Andie said, and began to cough and groan; much louder this time. A few of the children covered their ears to the unfamiliar sounds. The light grew brighter, and all eyes widened, as their hands fell from their ears.
    Seconds later, a glorious eruption of colors flooded the classroom. Mouths fell open, and all of the children, even the older teens, hushed, except for the sounds that accompany reverence and wonder. It was the same electronic photograph show that Sammi remembered from years before, the one with the butterfly. She searched for the butterfly in the mural of animated light, finding the winged miracle almost within reach of her hand. A sentimental joy and tenderness fluttered inside her. Today was special for more than a few reasons.
    I feel the butterflies in my belly, Momma.
    With the floating dust pushing in and out of the light atop Andie’s head, the electronic photograph covered the entire room. Sammi focused her eyes past the light, and to Declan. He stood next to Andie, with his arms to his sides, hands open, and fingers splayed, as though he were supporting the illuminated world enveloping him. He wore the same expression as their classmates: amazement. Even Ms. Gilly had a face of wonder, and stood motionless, taking it all in, and enjoying every bit of it.
    With eyes wide, Sammi sat back in her chair, and immersed herself in the deluge of vivid, and almost magical, imagery. So much color , she thought, and wondered if it was actually possible to have a world that was so vibrant. She shrugged off the question, and decided to just enjoy it, taking in every detail that the electronic photograph had to offer. The imagery touched the far walls, and nearly reached the ceiling.
    Sammi found herself holding onto her desk as she viewed an enormous valley in front of her; her perspective was like a bird’s. The sides of the classroom were lined with rocky slopes and hills, leading up to rolling mountains that rose high above Sammi and her classmates. The space in front of her was filled with deep green fields, and lush trees. Birds of every feathered shape, color, and size flew across the valley, landing on bowing limbs and leafy branches that stretched in all directions. A tapered creek wound through the curvy hills, and into the valley, and Sammi thought that she could almost hear the sounds of rushing water. Sunlight twinkled from the surface of the creek in a feverish dance, causing her to squint a little. She couldn’t remember the last time that anything had caused her to have to narrow her eyes. Puffy white clouds, as considerable as the mountains, slumbered weightlessly, as if by magic, crossing the rich blue sky, and creating terrific shadows that seemed to swallow everything in their path. What Sammi saw next caused a pang of despair, and a feeling of want inside her: she saw the maker of the shadows. It was the sun, just a hint of it, at first. But then, as it slowly emerged from behind a cloud, the brightness filled the room, shimmering in the eyes of the enthralled faces in the classroom.