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On the first Sunday home from Iraq, Toby hauls his damaged body up the back hill to the old water tank standing guard over their ranch. Resting in its shade, he sucks in lungfuls of sage-scented air and counts Black Angus scattered across the grassy slopes above the Pacific. The house squats below, shaded by Monterey pines that he and Angelita helped plant years before. Digging into a shirt pocket, he palms two white caplets and downs them with a swig from his canteen.
Smoke curls up from the barbeque pit. A bell rings. His mother hollers, “Toby, come on down.”
“Yeah, Mom. I’ll be right there.”
They’ve come to welcome him back: neighbors, his teachers, former high school buddies with their new wives, guys from the track team, all scattered under the trees. The first keg is history and the second half gone. But after years of living with crowds, Toby savors this solitude. He searches the side of the rusting water tank and finds Toby ♥ Angie, scratched into its dull green paint when they were twelve.More...

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Dani's deep blue eyes narrowed into slits as anger at her cousin, Mikey, took hold of her, then shifting her weight on the cushion, her expression softened a bit as her thoughts continued to race crazily.
“Everyone was mad at me, blaming me for not watching little Mikey! Stupid boy, should have just pushed me. It wouldn't have happened if he had! Well, I'm going to forget about it. I know..I'll go ride my bike! Make me forget what happened with Mikey yesterday...”
Springing off the window seat, she reached uner her night table, pulled out her striped sneakers, and ran down the hall stairs. She stopped short at the living room doorway...

Her mother was sprawled out on the couch, deep into a novel. “Mom loves to read! When she got the time! Dad won't be home till 6 or 7:00 p.m., which gave Mom her time to read before he gets home.”
“I'm riding my bike now, Mom,” Dani said.
“Good!” You should be outside more, playing with the other kids,” Mother said, putting aside the book she had been reading.
Dani didn't like the girls on the block. They didn't like to play the same games as she did!
“I'm riding by myself, not 'playing' with Lisa and Margo,” she huffed, standing rigidly. She was afraid her mother would force her to go play with those stupid girls who lived next door.
“Come sit beside me, Dani,” Mother demanded, patting the couch.
“But, Mom!” she protested, plopping into the cushion beside her mother. “I want to ride my bike ...”
Her mother ran her hand through Dani's long, curly hair and asked, “What has you so upset today, Dani?” “Nothing, Mom.”
“I know when you are upset about something, Dani.”
Sighing, she began, “Mikey. Yesterday, and him worrying me, you and Auntie Ann, and everyone blaming me...”
Mother cut in, “Don't be upset with Michael. Boys are known for running off like that, without warning.”
“But, Mom, he kind of blamed ME for running away! All because he got mad when I asked him to push my swing!” her nostrils flared as yet again anger took hold of her.
The scent of her mother's perfume invaded her nose. It was a mellow scent ...
“No, he wasn't blaming you,” Mother quickly interjected, seeing Dani's growing anger at her cousin. And putting an arm around Dani, consolingly, she said, “Think of the consequences if Michael hadn't been found at all, Dani!”
“I'll try,” Dani said, hugging her mother.
“I won't be out long, Mom.”
“The fresh air will do you some good, you'll forget all about what happened yesterday!” her mother said.
Disentangling herself rom her mother's embrace, Dani slid down the banister to the garage, yelling to her mother, “See you later!”
Then, hopping onto her blue two-wheeler, she rode out onto the street. Flying down a steep hill, once again thoughts of yesterday invaded the feeling of freedom riding a bicycle always gave her...

“I guess what Mom said is true. What if that kind man in the park hadn't seen me? Gosh! Who knew what was in those woods, anyhow? Could have been some creature who would have harmed me, and then Mom would have really worried not finding me or Mikey!” Suddenly stopping the bicycle, Dani sat and stared; she had spotted the 'stupid girls next door.'
One of them, Lisa, was walking on the other side of the street, and a boy younger than her was walking behind, carrying a load of books, as Lisa and Margo demanded he hurry it up! Dani still sat, shocked, as they hurried by on their way toward Lisa's house. Then pressing her feet to the pedals, Dani rode back toward home. All the way, the same thought kept running through her head... “I cannot believe Lisa and Margo! What crudes they are!” The memory of yesterday already forgotten...
Coming in from the cold of the night (for it had already started to turn dark out), Dani went in search of her mother. Delicious aromas, and the sound of silverware rattling, were coming from the kitchen area so she knew where she'd find her mom! Mother was preparing dinner for that night, before going off to night school.
“Dani!” she exclaimed, upon seeing Dani. “You were gone longer than expected, it's dark already!”
Dani watched as her mother placed a pot of steaming stew in the middle of the table, then plopping into a chair, said, “Sorry, Mom. I saw something interesting today....”
“Oh, and what was that?” asked her mother. “When I was riding my bike, I saw Lisa and Margo bossing this little boy around.... they were forcing him to carry a whole load of books for them! I don't want to be like them... maybe I was being too bossy with Mikey yesterday. If I was, I won't be like that anymore,” she said, staring into the stew. Its steam was spiraling into the air around them.
Hugging Dani, her mother said, gently, “I'm glad you've decided not to be angry with Michael. Boys can't help being wanderers! Now go wash your hands before supper because your father will be home any minute, and I must get to my class!”
Running to the bathroom, Dani flung back, “But I'm still mad at Mikey for blaming me, and getting everybody mad at me... he should have just pushed me on the swing!” Looking heavenward and sighing, her Mother began setting the table for the evening's meal...