“Where have you been?”

“In the shed.”

“Which one, there’s five of them.”

“The one with all the green and pick rocks in it.”

“That’s jade and rhinodite, Uncle Reg dug all of those up. He’ll make something special with them….like this ring….see? How did you get that grease all over your new pants?”

“Playing on the tractor. We were helping Uncle Reg with the cherry cannons. BOOM!”

“Thank you for helping your old Uncle Reg.”

“And I fell down running over to Mrs. Smith’s, she made finger-jello! What are you doing Aunt Dodie?”

“I’m baking twenty pies for a huge party.”

“Twenty! You can buy ’em at the store. Are you Poor?”

“Oh no honey. While you’re here, I’m the richest black woman in the valley. We’re having a special celebration for Black Victorians who settled most of this valley. See that photo on the wall? That’s your Great Great grandparents in a wagon in 1852.”

“Why are they all wearing white?”

“Nobody’s ever asked me that. I guess because they’re Victorian! Aren’t you smart and observant!”