She pulled the photo aside to reveal a second heart-shaped compartment behind the first. “That’s for your true love,” Violet said, pointing to the blank space. “I predict within a year, you’ll know exactly who it is.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, Sweetie, don’t cry. It’s your birthday.”

“This is the best day of my life.”

“You’ll have others much better, but enjoy. Here, let’s put it on.”

Liza turned around and lifted her hair while Violet fixed the clasp. Liza put her hand against the locket that was nestled in the hollow of her throat. The silver was already warm from contact with her skin. Her lucky charm. She could hardly quit touching it.

Violet paid for lunch out of a thick wad of bills, making sure everybody noticed. She seemed pleased as Punch and more than once remarked that life was soon going to be one hundred percent improved. Liza thought if that were really true, she wouldn’t have to repeat it four times during the meal, but Violet was like that.

“Oh geez Louise, I almost forgot,” she said. “I need a babysitter tomorrow night. Are you free?”

Liza’s smile faded. “Not really. Kathy and I are going to the fireworks.”

Violet looked at her with a momentary consternation, having assumed she’d agree. “Couldn’t you skip just this once?”

“I don’t know. I told her I’d go with her, and I don’t want to break a date.”

“Trust me, if you’re going out with a girl, it’s not a date. It’s marking time.”

“Couldn’t you get someone else?”

“Oh for heaven’s sake, Lies. At this late date? There’s no chance. Besides, Kathy’s a sourpuss. I’ve seen the way she bosses you around. Aren’t you ever going to stand up to her?”

“Maybe I could come for a little while. Until eight forty-five. We could hold off going over to the park till then.”

Violet fixed Liza in her clear green gaze. “If you sat the whole evening, you could have Ty come over. You know I wouldn’t care. Missing the fireworks isn’t that big a deal. There’s always next year.”

Liza was stricken. What was she supposed to say? The day had been so perfect, all because of Violet, who wanted only this one small thing.

Violet’s eyes widened. “Please, please, please? You can’t let Kathy take up all your time. I really need the help.”

Liza didn’t see how she could refuse. She sat for Violet all the time. Violet had been counting on her even if she forgot to ask. And Kathy had been such a pill of late. “All right, I guess. Maybe I can do something with her on Sunday instead.”

“Thank you, Sugar Bun. You are too too sweet.”

“That’s okay,” Liza said, flushing with pleasure. Praise of any kind always made her warm.