The Coney Island boardwalk was crowded, cheerful families smiling and shrieking. The air was thick with the salty Atlantic breeze, but even that couldn’t wipe away the hot, buttery scent of fresh popcorn or the savory smell of those world-famous hot dogs, sizzling and succulent.

The rides jangle on either side of the crowded boardwalk, not far from the midway.

The Cyclone roller coaster was fast and rickety, and while like nothing close to the kind of danger the Phoenix family had faced, it was still enough to make Lorraine’s blood rush in her veins. The view of Brooklyn spread out from the coasters highest peaks before throwing her and Ashe downward, only to loop up again. Griffin and Kayla watched from the side, Kayla shrieking with delight.

A short time later, Lorraine stood with Griffin, Ashe and Kayla in line for Deno’s Wonder Wheel, the largest Ferris Wheel in the world by its own proclamation.

“It’s nice to get out,” Lorraine said, the sun warm on her cheeks.

“Family time,” Griffin said, cradling Kayla in his arms. “I hope Jeremy’s having fun, wherever he is.”

Lorraine sighed, “Yeah, I’m a little worried about Jeremy. I think since the shooting he’s become withdrawn, y’know? I feel like I came out of my shell, but then he crawled right into his.”

Griffin nodded. “He’ll be fine. If you wanna give him a few weeks off, tell him we’ll send him anywhere he wants to go, on the house.”

“Really?”

“Sure, full pay, too. He deserves it. Maybe we could fly your folks out for a few weeks.”

“Wow, Grif, they … they had the same idea.”

Griffin shrugged. “Only makes sense. I want the kids to know their grandparents, they're the only ones they’ve got.” Lorraine couldn’t ignore the sadness in Griffin’s face, but he abandoned it quickly and Lorraine didn’t want to linger on the subject.

“Y’know, my folks mentioned that they might be interested in setting up a learning center in Denver.”

Griffin gave it some thought. “That’s not a bad idea. We should be overseeing the pilot center though, don’t you think?”

“Definitely, yes.”

Griffin paused, leaning toward her just a bit more closely to gauge her response. “Unless you’d like to go out and do the pilot in Denver? It would be a lot easier to get the land, I’d think. And you could spend more time with your folks, your mom — ”

“No, I … I think for the good of the project that we should launch it in a … a more high-profile state.”

“Like New York.”

“New York, California, um, the Moon, just about anywhere.” They shared a chuckle, Kayla shrieked, and something else caught Lorraine’s attention. Ashe was still near the vending machine, but he wasn’t alone.

Lorraine muttered, “Mrs. B.?”

Griffin looked over. “What?”

Lorraine recognized the small, bent body, the graying hair, the twinkly smile. She and Griffin broke out of the line at once and crossed directly toward them. As soon as she was within arm’s reach, Lorraine pulled Ashe back, crossing her arms protectively over his chest.

Lorraine demanded, “What are you doing here?”

Marion Beemish stammered a bit, pointing into the crowd behind her. “I have a young ward on the tilt-a-whirl. I was waiting for him when I saw Ashe here and I just had to say hi.”

“So now you have,” Lorraine said.

“My dear Mrs. Phoenix,” Mrs. B, said, “I’m so sorry for the way things turned out between us. I hope you realize I was only trying to protect Mr. Griffin and Ashe here. But, I can see how very wrong I was.”

“That’s good of you to say,” Griffin said, no joy or warmth in his tone.

“Thank you, Mr. Phoenix. And may I say you’re looking well, you both are. And imagine my joy to hear Ashe being so … so talkative! I’m glad to hear the rumors are true.”

“Rumors,” Griffin said, “what rumors?”

Missus B. just smiled. “You both are quite famous or you were. Everybody was saying all manner of things.”

Lorraine asked, “Such as?”

“Just that things were going so well, my dear, that’s all.” Missus B. smiled again. “I know you don’t trust me, I don’t ask that. But, I would hope we could meet as friends under such … random circumstances.”

Lorraine couldn’t refrain from asking, “Are they random?”

“You don't think I’m …. I’m following you? My dear, I can hardly walk anymore!”

“Where’s this ward of yours?” Lorraine snapped back. “I’d like to meet him.”

“It’s all right,” Griffin said, one arm around Ashe’s shoulder, the other around Lorraine’s. “Nice bumping into you, Mrs. B.”

“Mister Phoenix, Ashe … Mrs. Phoenix.” Missus B. stood there while Griffin led his family away.

Lorraine said, “Why did you do that? I want to meet that kid!”

“You really think that old lady’s following us around?”

“I don’t think she’s some helpless old lady, Griffin, no.” After a skeptical moment, she had to admit, “But, I suppose it could easily be a coincidence.”

“They do happen, Lorraine.” After a few steps, he cautioned her, “Best we keep that in mind.”

* * *

After dinner that night, Griffin spent some time with baby Kayla who was fussy, while Lorraine saw Ashe to bed. He pulled up the bed covers and gazed out the window as Lorraine came in.

“Everything good?”

“Fine thank you, Lorraine.”

“Ready for bed?”

“If I can sleep.”

“Why not? What’s wrong?”

“I’m just thinking about my new play. I’m not sure what to write, except for the library story, the shooting — ”

“No, Ashe.”

“But, it would be such a great play, with the shooting and everything — ”

“There are lots of good stories out there to tell, Ashe. You’ll find the right one.”

“What if I already have?”

“Then keep looking, you’ll find another.”

“But … why? You wouldn’t let them make a movie of it either.”

“Because … because I did what I’d set out to do, to help the library. It wasn’t about me, Ashe, it was never supposed to be about me. The more it’s about me, the less it is about the library.”

“But, what about your clout? Dad says you have to spend it.”

“I am, on the learning centers. And honestly, I’d like to stay as far out of the limelight on this one as I can.”

“Because of what happened last time?” Lorraine didn’t answer and Ashe added, “Be honest … ”

Lorraine had to smile as she crossed the room and sat down on the side of his bed. “Maybe a little bit. But, I’m still doing this, just like I still did that. That’s the important thing, Ashe. It’s only being brave if you’re a little bit afraid. You understand?”

Ashe gave it some thought, finally nodding with a resolved half-smile. “Okay. But will you act in it if I write a different story?”

“Ashe, we already talked about this! Your play should be cast with actors your own age, that only makes sense. But, I’ll help with sets or something, whatever I can.” Ashe looked even more dejected. “Y’know, Ashe, being a writer / director, that’s a pretty big deal. It means you’re the guy in charge. And it gives you a reason to talk to every pretty girl in school.” This got Ashe’s attention, his gaze turning from the window. Lorraine went on, “And you don’t have to be bashful or anything, because it’s not like you’re asking them on a date. You’re interested in casting them in your play, that’s something any girl would want to hear more about.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s right.”

“Of course it is. Why do you think most people become directors in the first place? Not you, though, I’m not saying you're that type at all. But, as long as you’re doing it, you might as well enjoy the little perks, right?” Lorraine said convincingly

“I guess so. But, I’m new to school, people still don’t know me that well.”

“All the better,” she said, “that gives you mystique. When you turned up, you know what girls were thinking; ‘Who’s this homeschooled kid? The one on TV? Oh yeah, I’ve heard of him … ’”

“But you don’t like being famous,” Ashe said. “Maybe I shouldn’t, either.” his said disheartened.

“Well, you might have a lot more to offer than I do.”

“No way,” Ashe said. “You’re like … my hero or something.”

Those words sank into Lorraine’s mind, into her heart and soul and especially her conscience. “Well, let’s put it this way; For me, personally, I’m more interested in getting things done than in people knowing my name. The thing is, Ashe, one often follows the other. It’s kind of the risk you take for trying to help somebody out, that they might say, ‘thanks’. And there’s a certain responsibility to that, Ashe and there’s a risk. What if you try to help and it doesn’t work out? They don’t thank you then, they say things that are a lot worse, a lot more hurtful. But, okay, sometimes that happens, sometimes worse. But, we still take the chance, right? You decided on your own to go back to school last year and that was a scary choice for you. I was so proud of you for making that choice, especially because of the risks. And y’know what? I think it was the right choice, I think it’s working out great and I think you're working out great.”

Ashe smiled from his bed.

“And if you want to get this play done, it’s gonna be a risk. People may not like it, some actors won’t want to work with you, or they’ll quit along the way. But, you could also be great, inspire others, really make a name for yourself besides just being that homeschooled kid who was on TV that time. Right?”

“Right.” he agreed.

“So, don’t worry too much and over think it, just let it happen.” Lorraine heard her own words and knew immediately that she was speaking to herself as much as she was to Ashe. She and the boy had always shared a certain wounded perspective, but both had grown, found their own strength and their own voice. Now she had to lead by example, to love by example.

She gave him a little kiss on the forehead and said, “Get some sleep, maybe something will come to you in a dream.”

“Yeah,” Ashe said, dropping his head down onto the pillow and closing his eyes. Lorraine gave him a last, loving look before clicking off the light and closing the door.

In the hallway, Lorraine turned to see Griffin standing in front of her with a loving smile all his own. He said, “She’s asleep.” Lorraine smiled, knowing what he meant.