"Now remember what we told you, sweetheart," Dixie told Tina as she swept a stray lock of hair back from the girl's face.

"Hold your head up and smile," Tina said with a grin.

"That's right." Kel patted Tina's shoulder approvingly.

Since Tina was still on crutches, she had to have help getting on and off the bus, and the driver had reserved the first seat in front for her. The other children looked at her curiously on the way to school but didn't say anything.

Tina remembered the way to her new classroom and so got there without any problem. As soon as all the other children arrived, Tina's new teacher, Mrs. Swanson, introduced her. "Class, this is Tina Redmond. Today is her first day of school here. I know we're all going to make her feel welcome."

"Hello, Tina," the class said dutifully.

"Let's see...I think I'll put you right over here, next to Lori." Mrs. Swanson led Tina to her new desk. Lori had medium-length dark blonde hair held back with a head band, blue eyes, and braces on her teeth. She smiled at Tina, and Tina smiled back.

The class studied math, science, and English. Then they went to the chorus room for music, and then it was lunch time. Tina sat beside Lori, and two other girls sat across from them.

"This is Karen and Lisa," Lori told Tina. Both girls had long dark brown hair and blue eyes.

"How'd you hurt your foot?" Karen asked Tina.

"I was in a wreck over the holidays," Tina replied. She debated whether or not to tell them about her father, then decided not to, since she'd only just met them.

"Wow, that must have been scary!" Lisa exclaimed.

"It was the scariest thing that ever happened to me," Tina agreed.

"So what school did you go to last term?" asked Lori.

"South Central."

The other three girls exchanged surprised looks. "Did your Dad get a new job? Is that why you go to school here now?" asked Karen.

"No, he still has the same job he's always had," Tina said evenly.

"What's he do?" asked Lisa.

"He's a doctor at Rampart, and my Mom's a nurse there."

The other three girls looked impressed. "So, how come you used to go to South Central?" asked Lori.

"That was when I used to live with my old family, before my new family adopted me," said Tina, thinking quickly.

"Wow, you sure are lucky," said Karen.

"So what does your Dad do?" Tina asked her.

"He's a lawyer," said Karen. "That's cool that your Mom works too. Mine doesn't."

"So, do you like the Jackson Five or the Osmonds better?" Lisa asked Tina.

"I don't know," Tina replied thoughtfully, profoundly grateful to her for changing the subject. "Michael Jackson's awfully cute, but so's Donny Osmond."

"I got the newest album by the Jackson Five for Christmas," Lori announced. "Want to come over to my house this weekend and listen to it?"

"Yeah!" all three of the other girls said together.

"You worry too much," Dixie told her husband as they entered Rampart together for their first day of work after a few days off. "I'm sure she'll be just fine."

"It's just that I know adjusting to a new school is going to be a real challenge for her," Kel replied. "It's a whole new group of kids."

"Oh, kids are the same all over," Dixie said breezily.

"So, how's the foster parenting working out?" Dr. Early asked the couple.

"Just fine, so far," Kel told him. "I think Tina's filled a longing inside me that I didn't even know was there."

"Its the same way for me," Dixie added.

"That's great." Dr. Early smiled. "I hope it continues to go well for you."