The high humidity and suffocating heat promised a summer storm soon. The katydid’s repetitive song filled the air. As Sam took a swig of the ice-col...d beer, he heard the door open behind him. He glanced back and saw his mom silhouetted by the interior light clad in her old robe.“Out here, mom!”He turned on the flashlight to light her way. Jamie grabbed two beers and switched off the interior light.He could see her struggling with chair and the beers in the yellow cone of light from the. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Cassandra setting the table and smiled. Cassandra had grown so much over the past couple of years, both physically and emotionally. Mary was so proud of her daughter and her ballet dancing. She could see ballet in everything Cassandra did, every move she made, so graceful despite being only fifteen. And, closing her eyes, she thanked God for Finn. Without his help looking after Cassandra, she'd never have been able to afford this house. Daycare and mortgage. Soon Mandi is moaning. Vanessa and I smile at each other. After an hour and a half we have all had enough sun even though it’s late afternoon sun. It’s still the August sun. We walk into the house and head for our own bedrooms to take a shower. We all head out for a nice supper at a local restaurant. Good food, good conversation. Mandi tells us that she had another chance to visit Hedonism II. She met a young couple on the plane about four months ago and they invited her. ‘I really love that. " Your out of bed. Do you think it's wise?" Julie, I'm fine! I can't stay in bed knowing what fun everyone else is having. I want to get out and meet the rest of your family." Okay, Melanie's probably told you we are having a big family picnic this afternoon. But has she told you about the party we are going to on one of the neighboring islands?" No she hasn't." It our annual get together, of all the islands. The men wear tuxes and the women formal eveningwear. Some of the women's grown are out.