“What. Was. Your. Favorite.” He paused for another second to find a word, “present
that you have received? Ninja Turtle Sewer Playset for me.”
“A Care Bear doll,” Casey answered, smiling.
As she opened her mouth to ask the next question, William cut her off. “Which one?”
His sister had a Care Bear doll as a child. She took it everywhere until their
mother passed away.
Casey's mouth hung open as she stared at William.
“Will, you asked a follow-up question.”
William realized he broke the rules of the game. “I did, didn't I?”
“Yes, you did,” Casey retorted. “Since you lost, you’re buying my pancakes.” She
smiled and added, “You should feel lucky that was all I asked for.”
“My wallet appreciates your mercy,” William said with a smile.
“That's my other talent. Saving young men money,” Casey told him.
They both turned to the counter to see Manny and the other patron discussing
something. Casey turned back to William.
“Love-A-Lot,” she said. “The Care Bear was Love-A-Lot. I brought it to the beach
with my family, and it never came back.”
She paused. Her eyes lightened to a soft sky blue.
“My dad always said I forgot it, but I swear he left it there to keep sand out of
his station wagon.”
“Love-A-Lot?” William tried to picture it. He didn’t remember much about Care
Bears. His sister loved them as a child.
“My sister had Grumpy Bear. She carried that thing all over the place,” he told
her.
“Grumpy Bear!” Casey gasped, clutching her chest in mock horror. “That was the