6 Seeing Is Believing

CHAPTER SIX SEEING IS BELIEVING Electron microscope (noun). This is a special microscope where beams of electrons allow us to see teeny-tiny things like molecules and even atoms. That means you couldn't look at anything big, like your pet snake. For one thing, it would be too wriggly! AFTER I DUMPED THE CONTENTS of the cocoa packets in our mugs, we discussed the all- important party decorations. Like what kind of plates we needed and how we could have a rocket station. Then I came up with the idea of using some liquid nitrogen to create a Jupiter-like atmosphere right outside the garage. I bet Mom could borrow some liquid nitrogen from Ms. Daly, since she's the principal and all. "Great idea, Kate, to have the station outside," said Dad, "since liquid nitrogen is freezing cold and can be dangerous." "You could drop a vat of hot water into a bucket of the liquid nitrogen. Then poof! It would get all cloudy. And look just like Jupiter. Make sure to wear a lab coat, gloves, and goggles, though," I said.

"Yup, I got it." Dad made the okay sign. "Safety first. Remember what Dr. Caroline taught us." Dad always reminds me about Dr. Caroline when he wants me to be extra careful. She's my favorite chemist on YouTube. And she visited our school for STEM Night last month, and I met her! "Yay! We're going to Jupiter," screamed Liam, interrupting my thoughts about Dr. Caroline's visit. He then said instead of party hats, he wanted everyone to wear alien antenna headbands. "That's awesome, but aliens aren't real," I said. "As far as we know," said Dad with a wink. "Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Once upon a time, people didn't know about molecules or atoms. Then scientists theorized they existed, and later we developed technology to see them. But even before the electron microscope was invented, atoms still existed." "I guess that makes sense when it comes to aliens, but only sort of." I told them about how in chemistry club, the new girl, Tala, brought up how astronomers theorized black holes existed even though they couldn't see them. "Right now, we don't have evidence to really know if little green outer space people exist." "But if we get evidence we could?" asked Liam. "Exactly," said Dad.

Liam thumped his chest. "I'm gonna find some space monsters." "Go for it," I said. Whiiiiiiieeee. A high-pitched screech came from the other side of the kitchen. I jumped out of my chair. "What's that?" I asked, jerking my head around. "I think it's called the teakettle," said Dad. "Oh, right." Liam and I both laughed. All the talk about bad luck and aliens had spooked me. Grabbing the kettle, I filled the mugs with the hot water. "Let's just stick to science. Like planets, comets, stars, and—" "Black holes that suck everything into them," said Liam with big eyes. "Hey, I want chocolate doughnut holes at my party. Oh, and black hole key chains as party favors." Dad tapped his pen. "I can't write that fast—slow down." "Cake!" yelled Liam. "With planets on it. And a spaceship. No. It should look like a planet or a moon." He held out his arms. "With giant craters." Dad thought a minute. "How about a cheesecake? Everyone knows the moon is made out of green cheese."

"It's actually made from rock, and there's silicon and magnesium and iron in the middle," I said excitedly. "Tala was telling me about it. She loves space just like Liam." "I don't want a cheesecake." Liam harrumphed. "Have you ever had one?" asked Dad. "No, and I'm not going to. Ever." Liam squinched up his face. "Cheesecake is yucky." "What about cupcakes, then?" I said brightly. Liam folded his arms. "I want an ice cream cake with a Saturn on it. 'Cause the rings look like a racetrack. And I want Mr. Arvanites at McSweeny's to make it. Desmond got an ice cream cake there, and it looked like a real land of dinosaurs. With a T. rex on it. And grass that was icing." He licked his lips. That's when Mom strode into the kitchen. "I couldn't help but overhear the last part of your conversation," she said, "and it's much more interesting than the budget meeting I just finished up at school." She placed her hand on Liam's shoulder. "Honey, you invited your entire class to come from eleven a.m. until two p.m. If we pick the ice cream cake up in the morning, it will melt before your guests arrive, and we don't have anyplace to store a large one." "Sorry, buddy," said Dad, rubbing Liam's head. Liam slumped in his chair. "It's not fair."

"Hey, I could pick up the cake in the wagon," I said. "It's only ten blocks away." Then I thought about how Birdie could come with me. As long as she was acting like herself again. Not all weird and distant. "I could get it during the party. Right before we eat," I added. "I could bring Birdie." Dad took a sip of his hot chocolate. "I don't see why not." "I guess as long as it's not snowing," said Mom. "No. Let it snow, snow, snow!" Liam pointed out the window. "If it's a huge snowstorm, then my friends can stay with us an entire week!" "Oh boy," said Mom. "If it's the snowstorm of the century, we'll have to take a rain check on the birthday party." "Or rather a snow check." Dad handed Mom his mug of hot chocolate. She took a slow sip. "All right. If your sister is careful, then yes, you can have your ice cream cake. And it would definitely be good to have Birdie with you." "Yay!" Liam gave me a giant hug. "You're the best sister in the entire universe." "Let's not forget the multiverse." Dad winked. "I can't wait until my birthday," said Liam. "'Cause it's going to be the best luck day ever!" "Definitely," I said, giving him a high five. "Because there is no such thing as bad luck. It's a

scientific improbability." "I sure hope so," said Liam, looking into his now empty mug. "I know so," I said.