Chapter 2

The day was as hot as an egg sizzling on a fry pan, but not sticky or uncomfortable. The clear sky above was a bright shade of turquois blue. I knew this to be a welcoming factor for boaters. In fact the ocean’s surface as I drove by was a million tiny, sparkling diamonds, reflecting sunshine in all directions. In the harbor, there was a school of motor boats and sail boats, enjoying this perfect June day. I arrived at my mom and step-dad’s home on Ocean Street, just two houses up from Lothrop Street, which ran along the shore and Dane Street Beach, where I had spent my carefree teenage years growing up. Here on the second floor is where I had planned to have the graduation party for my youngest daughter, Starre Grace. It was the only place large enough for a party and our family was already familiar with the location. Unfortunately, it was a bit awkward for her dad, as he still resided on the first floor, and mind you this had been our family apartment for just over twenty years. Doug and I had divorced three years prior in December of 2005, and he was still very heartbroken and bitter toward me.

My mom (Grammy Gail) is a beautiful woman, she wears her hair naturally gray and stands with a perfect posture. She’s a snappy dresser, even in her retirement, and keeps herself busy as a bee. She is devoted to my stepdad, Jack, and they reside on the second floor of a very large three story home, built back at the turn of the century. I went upstairs to prepare what I could for the party beforehand. I put all the perishable food in the refrigerator and set out the paper goods and decorations. The homemade sheet cake that I had hand decorated was set in the middle of the dining room table as the centerpiece. It was one of my hobbies to decorate cakes and it was frosted in BHS colors of black and orange.

Starre was downstairs getting dressed in her cap and gown. She met us out on the front porch where we traditionally prepared our yearly “first day of school” pictures. We were a bit rushed but Jack and I were able to get a few shots before Starre got picked up for the graduation ceremony. Her long blonde hair hung straight down from the graduation cap. Her face beautiful and proud.

It was there I waited for Starre’s older sister, Sunny, to arrive. Sure enough, there she was buzzing around the corner in her little black, Mazda Miata convertible, blonde hair blowing gently in the summer breeze. What a genuine smile that put on my face! Her inner beauty no less shadowed by her outer radiance; she was strikingly adorable and fiercely independent! My first born angel and my first realization of a miracle grown inside me and nurtured with true love. Her birth