Dorothy showed Grandy the kite and they watched it for a few minutes. Then the wind changed and the kite came down, fluttering on the ground. She ran over and collected it, showing him the rainbow design.

“That’s a beauty, Miss …” he said. He took off his glasses and polished them with the end of his scarf. “I forgot your name.”

“It’s Dorothy. Dorothy Gallagher.”

Grandy put his glasses back on. “I’m losing my memory.”

She pushed a finger at her chin and studied his face. “Where’d it go?”

“Like those seeds.” He gestured at the silver puff hedge. “Carried off someplace far away.”

“Maybe they’ll grow in a new spot.”

“I like that idea. Yes, indeed, that’s a fine idea, Dorothy.”

“I didn’t know it was your birthday, Mr. Harper. I don’t have a present for you. But …” Her eyes lit. “Hey! I have a surprise!” She ran and got her backpack and took out a little guitar.

No, Natalie realized. A ukulele.

Dorothy exchanged a look with Peach, who gave her a slight nod. She sat on the bench facing Grandy’s wheelchair. “I brought my uke to school for Show and Tell today. Ready?” she asked.

“I’m all ears, young lady.”

She adjusted the tuning, her head tilted to one side. Natalie glanced at Peach, then took a seat on the dry grass in front of the bench, and he joined her there.

Dorothy strummed tentatively and gradually seemed to gain confidence as she repeated a series of chords. Then she sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” the gentle Hawaiian version, sweetly soothing. Her voice was breathy and pure and unschooled. Passersby slowed their pace, and a few lingered to listen. Natalie watched the interplay between Dorothy and Grandy, and her heart melted.

At the end of the little song, Grandy applauded, smiling from ear to ear. “That was the nicest birthday surprise of the day,” he told her. “Thank you, Dorothy.”

“Welcome! I played it at school today, and I think I did real well.” The little girl looked up at Peach. “Aw, Dad. Really?”

Peach dabbed a bandanna at his cheeks, his sentiment on unabashed display. “Can’t help it, squirt. Whenever I hear you sing like that, it makes me cry big giant man tears.”

Dorothy put away her ukulele. “Good to know.”

What a lucky woman Peach’s wife was, having these two, thought Natalie. She jumped up. “I have a little something for all of us.” She opened the box from Sugar. “Birthday cupcakes!”

“Really? For us?”

“Really. I got a couple of extras for Bertie and Cleo. But … first come, first served, right?”

“Right!”

“There’s chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and rainbow unicorn.”

Dorothy’s eyes devoured the gorgeous little cakes. Then she glanced over at Grandy. “It’s your birthday. You pick.”

“Well, chocolate for me,” he said, helping himself.