Louisiana competed in the Little Miss Central Florida Tire contest.

She wore her lucky bunny barrettes and a blue dress spangled with silver sequins. She did not twirl a baton. She sang “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.”

The contest was in the Finch Auditorium. Louisiana’s grandmother was there, and Beverly was there and Beverly’s mother and Raymie’s mother. And Raymie.

Ida Nee was there, but she did not look happy. Ruthie came from the hospital. And Mrs. Sylvester came from Jim Clarke Family Insurance. They all sat together.

Raymie’s father was not there.

Raymie was not surprised — she was only happy — when Louisiana won the contest and was crowned Little Miss Central Florida Tire.

Later, after Louisiana was presented with a check for one thousand nine hundred and seventy-five dollars, and also with a sash that said LITTLE MISS CENTRAL FLORIDA TIRE 1975, Beverly Tapinski and Raymie Clarke and Louisiana Elefante went to the top of the Belknap Tower, even though Louisiana was afraid of heights.

“I’m afraid of heights,” said Louisiana, who was still wearing her crown and her sash. She kept her eyes closed and lay on the floor of the observation deck.

But Raymie and Beverly stood at the railing and looked out.

“See?” said Beverly to Raymie.

“Yes,” said Raymie.

“Tell me what you are seeing,” said Louisiana, who was facedown on the floor and refused to stand up.

“Everything,” said Raymie.

“Describe it,” said Louisiana.

Raymie said, “I can see Swip Pond and the swans and Lake Clara and the hospital. I can see the Golden Glen and Jim Clarke Family Insurance. I can see Ida Nee’s house and the Tag and Bag Grocery. I can see Building Ten.”

“What else?” said Louisiana.

“I can see Ida Nee’s moose head, and I can see the candy-corn jar on Mrs. Sylvester’s desk. I can see the ghost of Clara Wingtip. I can see the yellow bird from the Golden Glen.”

“Is he flying?” said Louisiana.

“Yes,” said Raymie.

“What else?” said Louisiana.

“I can see Ida Nee twirling her baton. I can see Ruthie. She’s waving at us. And there is Archie. And Bunny.”

“Don’t call him ‘Bunny,’” said Beverly, who had renamed the dog Buddy.

After a while, Beverly went and picked Louisiana up and brought her to the railing.

“Open your eyes,” said Beverly, “and look for yourself.”

Louisiana opened her eyes. “Oh, my goodness,” she said. “We’re up so high.”

“Don’t worry,” said Beverly. “I’m holding on to you.”

Raymie took hold of Louisiana’s hand. She said, “I’ve got you, too.”

The three of them stood like that for a long time, looking out at the world.