“We told you to buy yourself some more clothes,” Marissa said in an exasperated tone. “How are you gonna get a boyfriend wearing the same two shirts every day?!”

Teresa turned her attention to Marissa.

“That’s not what this is about. It’s about looking presentable. Why didn’t you buy any clothes, Vie?” Teresa questions.

Yvie bashfully plays with her hands.

“I didn’t want to put any extra burdens on you guys. Loons were tight enough.” Yvie admits.

Teresa sighs.

“You stubborn girl…” She hugs Yvie. “We could’ve taken that out of Mari’s Alcohol fund.”

“Have one drink a week and it’s still a problem…” 

“Well, you’ve got 45 minutes until your ferry. I wouldn’t want you to be late.” Teresa says. 

“Don’t worry, with my stamina, I could run all the way there.” She boasts, hitting her fist against her chest. 

Teresa places her hand gently on Yvie’s cheek. 

“You’ve grown so much in these last 10 years,” She says.

“She was almost a wild animal when we found her,” Marissa states. “The bite mark on my ass is still there.”

“N-no, it’s not! T-that was a long time ago!” Yvie exclaims.

“Anyway, if you have any guy trouble, just call me,” Marissa winks. “Here, it’s better to be safe than sorry.” 

She reaches into her bag and pulls out a magenta wrapper and hands it to Yvie.

“C’mon, Mari, I’m not so young you need to give me candy.” Yvie sighs, trying to make out the contents of the wrapper. 

“I mean… It’s cherry flavored, but it’s not candy.” Marissa nonchalantly spoke while sorting her bag.

Teresa smacks the back of her head.

“Just… Be safe out there.” Teresa says.

“I will.” She says.

Marissa wraps her arms around Yvie.

“Stop that,” Yvie exclaims while blushing and trying to break away. Teresa also wraps her arms around her, trapping her between them.

Surrounded by the older members of her family, she sighs. 

“Mari, you’re the older sister I never knew I needed. And Teresa, there’s no one I’d want more to be my mom.” Yvie admits.

The words hit them like a ton of bricks. Marissa was desperately trying to hold back her tears.

“Damn, there’s a lot of dust out today. Aw, hell, you’re like a sister to me, too!” Marissa exclaims, burying her face into Yvie’s shoulder.

Teresa was just silently crying tears of happiness. 

“Come on, guys, no need to cry… I’ll only be a ferry away,” Yvie says as she wipes her eyes. 

After finishing their emotional embrace, the children gathered around Yvie. She knelt to address them.

“Vie, please don’t go!” A girl exclaims, tears in her eyes. 

“Sorry, Serena, I have to. I want to repay my debt to Teresa and Marissa. I’m gonna go out there and make tons of loons to buy you all gifts.” Yvie says.

“For real? You'd better make good on that promise.” A boy says.

“Of course, Nicholas. Pinky promise.” She says.

“Bring me back some candy, please.” Another boy says.

“Gotcha, Key,” Yvie promises.

“I’ll take care of everyone while you’re gone. I am the oldest after all.” Another girl says.

“Thanks, Millie. I know you’ll do your best; just try not to argue with Nicholas so much, okay?” She asks.

Millie looks shaken up.

“Yeah… No promises there.” She says.

“I love you all,” Yvie says as she grabs them for a wide hug.

“We love you too,” Miles says.

After embracing for a moment, she rises from the ground and gives the kids one last look before grabbing her large brown rucksack. As Yvie prepared to leave, Teresa grabbed her hand.

“Happy birthday, Yvie,” Teresa states. She lays a thin card on Yvie’s palm.

“A ferry pass? How did you?” Yvie questions, trying to hold back her surprise. 

“We have our ways,” Marissa states.

She looks at Marissa with a blank expression, looking around before getting closer and whispering into her ear,

“Y-you didn’t steal this, did you?” She questions.

“Are you serious? It’s a birthday gift from everyone downtown.” Marissa states, throwing a hand to her hip. “Do I look like a criminal to you?” 

“You'd better get going; don’t wanna miss that ferry,” Teresa says.

“Thank you. I love you.” She says as she wraps her arms around both of them. 

“We love you too,” Marissa adds. “You'd better take care of yourself now.”

Yvie takes off running, and the two watch her as she disappears behind a thin row of trees. She passes by a pale man like a blur as he lights his cigarette. His hair was short and white, and he had a scar across his nose; his eyes were brown, and he had stubble across his jawline.

He barely manages to prevent himself from dropping it.

“Oh, Yvie.” He mutters. “Good luck, kid.”

“Thanks, Neo!” Yvie shouts back. “Be ready, I’m gonna rake in the loons and pay it all back!” 

“I just hope it’s in time, kid.” He mutters before continuing. 

He comes trodding past the treeline, and upon seeing his face, Teresa sighs.

“It’s your boyfriend again.” Teresa jokes.

“He’s not my… Hm… Well…” Marissa thinks.

“You both go out twice a week and do who knows what,” Teresa says.

“Exchange information, get something to eat. Nothing too crazy.”

“Good day, ladies. I, Neo Fracks, have come to collect today on behalf of Sandy Beaches.” Neo states.

“No need for the spiel every time,” Marissa says in exasperation. “So what’s on the menu today?”

“Well, there’s something I need to tell you about,” Neo states, urging her with his eyes. 

Noticing the urgent look, she sighs and turns to Teresa. 

“Can you take the kids home while I handle this?” Marissa questions.

“Very well. Just don’t be gone for too long. It’s your turn to make dinner tonight.” Teresa says. 

She and the kids begin making their way back up the hill to the orphanage. Marissa waited until they were out of earshot before turning back to Neo. The two of them began walking down the beach while discussing the information he had.

“So, gimme the bad news.”