"Are they here yet, Felicia?" Seven year old Claire asked, bouncing up and down in the patterned chair.

"No honey, they're not. They-"

"What about now?"

"Sweetie-"

"Or now? What about-"

"Claire!" Felicia laughed. "You've been asking that for 20 minutes! Stay still so I can get your braid right, okay?"

"Oh, okay," Claire said with a giggle. "Where did Mommy and Daddy go again?" she asked.

"To the city, remember? They should be just about here, they've already boarded the ship." Felicia finished braiding Claire's hair, which she could have sworn was spun gold. "There, done!"

Claire inspected the braid, and her blue eyes began to shine. "Cool! Thanks Felicia! May I go play with Jill now?" she asked, indicating her best friend.

Felicia smiled and nodded. Claire ran out the room.

I forgot how much work taking care of a child is, Felicia thought with a laugh, taking a breath. But she is a sweet one.

Her daughter Natalie and Felicia's son-in-law Pierre walked in. Natalie arched an eyebrow. "Is the rugrat still here?" Felicia gave her a stern look.

Pierre rolled his eyes. "Oh Nat. She's such a cute kid."

"Yeah, I guess." Natalie murmured hiding a smile. She rubbed her swollen, pregnant belly. She was due in about a month or so. Just then, the phone rang. Felicia peered at it, squinting her eyes. The phone hardly ever rang. She picked it up after the third ring.

"Hello? No, this isn't Claire. She's only seven. I'm watching her for...yes I know Chelsea and Mark. Claire is their daughter. Why?" Felicia's hands began to shake as the young man told her the devastating news.


Claire waved good-bye to her best friend Jill. It was time to go have supper.

She ran into Felicia's house. Her hair was mangled and the beautiful braid came out, because Claire had been rolling down the lush-green hills of Sunny Island. She looked down at her overalls.

Uh oh. Mommy's not gonna like this when she sees me, Claire thought, grimacing at the grass stains. She opened the door. When Felicia saw her, she threw her arms around the little girl and sobbed.

"Felicia?" Claire asked, widening her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Oh Claire, sweetie. Oh Claire," Felicia cried, rocking her. Natalie sat at the table, a crumpled tissue in her hands. Pierre looked distressed. His orchid top hat was in his hands.

"Wh-what happened?" Claire stammered. Adults aren't supposed to cry.

"Oh Claire. There's been a terrible accident." Felicia's voice was high and shrill.

"Where's Mommy and Daddy?"

"Oh Claire. Mommy and Daddy," she swallowed back more tears. "Mommy and Daddy had to go to Heaven early, honey."

Claire smiled in confusion, as if Felicia had just told her there was no tooth fairy. "What? No, of course they didn't. They wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Watch. You'll see. They're at the beach, waiting to give me a big hug," Claire said, nodding. "Yeah, a huge hug!" She ran out the room, and ignored everybody's "waits!" She didn't stop running until she got to the beach, panting.

"Mommy, I missed you so..." Claire began, but stopped dead in her tracks. Instead of Mommy and Daddy standing there, with open arms, all she saw was a gigantic boat in the water. Fire engulfed it.

No, no. Claire thought. That's not Mommy and Daddy's ship, it's not! Natalie had caught up with Claire, and the look on her face confirmed it was.

"No, no." Claire mumbled. Then louder. "No no no no no! Mommy and Daddy are not dead! They-They'll be here soon. They'll..." Her shoulders shook with sobs. Natalie gave her a hug, and cried with her. Tears rolled off her cheeks.

Never in her life had Claire wanted more than for Mommy to stroke her hair, telling her a story.

Never in her life had Claire wanted more than for Daddy to swing her up in the air, calling her a birdie.

Never in her life had Claire wanted more than for her parents to tuck her in, giving her a good-night kiss.

Never in her life had Claire felt so alone.