Archie and Carin MacLean had bought their house and moved in right after they were married. Two years later, Tyler came along. Tyler was now seven, soon to be eight; Hunter, his younger brother, was five. Carin, their mother, had died not long ago in a tragic automobile accident, leaving them in Archie’s flustered care, in my care on occasion, and sometimes in extended day care at the island school. Archie kept saying he was going to hire someone to help him full-time with the house and the boys, but that kind of help was so difficult to find and then of course, to trust. For my part? I loved those little fellas like they were my own, and I couldn’t understand why he didn’t hire me. But he didn’t have to, because I sort of did the job for free.

Tyler had curly hair the color of a newly minted penny, and matching freckles of all sizes danced all across his nose and cheeks. He was just adorable and curious about everything. He was also missing four teeth, making him even more precious as he struggled to speak clearly.

“Hey, Miss Holly! Can we see the bees?”

And that was from Hunter, born with an inner daredevil and who was more curious and reckless than his older brother. Hunter’s thick, coarse black hair could not be tamed and his blue eyes were a window. From the day he was born, we always said he’d be president of something big or lead a life of crime. He always had at least one Band-Aid on him somewhere. A badge of courage.

“I don’t see why not,” I said. “What are y’all doing home today?”

“Parent tea-ther meetings,” Tyler said.

“Ah! I wondered why your daddy’s car was in the driveway. Okay, you both stand right there and I’ll show you what’s going on.”

I drew an imaginary line across the grass. They saluted me and my heart clenched. Tyler and Hunter were just too cute.

I stepped to the edge of the apiary, lifted my veil, and closed the gate. I took my water glass and turned it upside down, capturing a honey bee that was sitting on the roof. Then I slid her into the palm of my hand. My gloves were made of heavy suede and I knew there wasn’t a bee among them whose stinger could penetrate the tough cowhide.

“Do either one of you have a magnifying glass?” I asked.

“I do!” Tyler said. “Should I go get it?”

“Yep!” I said. “Quickly!”

Tyler disappeared inside the house and Hunter stared at me like I had just dropped down from the moon.

“Why are you wearing that funny outfit?” he said.

“You know why, young man. So that I don’t get stung.”

“Momma always said you shouldn’t play with bees. If you’re ’lergic you could get Anna flappic shock and die!”