So far, Heddy has met a mysterious man named Artie, who wants his presence on the island kept secret. She meets a new friend, Lester. Her deceased grandmother, Nonni, appears to her giving her advice now and then.

***********************************

Lester isn't allowed to come over for a few days. He looks miserable when we visit the post office. Mrs. Collette just barks orders at him the whole time we're there. She seems to be in an ill mood with Momma, too.

"Mrs. Collette, have I done something to offend you?" Momma asks. She puts a look of concern on her face.

"Frankly, you've introduced my nephew into a world of which he ain't accustomed. Made him think he's too good for the likes of Wayne and myself."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, brother. Ever since you showed up here, you've acted like you don't belong here. Like the rest of us are below you." Mrs. Collette reaches under the counter and waves an envelope in the air.

I recognize the letter. It's one of the envelopes that my momma uses for her letters to Aunt Lana.

"You and your fancy stationery."

"I brought that in here last week!" Momma says. Her eyebrows shoot up and she reaches for it, but Mrs. Collette tosses it back under the counter.

"Give me that."

"It's now property of the U. S. Post office."

My mother draws in a deep breath and straightens up. "Mrs. Collette, you are a vile woman. You treat this child like he's your servant. He needs love. No child wants to leave their home and come to place where they are treated as if their only reason for being here is for your convenience."

Mrs. Collette turns towards Lester. "Do I treat you badly?"

Lester stares at his aunt.

"Well, answer me."

"I'm, uh, fine." He stares at the floor, his cheeks turning bright pink. "I'm treated real good here."

Mrs. Collette turns a smug smile on my momma. "There. You see? You think Lester would lie? If I treated him so badly, why wouldn't he tell you?"

I look over at Lester. He won't look up, not at me or Momma. He just stares at the floor.

Momma turns to Mrs. Collette. "I'll take my mail, please."

Mrs. Collette, still smiling, tosses a handful of mail on the counter. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Momma nods a curt goodbye to her, turns and walks over to where Lester is still standing. She gently touches his chin and leans to kiss the top of his head. She whispers something to him then steps away.

I follow her to the door, pausing long enough to look back at Lester. He tries to smile but his face is clouded with misery. He waves weakly before ducking behind the curtain.

***********************************

Momma is quiet through most of the afternoon. She sets her sights on fixing Willis's room up for his return.

I spend the afternoon carrying buckets of clean water in for her to use and then carrying the dirty water out. I drag the rug out to the back porch.

I carry an armload of curtains and quilts out to the kitchen so Momma can wash them later.

"Are you still mad?" I ask, hoping she won't get angry with me for bringing it up.

"I'm not mad, Heddy. I'm just, well, I'm just frightened that Lester isn't going to get the love and nurturing that he needs and deserves."

"He said it was fine."

She reaches her hand out. "Did you believe him when he said that?"

Slowly, I shake my head. "What did you say to him?"

"I just told him he was always welcome in our home, and that if he ever needed us we would be there for him."

"When is Willis coming home?"

"Should be soon. The letter was dated three weeks ago. I'm sure we'll get news soon."

"Are you excited? I know you miss him."

Her smile says it all. "All those prayers have been answered."

**********************************

While Momma washes the curtains and sheets, she let's me run to the beach.

I head to Dr. Monroe's house. I need to ask Artie why he isn't a soldier. Every man, woman and child has a duty to our nation. Miss Simmons told us that. We all have to do what we can for our country.

He's sitting on a metal chair just staring out at the ocean.

"Hello again, Heddy."

I stop at the top of the dune suddenly shy.

"Cat got your tongue?"

"Why aren't you a soldier?"

He nods, smiling as if he knew I was going to ask that question. "I had a feeling your friend passed his suspicions on to you. He thought I was a spy? A deserter, maybe? Now, you think maybe Artie is a bad man?"

He doesn't move but I feel myself taking steps backwards. "Why are you here?"

Artie stands, looks at me and sighs. "Because the Fuhrer wants me to come home and help him take over the world."

"The fuhrer? He's German."

Artie looks at me, a small sad smile greets me.

Lester was right. He is a spy.

"You lied to me!"

"No. I love America. I've lived here for a very long time. But I'm still a German citizen. I've been called home. They will try to use me to gain information. I don't want that. I love America and it's people. I love you, Heddy. I don't want to do anything that would put you or anyone in danger."

Germans and Japs are monsters. Everybody knows that. Artie looks so sad. I should run and tell someone about him. I always thought if I found a pirate or a German soldier, I'd tell and be a hero. I could save our island.

So, why do I find myself running to Artie, arms open for a hug? Because I believe him. And, he's the only friend I have left.