“I’ll be back later!” I call out as I dash down the stairs, pushing past my sister.

“I’m right heeeeere!” Angela snips, imitating my loud yell.

“I wasn’t talking to youuuuuu. I was telling Violet.”

“Is she even home?” Angela asks, glancing back down the stairs. I shrug. Doesn’t matter.

“See ya!” I call. Anthony has promised me a delicious breakfast if I went with him on an errand, and I didn’t want to be late.


When we pull up to a house I’m confused. Anthony had a huge portfolio bag with him in the car and he’s rung the bell. He won’t tell me what we’re doing here but at least we’re not breaking into a school. And we don’t appear to be breaking into the house.


When a woman comes to the door, she greets Anthony with a smile. He makes quick introductions. Her name is Beth Wilson. She looks me up and down.

“Well, well, well. You’re one of the Pleasant girls, eh?” She says and I’m instantly nervous. What was this? After a moment she breaks into a warm grin and looks over at Anthony again.

“I can see why you’re enthralled with her.” she tells him and he blushes.


“Anthony tells me that you paint as well.” She says, and then asks me some questions. I don’t mention that I’ve barely touched a canvas in awhile. I HAVE been dabbling a bit. After some more chatting she invites us in. I still haven’t quite figured out what this errand is. As we head in, Anthony dashes back to the car to grab his portfolio bag before joining us inside.


I’m offered a seat and expect the other two to join me but they both get to work quickly. Anthony starts setting some paintings up on the wall, and Beth starts puttering in the kitchen. I sit quietly and try not to feel awkward. I glance over at Anthony and after a few minutes, he’s hung 5 giant paintings.


“Whoa...did you do these?” I ask. He nods and I can see that he’s blushing again.

“I usually do landscape stuff but Beth asked if I’d do some for her and this is what I ended up with. Not my usual style.” He explains. “I hope she likes them.” He adds quietly, obviously nervous about sharing his work.

Beth pauses with some eggs in her hands and stares at the paintings. I can see Anthony shifting uncomfortably. When she breaks into a wide smile, he sighs with relief. We watch as Beth walks over and looks at them.

“Those are my girls.” She smiles, pointing to the cows.

“I know the stuff I’d showed you was flowers and stuff, but this...seemed more like you.” Anthony explains. Beth looks at each one carefully and smiles.

“They’re perfect.” She tells him, pulling him in for a hug. I watch them, fascinated by the exchange. I had never painted for someone else before. The idea seemed...strange. But watching this...it seemed so genuine. I glanced at the paintings again. Each with a unique style but each one so synced up with the others.


It’s not too long before Beth’s husband Gerald and her son Stephen join us for breakfast. They are equally as thrilled with the paintings and the meal has a feeling that reminds me of sitting with my own family as a kid. I can see why Anthony likes it here.


“That was really nice. Thanks for taking me with you.” I say to Anthony when we get outside. “Your paintings are incredible.”

“Thanks.” He replies, shooting me a smile. “I was really nervous she wouldn’t like them.”

“I think you nailed it. She was so happy!” I reach over and squeeze his arm.

“AND the day is not over.” He smiles.

“You have more planned?” I ask. He’d only mentioned the errand and a meal.


“I do!” But you’ll want to go home and change first. Last time we did this, you ended up face planting in the mud.”

“Noooo, not fishing.” I groan but I’m smiling.

“YES fishing. AND this time we’ll make sure you catch more than a boot.”


Violet stares at herself in the mirror. Had she really asked Dave on a date? Had he really kissed her? What was she going to wear? The Harrington house? What was she going to WEAR? A glance at the clock, it was only mid day but Dave was coming to pick her up around 6pm. She’d assumed she’d just wear a dress from her closet but she’d tried them all on. It was no use. WHAT WAS SHE GOING TO WEAR?

This was a total mistake, she thinks.


Another glance at the closet as she makes her bed and fusses with the pillows. She could try her stuff on again but she knew it was no use. Did she even have time to go into town? There was the one boutique but she’d have to leave right away if she wanted to be back on time. Assuming she managed to catch the ferry.


She SHOULD be dashing out the door but Violet sits at the table staring at her salad. Why was she so nervous? She hears one of the girls coming into the house and hopes it’s Lilith. The last thing she needs is another head to head with Angela. She’d come home from the school the other day reeling about being “tattled” on, and Violet still hadn’t quite recovered.

She looks behind her. It’s Angela. Violet feels herself force a smile, hoping they’ve moved past the yelling. Angela let’s out what can only be described as a huff and then spins and turns around.


Violet takes a deep breath. She had refused to apologize for calling Rina Harrington but she COULD try and repair this...by asking for help.

“I need a dress.” She says quietly. She’s mortified. Asking a teen girl to help her shop for a date. But maybe it was what they needed. Angela freezes in the hallway.

“You want to borrow a dress?” She asks, turning around, sarcasm dripping from her voice. Violet takes another deep breath and doesn’t dare look over.


“For the masquerade ball. I don’t have a dress. I don’t own anything formal enough. I could use…” She pauses. “Help.”


Angela has waltzed back into the kitchen and Violet is sure that she stares her down for a solid minute. Maybe contemplating if this is worth breaking her vow of rage. Violet offers a hint of a smile.

“Isn’t the masquerade tonight?” Angela finally speaks. Violet nods.

“Is there even a store here?”

Violet shakes her head and Angela’s eyes go wide.

“We’d have to take the Ferry into Willow Harbour. There’s a boutique there. We’d have to leave now.”

Angela nods. “Ok, let’s go.”

And just like that, all was forgiven.


The ferry ride was proof that there were no longer any hard feelings. Angela chattered Violet’s ear off the entire time. They enjoyed the view and Violet was relieved that she was no longer public enemy number 1.


“Formal?” Angela asks, in serious shopping mode. Violet nods.

“Ok. You pick some things, I’ll pick some things and we’ll go from there.” All business. Violet nods and Angela gives her a look, sending her scrambling to find some choices.


Angela watches her carefully as she holds up different outfits and makes faces. Assessing what Violet likes and dislikes by watching her. She’d never seen Violet in anything formal, or even overly stylish but she’d only really seen Violet in work mode or pajamas. They finally land on a few different things and head towards one of the change rooms.


“Your outfit first.” Angela insists.


Violet struts out confidently in a bright dress. Angela’s mouth drops open.

“Is that a collar?” Angela asks, gaping. “On a formal dress?”

They stare at each other for a moment.


Violet looks at Angela, waiting for some feedback.

“I’m not speaking to you until you take that off.”

“I thought it was cute.” Violet replies, heading back in.


She comes out again and looks at herself in the mirror.

“Better. But it’s not it.” Angela says.

“Really? I like this one.”

“You liked the last one. Here. Try this.” Angela hands her a white dress with a nod of encouragement.


“Now THAT is gorgeous.” Angela gets up and smiles. She can tell Violet is uncomfortable but she has a plan. And so far it’s working.

“I can’t wear this. It’s...uncomfortable.” Violet crosses her arms over, feeling bare in something sleeveless and short.

Angela nods and hands her the next dress, knowing it’s the perfect one.


When Violet steps out, Angela breaks into a huge smile.

“Yes?”

Violet turns over towards the mirror and looks at herself. Fingers tracing the delicate embroidery. She swooshes the skirt and smiles.


“It’s perfect.” Violet reaches over and pulls Angela in for a hug. “Thank you.”


Anthony gives me a few pointers before we start and I’m determined to get this right. He catches fish almost daily. Surely I can catch ONE. He shows me the different baits and explains the benefits of each one. And then we cast out our lines and wait.

And wait. And wait.

“It’s kind of weird that the first time I met you, we spent like half a day sitting in silence.” I say, smiling over at him. He shrugs.

“It’s kind of weird that you followed me around and let me teach you how to fish. I like weird.”

“I didn’t FOLLOW you around. You were...interesting.” I tell him. He snorts a laugh and holds a finger to his lips.

“Shhh...you’re scaring my fish.”


I feel a tug on the line but he doesn’t notice right away. I start reeling something in. It feels like it’s pulling and when I get it up out of the water…

It’s a FISH!

Anthony laughs as he helps me unhook it.


“HA!” I declare, feeling as if I could take on the world. “I caught one!” I can feel my face beaming. This was a strange thing to take pride in, but after my first misadventure with fishing, I was feeling pretty impressed with myself.

Anthony congratulates me and then tells me to toss it back.

“WHAT?! You keep all of YOUR fish!” I state. Why couldn’t we keep this one?

“It’s too small. We can only keep the bigger ones.” He explains. I pout as I toss the fish back into the water. It’s possible that I stomp my feet a little too.


“Now THIS is a fish.” Anthony bellows as he reels in his own fish that looks suspiciously like the fish I’d just thrown back.

“It’s the SAME SIZE!” I argue.

“It’s fatter.”

“OMG - it’s the SAME fish.” I narrow my eyes at him. He just shrugs at me and puts it in the bucket. I turn my glare towards the water. I WILL catch another one. These stupid fish were about to to get caught.

When I feel a tug on the line again, I feel my heart beat race a bit. Another one so quickly? It tugs back and I know it’s not another boot. And it feels bigger. I spin the reel harder and harder and yank the line out of the water.


“HAAAA” I cry out. “THIS is a BIG fish!”

Anthony laughs and pulls in his own real to help me once again.

“I’m keeping this one.” I tell him and he shakes his head.

“And what are you going to do with it?”

“Who cares? It’s so much bigger than the one you caught!” I laugh.


“I mean LOOK AT IT!” I waggle it around and he laughs again, putting it into the bucket with his own fish.

“Catfish.” He says. “Looks like you caught dinner.”

“I sure did!” I cheer. “Wait...what?”

“Dinner. We’re going to have catfish for dinner.”


We pack up the equipment and leave it all at the cabin where Mr. Ranger lives. As we start heading back to my place, I feel a bit overcome with emotions. I reach over and give Anthony a big hug. I can tell I’ve surprised him. Heck, I’ve surprised myself but I squeeze tight anyway.


When we pull away, I apologize, feeling a bit embarrassed. He just smiles at me.

“I don’t mind the hugs, just maybe a bit of warning next time. You know...before you squeeze me half to death.” He smiles at me and I roll my eyes. It was nice to have a friend.