Bette stood on the back the ferry, looking back at where they had come from.  Her mind raced back too.  She remembered her third birthday.  The cake was round and had red trim and red roses.  Her mother had made it herself.  Maxine was an artist and great with her hands.  Her father had come home carrying a box so big he could barely get his arms around it.  Tied to his forearms were three balloons.  Her mother helped him set the box down and then they shared a kiss.  Her father made her wait til after dinner and the cake before she opened the box, it was excruciating.  When the last sliver of icing was on her tongue she asked, “Now Daddy?”

“Now Baby.” Bette tore into the paper and had the lid off in seconds.  It was her first set of wheels, a shiny red tricycle with plastic streamers on the handle bars and a horn in the middle. 

It was one of her earliest memories.  Thinking about it now she realized how lonely and isolated their world had been.  She hadn’t known any of her grandparents.  She knew she had cousins but had never met any of them.  Her parents didn’t really socialize so she didn’t have any friends.  She played with Mr. Samms next door some but he was eighty three years old and not the birthday party type.  Bette was suddenly thankful that Angie had play dates and friends and especially her aunt Kit.  She was still going to talk to Kit about the Disney thing but she thought she’d take T’s advice and be gentle. 

“Hey, you okay?” Tina was holding Boo, the wind was whipping through their hair. 

“Yeah, I’m okay.” She reached out for Tina’s hand and pulled her closer.  The announcer came on to say that they were about to dock.  The boat began to slow.  A flash of silver caught Bette’s eye.  “Hey Boo, look over there, see the dolphins.” 

Angie looked to where her mom was pointing and squealed with delight.  “Look Mama T, look, look, dolphins.”

They decided to walk to the hotel instead of getting the shuttle.  It was less than a mile and Tina said it would do Angie good to stretch her legs anyway after the car ride and the boat trip.  The island was alive.  Summer was on in full force.  The harbor was full of boats the sidewalks full of skate boarders and shoppers.  Little tykes played on the playgrounds and teens were shooting hoops.  “Maybe you and I should play a little one on one,” Tina said and gestured as they passed a basketball court.