Monday morning found Spencer on her way to Chelsey’s studio to pick up little Clay for the day. She had spent a quiet day at home the Sunday, as Ashley had spent the day with Kyla bonding. She had phoned Spencer a few times during the day, complaining about how Kyla’s idea of bonding was going to the gym for two hours and making her sweat out half her body weight. That was followed by eating almost all the cake they could get their hands on and then having dinner with Glen. Ashley had been so disappointed when Spencer said she would be spending her Monday with Clay that Spencer had invited her to spend it with them. One day a week she made the effort to spend time with her nephew, be it after her day of teaching or over a weekend. Spencer was a certified English Lit teacher and found it kind of funny that she would end up teaching at King High of all schools. In the end she shrugged it off as life being life.

Her thoughts of her current working position was pushed aside when she spotted Clay and Chelsea standing in front of the studio patiently waiting for Spencer to arrive. Spencer loved Clay to death and the feeling was mutual. The usually shy boy loved Spencer and she was one of the few people he would speak and play animatedly with. Even Arthur and Paula was not privileged to this behavior.

So it was with a big smile on his face that he ran into her arms when she got out of her car.

“Hey little man, are you ready for a day at the beach?”

Spencer was beaming a smile of her own at him as she waited for his answer.

“Yup, I got my swimming trunks and sunblock and everything. It’s going to be fun, maybe the dolphins will swim with us this time.”

Ever since Clay had seen a special on tv about dolphins, he had had a small obsession with the animals. Or more accurately, swimming with them. Spencer caught Chelsey’s eyes and shared a smile. It amused both adults immensely that he had there and then declared he was going to be a marine biologist one day. Spencer was not sure he even knew what that meant, but with Clay you never knew. He was as smart as his father had been, already further ahead than any seven year old should be.