I have to say that 1926 was one of the best years of my life. My little girl was born that spring, my favorite season, and it brought me one of my new favorite people. My daughter and I had an immeadiate connection that I never expierienced before with anyone and I knew right then that she really was going to be the one who would teach me about love.

I would never say that to mean that I loved Jem less. No way, no sir. Jem was my boy and he would grow up to be a man. I know this because the first time I ever saw his face, I saw his mama. That gentle but wild soul was deep in his eyes and in the way he would talk. Jem and Jean understood each other so well and they were attached to the hip right from the start.

That's why Scout is a whole other story. I don't mean to sound narcisstic but boy do I see myself in her. If I know my children the way I think I do, she's going to give everyone a run for their money because she is going to live by her own rules. Her eyes, even though they are a beautiful blue pair, are not gentle; they are plain wild. Her eyes alone are going to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. All of what I am seemed to be passed down to her and reviewing my own life, God bless the road she's on.

My wife and I had plenty of time to worry about her future later, though. With Jem, we had come to realize that the first few months of infancy were fleeting and we were bound and determined to make every moment count with Scout. I loved the summer evenings when we would sit on the porch swing with Jem on Jean's lap and I would hold Scout and we would watch the sun go down. Scout would always look up at the pink sky, yawn and reach out for the orange sun like she was trying to catch it. I could tell she was happy.

"You like that, don't you, sweet?" I would ask as I would rub her head. She always loved it when I did that to her.

On one hot July night, I got a call from the Landing. I got annoyed because we were enjoying sunset time and I knew it was Alexandra and knowing it her, it really wasn't that important. I love my sister but she is as petty as the day is long.

"I'll take it, Cal," I told our maid as I handed Scout off to Jean. Scout began to cry about the fact I was leaving.

"It's all right," Jean told her with a kiss. "Daddy will be back."

"You're such girl," Jem remarked to his sister.

"Yes, I am. Thanks," Jean retorted in defense of our daughter. I had to laugh at my wife's wit.

"Here you are, Mr. Finch," Calpurnia handed me the phone once I was back inside.

"Thank you, Cal," I said as I took the phone. "Right after this call I will take you home."

"Whenever you're ready, Mr. Finch," she replied as she walked away. "Don't rush because of me."

"Brother," I heard Zandra say before I even said hello. "Brother."

"What do you want, Zandra?" I ask, trying to be more polite than the context of what I just said.

"Is that any way to talk to your sister?"

"Of course not. I apologize. Everything all right?"

"Oh yes. I wanted to tell you something that I've been meaning to do."

"What is it?"

"I want to give Jean Louise a proper methodist baptism. You can come down to the Landing with your wife and children right?"

"Well," I didn't know what to say. "Let me talk it over with Jean and if she agrees, I will call you back with when would be a good day for us."

"Oh, I've set up the arrangements already, brother."

"What?!"

"Yes. Please tell me you will all be there Saturday afternoon?"

"Zandra, you really didn't have to do that."

"Oh, I wanted to. I figure between your job and the new baby and your little boy that you would be just spent with all your energy."

"Well, it's not like Jean's not here."

"True, but nonetheless, brother."

"I promise we will be there saturday afternoon," I said as calm as possible. I was truly angry at her right now but not as angry as Jean was going to be. "Thank you."

"You're welcome..."

I quietly hung up the phone while Calpurnia stared at me wide-eyed with a smirk. She knows my sister just as well as anyone and could tell when she had done something that would set someone off. Usually I can just laugh it off with her but not tonight.

"What was that all about?" Jean asked as she walked in with Scout sleeping in her arms.

"Let me hold her," I said.

"Uh-oh," Jean said as she handed Scout over to me. "Must be something drastic if you don't want me to hold our daughter."

"We are going to the Landing on Saturday."

"All right," she said with a look of confusion and wonder. "Why are we going there?"

"Apparently, Zandra took it upon herself to plan Scout's baptism."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"When have I ever been a kidding man?"

"Shit."

As crude as that word was, that was the only way to express what the situation meant to us.