“Yes. They have a lot of them, good kids from nice families. Anyway, there’s a new child, Matthew, who’s just moved here from Tennessee. His dad works for Boeing. His momma’s name is Maureen Thomas. Maureen inherited a big house on the beach over at Station Twenty-seven from her grandmother. In an effort to make friends for her son, she planned a birthday party for Tyler.”

“When is this party supposed to take place?”

“This afternoon.”

“Well, Tyler’s in lockdown.”

“Again?”

“Yeah.”

“So I suppose Maureen went to great effort?”

“Yes.” I was quiet and just stared at him for a few minutes. “Balloons, a lifeguard, twenty kids . . .”

“Well, this is a dilemma.” He stared at me, seeming lost.

“I know,” I said. “Look, Archie. This will be the first time in his life he hasn’t had a birthday celebration with his friends. And I know it’s none of my business, but does the punishment fit the crime?”

He paused before answering me.

“Between us? I thought being grounded for a week was too harsh. But I have to back up Sharon, even when she’s over the top, or else it undermines our relationship. You understand that, don’t you?”

I chose my words carefully.

“What I understand is that it’s a little boy’s birthday today, who barely a year ago lost his mother, who’s got to be on his mind, especially today, and that he’s got a stepmother that may not be the perfect fit. And no matter what he did or said, this punishment isn’t going to make him love Sharon. It’s only going to make him miss his own mother even more.”

“Did you ever think about becoming a child psychologist?”

“I’ve toyed with a lot of different ideas about my future. But do you see what I’m talking about?”

“I’ll call Sharon and see if I can get him some time off for good behavior. Maybe even get the whole sentence commuted.”

“There you go! Great! Thanks, Archie.”

“It would be a shame for Tyler to miss his own party.” He looked at me in such a funny way, and then he said something so stupid, I almost fell off the porch. He said, “Why do you care so much?”

I wanted to say, Why don’t you care more?

“Because I really love Hunter and Tyler, that’s why. I have since you and Carin brought them home from the hospital.”

Archie stood there on the porch, reminiscing.

“I miss her, you know?” he said.

“I know. Everyone does, but I think your boys might miss her the most.”

Archie nodded his head.

“Thanks, Holly. Somehow I always find myself thanking you for something. What can I do to make up for all you do for us?”